Labour-saving harvest techniques

April 2015 | Future Orchards® / AgFirst | Australian Fruitgrower article

Harvest efficiency is strongly influenced by how much non-picking work is built into the job. This article examines ways to reduce unnecessary movement and handling so a greater share of labour time is spent productively harvesting marketable fruit.

The discussion links picking efficiency with orchard design, fruit distribution, bin logistics and the use of labour-saving equipment. Narrow, accessible canopies and consistent crop load make it easier for pickers to maintain output and also improve the potential return from mechanised aids.

The article is a useful prompt for growers to measure harvest performance rather than relying on impressions. By identifying where time and effort are lost, managers can target changes in training, work flow and orchard design that reduce cost per bin.