Zeafruit and Harvest Innovation: Utilizing Technology for Sustainable Fruit Cultivation

In this insightful conversation, Steven from Zeafruit, a figure prominently involved in cultivating and distributing avocados and other fruits, engages in a dialogue with Galen, our Director of Applied Science at Felix Instruments. As they navigate the intricacies of sustaining a 12-month supply chain amidst the challenges posed by a single flowering event and unpredictable weather patterns, these two shed light on the pivotal role of technology in modern agriculture. Steven, with his hands-on experience in the field, shares the transformative impact of the F-751 device in optimizing harvest strategies, a proven indispensable tool in ensuring the quality and longevity of their produce.

From Steven: “The F-751 has been a game changer for our orchard operations. With faster measurements and regular updates, we can assess the Hass Avocado quality in 10 minutes instead of destructively testing for 24 hours. This saves us time across the 30 orchards we measure and reduces fruit wastage. We also utilize a Felix device at our pack shed for spot measurements, ensuring the quality of our exported products. The support from your team is amazing, and we discussed integrating the fruit maps program into our day-to-day operations. Looking forward to future updates!”

Towards the end of the interview, the focus is shifted to the future, highlighting the collaborative efforts to enhance the functionalities of the existing technology, integrating a holistic approach that encompasses weather and soil sensor data. This forward-thinking dialogue not only underscores the relentless pursuit of innovation but also paints a vivid picture of a future where technology and agriculture go hand in hand, steering towards a path of sustainability and quality. Whether you are a stakeholder or a technology enthusiast, this conversation is full of insights, weaving together the threads of experience, innovation, and a deep-seated passion for agriculture. Read on to find out more!

The Interview

Galen:

I’m Galen. I’m the Director of Applied Science I at CID bioscience and Felix instruments. I have mostly worked in doing a lot of the model development for these F-751 instruments, especially with avocado and kiwi fruit. I’ve been in New Zealand a lot lately for the kiwi fruit, and I’m very happy to have that opportunity because I love it there so much. So, why don’t you introduce yourself and tell me about Zeafruit and what you guys do?

Steven:
I am Steven, and I work at Zeafruit, a company that specializes in local market avocados and handles other fruits, including citrus, in Brisbane. We are affiliated with JAL, an export company. I am based in North Island bath linty, primarily focusing on kiwi fruit and avocados. I joined Zeafruit three years ago when we purchased the F-751 device in 2019 to assist in our operations. Our goal is to maintain a 12-month supply of our products, but it has been challenging due to recent storms affecting the quality and availability of our produce. Despite the challenges, we are committed to leveraging the capabilities of the F-751 device, particularly in the early and late seasons.

Galen:

I understand that achieving a 12-month supply of fresh avocados is the goal, especially when you’re not in Mexico and only have one flowering event. I’m curious to know more about the specific challenges you’re facing in trying to maintain a year-round supply. I had the chance to taste avocados grown in New Zealand and was impressed with the quality. You guys are doing a fantastic job.

Steven:

Thank you, we take great pride in maintaining that level of quality. Our main challenge stems from having just one flowering event in October, which means we manage three sets of crops across a season. The late end of our harvesting period stresses the trees, potentially leading to a biannual problem. Our strategy is to harvest about 70% of the fruit before the flowering begins. The F-751 device has been a game-changer for us, helping to identify which orchards have more mature fruits allowing us to target those for harvesting. We can keep the fruit on trees until March, but it comes with problems. We aim to pick the larger fruits first and work with nutritional plans to encourage the growth of larger fruits, although it doesn’t always work out due to factors like unpredictable weather, including cyclones, which we can’t control. It has significantly affected our ability to extend the harvesting period in recent seasons.

Galen:

Absolutely, unpredictable weather due to climate change is a global issue affecting everyone’s ability to sustain food sources. I experienced it firsthand when a cyclone prevented my planned visit in February. I’m curious about how you’re utilizing the device in the field to navigate these challenges. Can you share how your sampling strategy works, whether you are studying variations within trees or orchards and ensuring the right decisions are made based on dry matter variations?

Steven:

Since 2019, we have seen many developments in your company, making the recording feature on the device very useful reducing the need for extensive paperwork. With the introduction of fruit maps, we can now visualize data across the entire orchard, helping us understand the effects of different factors, like north-facing sunshine, on dry matter. We have optimized our use of the machine to conduct two scans on one side, finding this to be a time-efficient method that still provides accurate results. I collaborate with Johnny in the far north region to carry out this work, leveraging the updated features to enhance our approach. You’ve probably met Johnny.

Galen: Yes, I have.

Steven:

We work closely to determine the best approach to our orchards, adhering to an industry standard of sampling from the northeast side at knee-to-shoulder height. However, we sometimes go higher if necessary. We aim for the most accurate sampling possible, utilizing a method involving ten fruits two scans per side, totaling 40 scans. This approach has proven accurate and efficient, helping us avoid charges associated with failed tests while ensuring the sampled fruit remains on the tree.

