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Real-time harvest quality data helps potato profits

Potato growers are using technology and real-time data to get the most money for their crop.

Madhu Jamallamudi is an analyst with AgroMetrics, and works with growers to make use of quality grading data as potatoes are being harvested.  Jamallamuidi tells Brownfield new crop data from USDA inspectors and processing plants is getting back to growers while they are still harvesting.  He says, “We collect that information in real-time, automate it, analyze it, and then make automated phone calls to the grower, for example, if there is too much bruising going on, the grower can be notified in real-time so that they can change the settings on the harvester and minimize the bruising.”

 

Jamallamudi says potato processing plants typically pay between 9-dollars and 10.50 per hundredweight, depending on the quality, so bringing in the best crop with less bruising means more money in the bank.

Jamallamudi spoke with Brownfield at the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association business meeting in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.