Since 2006, Canada-based Croptracker has been using artificial intelligence and computerization to assess the size and quality of different produce varieties. Back then, the company’s farm management software system started with spray records and new modules have been added over the years. One of the more recent modules built is Crop Load Vision: a system that was designed to assist growers with a fast and accurate crop load assessment. “Growers don’t want too much fruit on the tree as it results in smaller pieces of fruit,” says Matt Deir, founder and CEO of Croptracker. “At the same time, too much thinning results in less fruit and individual pieces that are too big.” A lot of time and money goes into trying to get the right amount of fruit on the tree.
Crop Load Vision
There are two components to the Crop Load Vision system. The first one is the fruit count. This usually takes place earlier in spring when the fruit sets on the trees. “The count is very important as it determines how much fruit needs to be thinned,” said Deir. The second component is the module that will size the fruit. “This is usually relevant during the later stages of growth when growers are trying to time their harvest. They are looking to get their fruit into a certain target zone in order to maximize their profits,” Deir added.
Scanning with mobile device
To get the optimum fruit size, chemical processes as well as manual processes are being used. “Most of them are time consuming and very expensive,” commented Deir. “The big difference between our system and the systems that competitors use is that ours is done in real time and on a mobile device,” he shared. It’s just a matter of scanning the tree with a mobile device. “Many systems out there rely on an expensive proprietary camera that is mounted on an ATV or on a tractor, used for driving up and down the rows. Another benefit is that our system does not require any diesel and there is no carbon footprint. In addition, no special (drone) licensing is required. As a result, we are able to price our system very competitively.” Fruit is being counted in real-time as the mobile phone is being moved and the results are available instantly.
Click on the video below to see how the app works.
Global reach
Crop Load Vision launched in Canada this past October and the feedback on results has been positive. In addition, a few growers in New Zealand are piloting the system now and it will be further rolled out to growers in the northern hemisphere this spring as their growing seasons are starting up. Crop Load Vision is primarily focused on apples, pears, peaches, and nectarines. However, the company has plans to expand into several other commodities, including citrus, cherries, and potentially tree nuts.
Finalist Fruit Logistica Innovation Award
Deir believes that the combination of Croptracker’s system being cheaper as well as faster to get results has sparked the interest of the panel at Fruit Logistica Berlin. As a result, Crop Load Vision has been nominated for the 2024 Fruit Logistica Innovation Award. "We are thrilled to be recognized as a finalist," Deir said. "We are proud to be among the select group of companies acknowledged for their commitment to advancing the industry."
In addition to Crop Load Vision, Croptracker also offers Starch Quality Vision that allows apple growers to perform starch tests faster and more accurately. The Harvest Quality Vision module determines the color and size distribution of harvested produce within seconds with a simple bin scan, using a mobile device. All the advancements in farm management technology will be highlighted in Berlin. “Our system has been designed to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and empower growers to make data-driven decisions. We are looking forward to providing live demonstrations and showing our products in Hall 3.1, stand D-35.
For more information:
Jeff Chemeres
Croptracker, Inc.
Tel: (+1) 416-908-8672
jeff@croptracker.com
www.croptracker.com