Galen:

You have a structured approach leveraging the existing sampling structures and the non-destructive NIR technology for direct comparisons with traditional lab tests. I met John at the World Avocado Congress and learned about his positive experiences with the device in the north. Regarding the fruit maps feature, we are enhancing it in collaboration with Central Queensland University to include more functionalities like integrating weather and soil sensor data for a holistic view of the orchard conditions. We are in the final stages of developing a more user-friendly and functional platform, which we plan to launch in about two months. We will ensure a smooth transition of your existing data to the new platform and would like to set up a call to discuss this and give you a demo of the new interface. Meanwhile, I’m curious if you are considering exploring other factors or research avenues to support your 12-month supply goal beyond the current focus on tree positioning and sunlight directions.

Steven:

So, we’re starting trials where we scan the avocados before they leave the pack site, trying to figure out their shelf life based on the dry matter percentages. We’re looking at how they hold up in different markets –Asia, Australia, North America, you name it. The goal is to understand how long they last and avoid any issues when they arrive at the port, making things better for the customer at the end of the day. We’re digging deep into this; a lot is happening.

Galen:

That sounds awesome. It’s cool that you’re considering the journey from the orchard to someone’s grocery bag. For this study, are you planning to use the F-751 on the other end where the avocados are headed, or are you thinking of a more disruptive analysis?

Steven:

Well, it’s going to be a destructive analysis this time around. We’ve got two devices in the Bay of Plenty and one in the Far North, but nothing on the other end yet. They’ll be looking at many things – rots, Lindsell, coloration, seed coats, etc. Unfortunately, we must go the destructive route, but it will give us solid data on how the fruit holds up during travel. I always tell my growers the big plus with our machine is that we don’t have to touch or destroy the fruit; it stays on the tree, which we’re pretty happy about.

Galen:

Absolutely, non-destructively tracking the same piece of fruit from the packaging stage to the consumer is vital for traceability in all commodities, not just avocados. Speaking of which, I was under the impression that Australia is your primary export market. Is that correct?

Steven:

Well, it varies depending on the marketing company you’re referring to. We focus more on the Asian market, although Australia remains a significant avenue for others in our industry. The challenge with Australia is the fluctuating window of opportunity due to its increasing production volumes. So, we see Asia as a more reliable market despite the competition from South American imports. We are continuously expanding our reach, taking it step by step and leveraging the data we gather to extend our market further.

Galen:

I’m eagerly waiting for the day I can find New Zealand avocados in a specialty grocer in the US. Despite the dominance of Mexican and Californian avocados, having a variety in our supply chain would be a refreshing change. It would indeed be great to have that option.

Steven:

Yeah, we’re actively exploring those specialty markets. It’s on our radar and not too distant in the future. It’s a focus for our marketing teams.

Galen:

I’m all for it, even if it means spending more to get one. It’s heartening to hear about your positive experiences with the device. During the World Avocado Congress, I noticed varying levels of awareness about NIR technology and our instrument. Having someone like you showcasing this technology’s practical applicability and success globally is fantastic. We are constantly working to ensure our models cater to major markets worldwide, offering a reliable and consistent solution that eliminates the inconsistencies of laboratory analyses, with the added benefit of being non-destructive.

Steven:

It significantly reduces the testing time from a day or half a day to just 10 minutes, providing immediate feedback to the growers. It’s a win-win, and the growers appreciate promptly seeing where they stand. It’s a great advancement.

Galen:

Let’s plan a call for when I return from a conference in Hong Kong next week. I’d like to involve John and our collaborator from Central Queensland to discuss transitioning you to our new platform for your mapping work. Does that sound good?

Steven:

That sounds great.

Galen:

Before we wrap up, do you have any questions or need any information from me?

Steven:

I am exploring opportunities for leaf analysis and root sampling imaging, especially considering the recent flooding in Gisborne. I am coordinating with my boss, Glynn, at Zeafruit to understand how we can leverage the root imaging system and leaf analysis in our current scenario. I will detail this in an email to continue our discussion.

Galen:

I have some exciting news on that front. Our root imaging technology, which has been effectively used in early disease detection in citrus crops in Florida, is undergoing a significant upgrade. Next year, we will launch a fully automated robot controlled via a mobile app, offering IR and UV light capabilities and visible light imaging. If you are considering purchasing one, opt for the CI-600 model, which is compatible with the upcoming version. This development and advancements in machine learning algorithms for root analysis are set to revolutionize research in this field, allowing for detailed, time-based monitoring under various conditions. It removes the guesswork from the process.

Steven:

That sounds fantastic, taking the guesswork out of it. Thank you for sharing this, Galen.

Galen:

You’re welcome, Steven. It was great talking to you today. Take care, and we’ll catch up soon.

Steven:

Looking forward to it. Take care, Galen. See you.

In this conversation, we’ve journeyed through the meticulous strategies and forward-thinking approaches Zeafruit employs to maintain a year-round supply of quality avocados, navigating the challenges of a single flowering event and unpredictable weather patterns. The conversation illuminated the pivotal role of the F-751 device in revolutionizing orchard management, offering a glimpse into the future of agriculture where technology meets tradition to foster sustainability and enhance product quality.

As we anticipate the unveiling of the upgraded root imaging system and the new functionalities of the fruit maps feature, it is clear that the collaboration between Zeafruit and CID bioscience is not just about sustaining a business; it’s about nurturing a vision for a future where technology empowers growers to make informed decisions, optimize processes, and ultimately, bring the best of the orchard to the consumer’s table. Stay tuned as we dive into the exciting developments in the pipeline, promising a future of agriculture that is more sustainable, efficient, and harmonized.