Precision Agriculture Enhanced: AVR’s Puma 4.0 Size Measurement System Provides Growers with Greater Yield Insights
AVR Machinery is showcasing its innovative size measurement system for the Puma 4.0 potato harvester at the upcoming Interpom fair in Kortrijk, Belgium. The new technology promises potato growers unprecedented accuracy in yield assessment, using a camera-based system that distinguishes potatoes from stones and soil clods. This development represents a notable advancement for the potato cultivation industry, where precise sizing data is vital for various market segments, including seed potatoes, fresh produce, and processing for French fries.
Historically, potato yield measurement has depended on weighing cells that provide only generalized weight data, which can be skewed by non-potato materials like stones and soil. According to Pieter Galle, Product Manager at AVR, this limitation has often hindered growers from obtaining clear, actionable insights into the quality of their crop. The new size measuring system, however, utilizes vision technology to exclusively identify and measure potatoes in the product stream, ensuring data that is “100% relevant,” as Galle explains.
Size is a key quality parameter in potato production, directly affecting market value and crop management decisions. For growers, the system allows a detailed breakdown of the percentage of potatoes meeting desired size specifications, supporting informed decisions on product quality and agronomic practices. The size data also benefits supply chain stakeholders by providing a clear understanding of expected product sizes, reducing reliance on traditional spot checks.
The size measurement technology leverages digital imagery, recorded by cameras on the Puma 4.0’s bunker filling web, to assess potato dimensions as they are harvested. Processed through AVR Connect, this data can be visualized either geospatially, showing potato size distribution across different field zones, or in matrix format, displaying the size range as a percentage of the harvested yield. Both data formats are customizable to fit individual customer needs, providing adaptable, precise insights for growers and processors alike.
In line with precision agriculture principles, the AVR system brings significant efficiency to field operations, allowing growers to correlate yield data with specific field positions. This enhanced knowledge base improves crop management strategies, enabling a more efficient use of resources and optimizing outputs for future planting.
AVR will display this new technology on the Puma 4.0 during the Interpom fair, held on November 24-26, 2024. Additionally, the company’s 175th anniversary will be celebrated at the event with a limited edition of the Puma 4.0 on exhibit, highlighting the company’s blend of tradition and cutting-edge innovation. To further commemorate this milestone, AVR is offering a special leasing rate of 1.75% on the Puma 4.0, valid from November 1 to December 31, 2024. More information is available through AVR representatives.
A celebratory customer event, AVR Winter Fest, is scheduled for December 21, 2024, at AVR’s newly renovated headquarters in Roeselare, Belgium. Attendees can expect a comprehensive experience with guided plant tours, machinery demonstrations, and opportunities to engage with AVR’s experts around a cozy winter setup.
