Many believe mechanical harvesting must be broadly adopted in Florida for citrus growers to be competitive and survive. In this series, a grower and researchers discuss many mechanical harvesting issues, ranging from impediments to its adoption to the promise it holds.
In the first report, multi-county citrus extension agent Mongi Zekri and Duda grove manager Mark Colbert say most mechanical harvesting occurs in Southwest Florida; Colbert tells why.
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University of Florida researcher Jim Syvertsen says mechanical harvesting doesn’t harm trees or reduce fruit yield.
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In these reports, University of Florida economist Fritz Roka discusses the potential savings mechanical harvesting offers, and the impediments to its adoption.
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The problem of trash in mechanically-harvested fruit is addressed by University of Florida researcher Tim Spann.
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University of Florida researcher Reza Ehsani discusses possible future harvesting aids.
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The types of trees and plantings that growers should use to prepare for future mechanical harvesting are addressed by University of Florida researcher Bob Rouse
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Grove manager Mark Colbert concludes the series with his views on the promise that mechanical harvesting offers, and tells what will entice him and others to use mechanical harvesting in the future.
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