Potato harvest is nearly complete for RG Abrey Farms in Norfolk, which has been pioneering an innovative camera-based system to drive yield and marketability across its potato crop.

Yields are promising compared with last year’s drought-hit crop, with 120 lorry loads of maincrop and salad potatoes supplied to supermarkets each week during the June-to-October lifting period.

This is despite a challenging planting season that saw crops battle cold, wet spring conditions.

“Salads yielded well, but maincrop potatoes have been tougher. Crops were half their desired height in June due to such cold growing conditions.

“However, we’ve been pleasantly surprised in some cases,” says farm manager Chris Marsh.

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Camera-based system

For the past three seasons, Abrey Farms has used Harvest Eye’s unique camera system to measure the size and count of potatoes at the point of harvest.

As most potatoes are sold fresh from the field to the supermarkets, daily reports generated from the device provide essential real-time information on a field’s precise size profile to improve marketability.

Potato sales executive Marianne Goodchild explains: “The technology provides critical sizing information which helps us in terms of marketing and agronomy decisions.

“We want to maximise every output from the field and we need accurate and live data to achieve this.”

She explains how streamlined logistics and planning have considerably cut fuel and labour costs – for example, by supplying produce straight from field to customer.

“Rather than having tractors and trailers haul every box back to the yard, increasing wear and using valuable time, we’re loading on a nearby concrete pad and supplying 120 lorry loads of potatoes each week to supermarkets.

“Our harvest period runs from June to October, so marketable yield data is key,” she says.

Harvest Eye 2.0

An updated Harvest Eye system, which fits to existing potato and onion harvest or grading line equipment, has recently been unveiled.

The firm’s sales account manager, Ed Strawson, says the latest updates include faster processing power and greater sizing accuracy.

“Harvest eye 1.0 was a three-component system consisting of a tablet in the cab, camera over the picking table and a computer enclosure, whereas the relaunched version has just two components: the camera and tablet, which makes it simpler to install.”

Furthermore, the tablet’s greater processing power accurately detects individual potato length, width and shape. Detection in challenging light conditions has also improved.

“Harvest Eye 2.0 delivers accurate detection of individual potatoes with a precise sizing mechanism. We are also looking at development in other root crops such as sweet potatoes,” says Ed. 

Cost

Various commercial models are available to suit individual farmers and packers. These include an outright purchase for £9,950, an annual subscription service of £1,500 or a rental agreement of £3,500/year.

Nineteen-year-old brings in the spud harvest

Caitilin Barnes © MAG/Emma Gillbard

Caitlin Barnes, 19, has worked for Abrey Farms for more than a year and this season marks her first time driving the potato harvester.

“Harvest is going pretty well and between myself and three other harvester drivers we try to maximise output as best we can.

“We’ve been doing some long days while the weather has been optimal for lifting and, all being well, we will hopefully finish harvest in October,” she says.

Abrey Farms is a family business, near Thetford, producing fresh produce and combinable crops, including potatoes, onions, shallots, carrots, maize, rye and winter wheat.