?> Admin – Page 110 – Chiltern Farms

Author: Admin

  • Going Green – Solar Power

    Going Green – Solar Power

    Phase 1 of our Solar project started generating in Nov 2020. In mid-summer it generates 450 kw of power, and on a clear day will produce 3 000 units (kwh) of energy and generates 20% of our present electrical demand and will displace 480 000 kg of carbon dioxide, from coal powered energy, which is released into the atmosphere annually, this is equivalent to planting 16 000 trees per year. 

    Phase 2, which is in the assessment stage, will quadruple the solar output and supply 80% of our consumption once fully operational.

  • Farming in the 21st Century

    Farming in the 21st Century

    The digital track and trace module is an ERP system providing the farmer with a complete audit trail of product and costs, as well as the ability to plan and distribute picking strategies directly to orchard level. The system uses display dashboards to enable the farmer to visualise farming activities, production data and marketing statistics in graphic form using maps, tables, charts and graphs.

     

    With the use of digital scanners and QR codes the data is recorded at each leg of the journey, in the orchards, on transport and at intake, and is immediately uploaded allowing instant access, ensuring accuracy and high detail information available at the touch of a button. The software records, in fine detail, a complete audit trail of all activities that take place during the farming operations, thus providing complete traceability of produce from tree to consumer.

     

    Chiltern has implemented the system in their blueberry orchards and it is invaluable in monitoring and ensuring optimum irrigation of the crop. A recent addition is the track and trace module for pome fruit harvesting which is proving its worth by providing high detail information, for each bin of fruit picked, from tree to packshed.