glasshouse across the country are facing labor shortages , but automation can facilitate the challenges of recruiting , retaining , and employing a small stave .
According to research from Dr. Amy Fulcher , nearly 80 percent of nurseries have struggled with parturiency shortages , with 50 percent line up it more and more difficult to hire certified employees . She is part of the LEAP ( Labor , Efficiency , Automation , Production ) Team , a university module helping nurseries address labor way out , improve yield mental ability and increase net .
conglomerate data from greenhouse across the U.S. through interviews and surveys , the LEAP team bring home the bacon mechanization solutions to surgical process fight with keep efficiency with fewer employees .
The contention for skilled worker has intensified as manufacture outside of gardening offer competitory wage and benefit , often unmatched by entree - floor service jobs . Data compiled in 2020 shows that 66 per centum of nurseries are paying higher payoff , while 56 percent are espouse trade union movement - saving technologies .
Despite recognizing the need for mechanization , many nurseries order the cost of investiture and installation of young equipment is the most significant barrier to espousal .
Brian Decker of Decker ’s Nursery turned to DoL - saving technologies , like portable transporter belts and potting machines , to make his performance more effective in the expression of DoL shortages . He has 33 full - time employees , but he says if he had not incorporated mechanisation technology , he would need 200 employees to keep the same production capability as when he started in 1979 .
“ A clam spend on labor rather of mechanization is lost evermore . A dollar expend on automation lasts for the life of the equipment , ” he aver .
Automation advantagesAccording to Dr. Fulcher , investing in automation tender many advantages for nursery operations . She cite three way greenhouse have improved carrying out by automate typical project .
Automation Equipment to ConsiderAdopting mechanisation tools does not have to be expensive . Dr. Fulcher deal two example of simple tool that can improve efficiency without break off the bank .
Fertilizer applicatorEliminate the need to smooch - feed fertilizer manually with an applier machine that evenly hand out fertilizer and other granular product . While it deliver time and reduces energy consumption , some user reported underage placement accuracy and distribution military issue .
Pesticide automationTraditional airblast sprayers lack accuracy and software efficiency . Smart apply technology , on the other hand , enhances body and preciseness in spray , minimize wastage and environmental impact .
Automation AdoptionWhen considering automation , Dr. Fulcher enjoin to count the opportunity against the price of doing nothing . While initial investing may appear exorbitant , the long - term amplification in efficiency , labor saving , and production quality are undeniable . To ensure a successful passage to mechanization , consider these five feature :
She also says to consider “ splurge ” for a project director who can manage the mechanization process . It is also important to make a taking over plan to ensure the sustainability of your mechanisation attempt . Investing in mechanisation is a farseeing - term solution to accomplish greater longsighted - condition succeeder .
For more information : AmericanHortwww.americanhort.org
Frontpage photo : © Vlue | Dreamstime
