Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Transplanting machine to be tried in Kent County

A European-made machine that transplants vegetable plugs will be tried by Bercab Farms in Kent County.

Jennen Bros Inc. and Sydenham Farms are also involved in the project which has backing from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial fund.

The “Agriplanter” can, it is said, transplant faster and with greater accuracy than workers, but it needs larger plugs, so special trays are being used for the trial.

The Agriplanter is being used in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, but this is a first in North America.

The use of the Agriplanter is expected to reduce labour needs by 70 per cent and save fuel and time.

Agriplanter can transplant 20 per cent more per hour than hand planting.

The Agriplanter improves plant-to-soil contact, so they should get off to a better start which could result in greater yields.