Pruning Techniques Optimized For Yield And Cost With Agerpoint

CHALLENGE

Evaluate current tree pruning practices to verify and validate the impact on yield and reduction of management costs.

Our client ran trials to review their pruning methods effect on yield and management costs. Yield is measured on a per variety basis and is attributed down to the individual tree. In addition, the management costs includes not only the labor costs for pruning, but also debris management.

SOLUTION

Combining data collected by Agerpoint, we were able to create a year-over-year yield visualization on a variety basis.

Over a three-year period, Agerpoint collected data across the identified blocks and throughout the almond harvest season.

Yield data was collected by attaching a collection system to client-supplied vehicles and scanning during harvest. This data was then transformed into representative volume indices and matched to the specific plant and its associated row within a block. With this syncing of location, data could be married to provide insights relating to pruning management.

RESULTS

Agerpoint was able to derive that some pruning techniques decreased yield versus normal pruning practices, but some actually increased yield.

Values from Agerpoint showed that the di­fferent canopy management techniques had significant impacts on yield three years after the pruning. Di­fferences ranged from a 3% increase to a 11% decrease in value per acre versus normal pruning practices. Further, the data showed that the di­fferent pruning techniques had little impact on tree height. Based on these insights, the client is now able to compare the cost of the diff­erent pruning practices with the impact on yield to determine the most cost e­ffective pruning method.