Harvest in cherry and blueberry fields may be wrapping up for 2015, but the talk/buzz about a new technology continues with the new FairWeighTM system received rave reviews in commercial testing this year for its ability to pay pickers by weight and the way it dramatically simplifies harvest data entry at the day’s end.
FairWeigh™, commercially introduced during cherry harvest in the Northwest, is unique in a number of ways as it represents a package of components developed over three years.
The FairWeigh™ system provides accurate, on–the-fly measuring of the weight of fruit each picker harvests, using RFID technology to identify each picker separately. The process is rapid; within seconds, the fruit is weighed, the picker is credited for the weight of fruit, the weight is recorded digitally, a receipt is printed, and the picker is off to pick more.
Critically, the FairWeigh™ system is designed for variable orchard conditions, able to contend with uneven orchard floors – the scale is hanging and self-leveling.
The process is deceptively simple – pickers place their bucket on the scale and then swipe a simple wrist band to activate the system, recording the date/time, weight of fruit, and saving all transaction information on board.
In addition, the FairWeigh system provides a receipt for every bucket transaction so pickers know they are credited fairly and accurately for their work. This printer also provides end of the day checkout receipts that summarize each pickers’ productivity.
The FairWeigh allows growers to pay by weight, thus eliminating disputes over under-filled buckets. Pickers are therefore paid for every piece of fruit they pick and can dump their bucket when it’s convenient, whether it’s full or not. This means bin checkers are able to completely focus on fruit quality instead of whether the buckets are filled adequately.
An additional benefit of the FairWeigh system is the ease of entering harvest data into payroll. All records of every bucket picked are stored digitally onboard in a format that is easily uploaded to payroll software – no longer will office staff have to deal with stacks of picking cards.
The FairWeigh system was years in development, first seen as a concept in 2009, by Drs. Matthew Whiting, Yiannis Ampatzidis, and Mark DeKleine. In the past 4 years, the system has been through serious beta-testing and improvement in collaboration with growers. The system is manufactured and assembled in Eastern Washington.
“Over the lengthy time this concept was developed it was done so with the local fruit industry in mind,” says Dr. Whiting. “This included the two major elements of the process involved which are the growers and the pickers.”
“The focus on growers involves ways to improve efficiency in the harvesting of his fruit which can certainly be a contributor to his bottom line. The picker is likewise made more comfortable knowing the fruit he is helping to harvest is properly measured. Those two concentrations translate into less stress for both parties.” (for additional information contact Dr. Whiting at matthewwhiting@gmail.com or 509-781-1580)
Source: FairWeigh
