Lunch/Learn Tree Fruit - February 10th, 2021
The Mid-Atlantic Fruit & Vegetable Convention is VIRTUAL in 2021!
Color Enhancing Technologies for Apples: Reflective Fabrics and Defoliators
Our VP, Blake Slaybaugh participated in a virtual discussion panel on color enhancement technologies and their availability to tree fruit producers including reflective fabrics/films and defoliators. Blake was joined by 5 others on this panel for the discussion. Throughout this panel Blake had the opportunity to share he likes and dislikes of the color reflective cloth that Mt. Ridge Farms has used in the past. The panel discussed the over all benefits and some of the challenges farmers face with this particular types of products. This virtual discussion panel opened dialogue for other farmers to ask questions and review with the panel there over all thoughts.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Mt. Ridge Farms has tried both reflective cloths and overall has seen some benefit from the products on the market. However, there comes challenges with certain products that may cost more time than benefit. In the industry of Ag, labor is usually your number one expense. Making sure we, here at Mt. Ridge, are implementing new methods that save us time but also provide us benefit, is critical. Reflective cloth, although does provide major coloring improvements, still requires labor and time. Many farmers have developed methods to help improve these processes. On the panel other farmers explained equipment that they have crafted to create more efficiencies with the layout and removal processes of these reflective cloths. Mt. Ridge Farms will continue to trial run and implement these types of coloring tools, but with close assessment for cost and time.
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