Historical document
Next generation integrated orchard management software (MT06063)
Publication date: May 1, 2009
Delivery Partner: OzProduction
This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.
Like many industries, the Australian fresh produce industry was in a state of rapid change. Massive consolidation of supply was occurring with growers amalgamating into various forms of supply chain to give them a critical mass of product with which to supply large customers – either on domestic markets or overseas.
As this consolidation occured new demands were put on the chain. These include;
OzProduction, was part of the Holman Fresh supply chain and had worked with Sumo Software to develop a “Next Generation”, of integrated orchard management software that allowed the capture and reporting of the data needed to respond to the pressures described above.
Know as the “igrow” Orchard Management System the new system was web-based for multi-user access, intuitive to use, and integrated data across various orchard operations.
For example once a tractor was “set up” on the system (i.e. its operating parameters were entered into the system) it could be used (without further data entry) by the system for all appropriate orchard operations - tree spraying, weed spraying, mowing etc.
Igrow allowed the printing of simple “Job Sheets” from the system that could be given to orchard staff specifying the execution of the task. For example, in spraying, the job sheet, printed from the system, would prescribe the product, rate and number of vats required to spray the block as well as the tractor, gear and engine revs to be used. In one operation the manager captured the data related to the task, completed the orchard’s spray diary and instructed the worker. A truly integrated operation.
A wide range of reports could be produced by igrow and these could be tailored to various orchards. Operating costs could be reported in $/ha, $/tree or $/kg of fruit produced.
OzProduction and Sumo Software intended to make the program available to other orchards and supply chains.
This historical project was a strategic levy investment in multiple Hort Innovation Funds
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