May. 13, 2024
Agriculture
When discussing which country excels in high-tech automation for controlled environment food production, the Netherlands often comes to mind. Chris Higgins, president of Hort Americas, a commercial horticultural supply company in Bedford, Texas, mentions that the industry tends to talk about high-tech and low-tech solutions without considering the specific needs of individual growers.
“The reality for farmers is that we should be talking about the right tech,” Chris said. “Many in the industry have allowed a Venlo glass greenhouse to dictate how U.S. growers view technology in most high-tech applications. Some U.S. growers might think that without Venlo greenhouses, they can't have high-tech operations.”
Chris highlighted the use of high tunnels in California strawberry farms as an example of effective, yet not necessarily high-tech, farming. These tunnels often feature raised gutters on fence posts.
“These high-tunnel structures are optimal for controlled environment strawberry production because the climate is nearly perfect,” he said. “Why build greenhouses if they aren't needed? Does this make the technology low-tech?”
Chris added that high tunnels might not be high-tech in terms of controlling temperature and humidity, but they could have advanced irrigation systems. He noted that these strawberry growers are exploring investments in advanced robotics systems for tasks like harvesting, spraying, or transportation.
“Technology requirements will depend on solving various problems for farms based on what they can afford to support growth or profitability,” Chris said. “Why invest in high-tech if a grower doesn't need it?”
Chris identified labor and utility costs as the top issues growers face today and in recent years.
“The inflation tied to labor and utilities has outpaced the price increases farms can charge for their products,” he said. “If there is technology that helps growers address these issues, that's where they should invest.”
Energy costs, often related to climate control, are a significant concern in regions where year-round production is not naturally feasible. These costs can be calculated easily, considering factors like geographical location and specific utility usage.
“How much energy savings are being realized? How many running hours are on a piece of equipment per year?” he asked. A grower can calculate savings against their investment in new equipment, and if the payback period is three to five years, they should seriously consider upgrading.”
Joe Swartz, vice president at AmHydro, emphasized that there is no single automation solution for labor and energy issues.
“Many factors are involved, including the type and level of automation, and the specific application,” Joe said. “Automation can range from repetitive tasks to AI-driven data collection and analysis.”
Swartz mentioned that AmHydro helps growers improve efficiency, often aiming for cost savings, improved food safety, or workplace safety. “It's about making more money for growers or freeing up their time,” he said. “Growers should focus on streamlining operations to produce more using less, and to do it faster and better.”
Joe noted that many existing growers are looking to cut costs and labor requirements.
“Labor has become a significant pain point,” he said. Growers often feel compelled to automate because of rising labor costs. “We at AmHydro look at the overall process to identify and fix efficiency issues, sometimes with existing tools.”
Material handling is another pain point for growers of all sizes. Automating this process, whether through carts or conveyor systems, can save labor and improve safety.
“Material handling can include everything from moving plants to automated packaging and shipping equipment,” Joe explained. Other considerations include crop scouting and health analysis, which may involve automated nutrition and water management systems.
Small-scale controlled environment growers face challenging decisions about where to invest limited funds—in outdoor fields or indoor greenhouses.
“Small growers need to consider factors like market size, climate, and cost of land when making equipment decisions,” said Peter Konjoian, founder of Konjoian's Horticulture Education Services. Peter is working on the Small Greenhouse and Farm Technology (SGAFT) project to help small growers make informed equipment-buying decisions.
“How does the potential for more crop turns in a greenhouse compare to seasonal outdoor production?” Peter asked. “Answering this can guide investment in the right technology.”
SGAFT will provide educational materials tailored to smaller operations, showing them affordable, implementable technology. “One goal is to help small growers understand their current tech level and plan their next steps wisely,” Peter said.
Peter also categorizes automation technology into various areas like irrigation, environmental controls, and glazing. “Each category has a progression of technology, from entry-level to state-of-the-art,” he explained. “Good decisions are crucial as there's never enough money to do everything.”
Managing the pressure to achieve the highest level of technology in one step is also essential. “We don't skip steps when climbing a ladder; that's dangerous and irresponsible,” he said.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of what is a container farm. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
David Kuack is a freelance technical writer in Fort Worth, Texas. He can be reached at dkuack@gmail.com.
Editor’s Note: Dr. Kacira is an associate professor in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department and Controlled Environment Agriculture Center at the University of Arizona.
Many elements must be taken into consideration when choosing the type of greenhouse to construct. These include market size, climate, plant requirements, water quality, land cost, zoning restrictions, availability of materials, equipment, and labor, as well as capital availability.
The anticipated production quantity and quality also play a role when selecting a design. A balance should be established based on market demand, grower skills, expected economic return, and the technology level for crop production.
Free-standing greenhouses can have A-frame or arch/curvilinear roof shapes, offering good light transmission and lower construction costs compared to peak-roof structures. Arch-roof greenhouses (also known as gothic) are adaptable to both rigid and flexible glazing materials.
They can be modified into various designs like Quonset greenhouses, which can be used for nursery purposes or as high tunnel greenhouses for vegetable production.
The ridge and furrow type greenhouse consists of multiple connected greenhouses along the length, providing more growing space. These structures are often used in commercial floriculture and vegetable production.
Gutter-connected greenhouses are less expensive to build, conserve ground area, and are more energy-efficient. Venlo-style greenhouses, originating from Dutch horticulture, offer improved light transmission, making them suitable for Northern climates where winter sunlight is limited.
Retractable roof greenhouses, designed as flat roof or A-frame types, offer basic protection or a complete crop production system. They allow the grower to open the structure fully or partially for better ventilation and more light. Open-roof greenhouses provide a natural environment when the outside climate is suitable and a protected environment when it's not.
For improved crop production and quality, careful selection of greenhouse structure, glazing, and climate control system is necessary. Proper design to withstand load factors is crucial, and the National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA) provides standards for this purpose.
For more Strawberry growing greenhouse hydroponics system information, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
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