•
NEWS
•
THE
VEGETABLE
FARMER •
MAY 2018
Tong Engineering is now
offering its latest automated
optical sorter as an option
within its Caretaker mobile
grader and static grading lines.
The optical sorter for dirty crop
can be specified as a stand-
alone unit or within a complete
intake grading line, to replace
manual removal of stones and
clod from crop. This option can
also be retrofitted to customer’s
existingmachines.
The new feature, which is
capable of sorting up to 40
tons of potatoes per hour, is
already proving it’s worth. “One
of our most recent Caretaker
installations that features the
optical sorting system, is for a
large potato grower and
processor in France, where the
integrated optical sorter is
working very well on dirty
crop,” explains Charlie Rich,
Export Sales Manager at Tong
Engineering.
“The addition of the optical
sorter, which is built upon the
Caretaker’s heavy-duty chassis,
has meant that they are now
achieving very consistent and
reliable removal of debris from
cropwithout any manual
inspection, and at high
capacities.”
When specified as an option
on the Tong Caretaker grader,
the optical sorting unit is fitted
in place of a standard
inspection table, working very
accurately on unwashed crop,
separating foreignmaterial
from crop. Using the latest
camera technology, the optical
sorter scans all items whilst in-
flight to identify and separate
crop from clod, stones and
foreign objects includingwood,
plastic, glass, bone, rubber,
metal andmore. Themachine
offers effective separation for a
wide range of potato varieties,
includingmain, seed and
processing crop. “Whilst we are
offering carrot and potato
processors advanced optical
sorting of washed cropwith the
increasingly popular Visar
optical sorter, the removal of
stones and clod from dirty crop
still remains a somewhat
manual process for most. This
new optical sorting option now
offers growers and fresh pack
companies a fully automated
system, which essentially
removes the need for inspection
staff at this stage in the
process,” says Charlie.
AHDB’s Cereals and Oilseeds and its Potatoes Knowledge
Exchange (KE) Teams have united to create a single Arable Team –
bringing together a wider range of expertise for the industry. As a
result, four new roles have been created, taking the headcount in
arable knowledge exchange from 20 to 24.
Rob Clayton, AHDB Strategy Director for Potatoes, said: “Our
Knowledge Exchange Teams exist to help farming business in the
UK to becomemore profitable and resilient. This can be achieved
by adopting the latest technical and scientific advances and good
growing and production practices.
“Our analysis to date points to a relatively positive post-Brexit
picture for potatoes. But taking advantage of this depends on
strong links between researchers, agronomists and growers, and a
platform for discussion between farmers and their peers. We
believe that through expanding and aligning our Arable KE Teams,
we will be best placed to deliver this.”
The new roles, two regional KEManagers and two knowledge
transfer (KT) positions based at AHDB Headquarters in Stoneleigh,
are potatoes focused – increasing Potatoes KE headcount from six
to 10. The number of cereals positions remains unchanged at 14.
Individual teammembers will retain their existing sector focus,
but are encouraged to look for opportunities towork together.
They will report to a single Head of Arable KE, Tim Isaac – formerly
Head of Cereals and Oilseeds KE.
Chair of the AHDB Potatoes Board Dr Sophie Churchill OBE said:
“Being part of a strong and larger Arable Team allows our Potato
KEManagers to better support growers whomix their potato crop
with other arable crops. It also allows them to access a broader
and deeper range of expertise to the benefit of the potato sector.
“Critical issues such as soil health are best considered in an
integratedway across the farm and its rotations. But we shall also
continue to focus on the specific issues for potato cultivation,
which requires a high level of specialist knowledge and skills.”
Information on the new positions can be found at;
potatoes.ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-exchange-team
4
AHDB Knowledge Exchange teams
join forces
Optical sorting option for Tong Caretaker
Arysta LifescienceboostsUK
technical team
As part of a continued growth
strategy, Arysta LifeScience UK
& Ireland has appointed a new
member for their technical
team. Stephen Olive will take
on the role of Technical
Support, specialising in
vegetables, fruit and
ornamental crops.
27-year-old Stephen from
Leicester, previously worked for
Eurofins in trials. In his new
position, he will contribute to
product development as well
coordinate trials and provide
customer support.
Stephen, who studied at
Harper Adams University, said:
“As well as supporting
development work, I’m looking
forward to taking on specific
projects, such as supporting the
organic sector with our growing
biosolutions offer. Taking on
this role will strengthenmy own
personal knowledge within the
horticultural sector and I am
excited to be joining a
progressive and innovative
global company.”
Arysta LifeScience Product
Development & Technical
Manager for UK & Ireland, Don
Pendergrast, said: “Stephen’s
trial management knowledge
across a wide range of crops
will help to strengthen our
ability to deliver technical trials
to the highest standard,
providing us with the data
required to support our
expanding portfolio. We are
delighted towelcome him to
the team.”
Tong’s latest automated optical sorter can be retrofitted to customer’s
existingmachines.
Stephen Olive.
