Gallardo, Karina R. (author), Stafne, Eric T. (author), Devetter, Lisa Wasko (author), Zhang, Qi (author), Li, Charlie (author), Takeda, Fumiomi (author), Williamson, Jeffrey (author), Yang, Wei Qiang (author), Cline, William O. (author), Beaudry, Randy (author), Allen, Renee (author), and Washington State University
Mississippi State University
University of Georgia
University of Florida
Oregon State University
Michigan State University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2018-02
Published:
United States: American Society for Horticultural Science
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 11 Document Number: D10337
7 pages., Via online journal., The availability and cost of agricultural labor is constraining the specialty crop industry throughout the United States. Most soft fruits destined for the fresh market are fragile and are usually hand harvested to maintain optimal quality and postharvest longevity. However, because of labor shortages, machine harvest options are being explored out of necessity. A survey on machine harvest of blueberries (Vaccinium sp.) for fresh market was conducted in 2015 and 2016 in seven U.S. states and one Canadian province. Survey respondents totaled 223 blueberry producers of various production sizes and scope. A majority (61%) indicated that their berries were destined for fresh markets with 33% machine harvested for this purpose. Eighty percent said that they thought fruit quality was the limiting factor for machine-harvested blueberries destined for fresh markets. Many producers had used mechanized harvesters, but their experience varied greatly. Just less than half (47%) used mechanical harvesters for fewer than 5 years. Most respondents indicated that labor was a primary concern, as well as competing markets and weather. New technologies that reduce harvesting constraints, such as improvements to harvest machinery and packing lines, were of interest to most respondents. Forty-five percent stated they would be interested in using a modified harvest-aid platform with handheld shaking devices if it is viable (i.e., fruit quality and picking efficiency is maintained and the practice is cost effective). Overall, the survey showed that blueberry producers have great concerns with labor costs and availability and are open to exploring mechanization as a way to mitigate the need for hand-harvest labor.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D07180
Notes:
Pages 103-111 in Helene Bie Lilleor and Ulrik Lund-Sorensen (eds.), Farmers' choice: evaluating an approach to agricultural technology adoption in Tanzania. Practical Action Publishing, Warwickshire, UK. 154 pages.
Gausset, Quentin (author) and Larsen, Anna Folke (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2013
Published:
Tanzania
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D07181
Notes:
Pages 113-123 in Helen Bie Lilleor and Ulrik Lund-Sorensen (eds), Farmers' choice: evaluating an approach to agricultural technology adoption in Tanzania. 154 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 146 Document Number: C23345
Notes:
From WireTap via the Omni Center for Peace, Justice and Ecology. 6 pages., Identifies 10 corporations as winners of the 2003 "Don't Be Fooled Awards." Includes three marketers of food products, tobacco products and forestry management concepts.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C21762
Notes:
Pages 191-203 in George Baourakes (ed.), Marketing trends for organic food in the 21st Century. World Scientific Publishing Co., Pte. Ltd., Singapore. 338 pages.
