Growers are facing the perfect storm of labour shortages, changes to piece rate rules, increasingly sophisticated consumer preferences and the ongoing unpredictability of COVID.

Given the critical world-wide supply issues that are impacting manufacturers and logistics providers, this means that now – more than ever – equipment needs to be ordered well ahead of time.

“While Australian growers have always been innovative, the above factors are driving a further push towards leading-edge solutions, including embracing products in the Inspired Ag range,” says Catriona Saunders, Inspired Ag’s chief operating officer.

Ms Saunders said the Inspired Ag team has been working hard with their suppliers to ensure that despite the global challenges, Australian growers are still able to access their world-class products.

Save labour with leaf removal

“A newer piece of labour-saving technology – the Olmi leaf remover (pictured above) – is gaining traction in Australia. It is being used about 10 to 14 days before harvest to remove leaves that are covering fruit, exposing the fruit to sunlight. For optimal results, orchardists are using the Olmi, followed by our ExtraSun reflective matting to get fantastic colouring,” Ms Saunders said.

Using only one tractor operator, an Olmi leaf remover can cover over three hectares per day – a significantly lower labour cost when compared to summer pruning. “Given labour pressures, orchardists are pleased that they can divert the summer pruners to other value-adding orchard activities,” she said.

For orchardists, the value equation of using an Olmi is simple – they save on the high cost of summer pruning and increase their class one packout. Other benefits can include reducing the number of picks and the potential to bring forward the timing of crops to achieve better market prices.

“We have a handy calculator on our website where growers can get an idea of the value they can derive on their own orchard from using an Olmi,” Ms Saunders said.

“Growers are also extending the use of their Olmi by using it on their nectarines and red pears – we even have an orchardist who is considering trialling it on his persimmons!”

Protecting your most valuable asset

Inspired Ag has developed a range of retractable hail nets (pictured below). Ms Saunders said the team measures each block, then gets the product made-to-order by its manufacturers.

The team has also developed a complementary steel structure system to support the netting. “Critically, the steel structures have been designed to be self-installed and we also have a service where our team can spend a few days with the orchard team helping them learn the system and then be on call for any questions,” she said.

“Excitingly, our R&D team have been working on an automated retractable netting solution where the netting can retract and deploy at the push of a button. This would lead to huge labour savings and also add flexibility to respond to the weather. And we haven’t forgotten cherry growers – we are working on a retractable rain cover solution too!” she said.

Preserve fruit quality with orchard platforms

Due to critical labour shortages and the recent changes to the piece rate rules, Ms Saunders said the Inspired Ag team was seeing a lot of interest in orchard platforms. “Our customers are seeing incremental savings from the Billo platforms; not only in harvest, but year-round for pruning, thinning, tree-training and installation of structures."

She said the flat-deck models give plenty of scope for supporting year-round activities and they come in both a large flat deck, or in a split deck where the team can work at different heights.

The conveyor model takes harvest efficiencies to a new level, preserves the quality of fruit, and broadens out the picking labour pool. All Billo models can be built bespoke with a large number of add-on accessories and modifications.

Ms Saunders said the Inspired Ag team is continuing to grow its range of exciting equipment by developing new products and bringing innovative technologies to Australia. “Get in touch with us to discuss your equipment needs today.”