Is there a machine that picks asparagus?

Is there a machine that picks asparagus?

That Sprout is a smart robot shows from the moment it leaves the farmer’s shed. The robot finds its way to the asparagus fields fully autonomously. Once arrived at the harvest field, it uses the latest in deep learning technology to detect and delicately pick asparagus spears according to grower’s specifications.

How is asparagus commercially harvested?

Harvesting spears. Spears are harvested when they are between six and 10 inches long. Harvesting can be accomplished by breaking the spears off or using a pronged knife. If not using a tool, break the spears off by hand near the soil level.

Can you make money growing asparagus?

Planting new asparagus fields is expensive, and it can take experienced growers several years just to break even. Still, many mixed-crop farmers report that asparagus is their most profitable crop, so enterprising small growers can certainly find plenty of opportunity in the industry.

How much does asparagus make per acre?

Labor: 20–30 hours. The costs of production of asparagus production varies, however, harvest labor is the highest expense. Based on most recent production and price averages, the estimated gross value per acre is approximately $4,200 to $6,000 per acre for wholesale and retail markets, respectively.

How much is an acre of asparagus worth?

approximately $4,200 to $6,000 per acre
Labor: 20–30 hours. The costs of production of asparagus production varies, however, harvest labor is the highest expense. Based on most recent production and price averages, the estimated gross value per acre is approximately $4,200 to $6,000 per acre for wholesale and retail markets, respectively.

How much asparagus can you grow in one acre?

A well-tended planting yields a lot of asparagus, approximately 25 pounds per one 100-foot row. If you take your asparagus-growing larger scale, 1 acre can produce between 2 and 8 tons of salable asparagus per year. A best-case scenario includes two harvests per day yielding 1,000 pounds.

Is asparagus a good cash crop?

Is asparagus picking hard?

Workers harvest asparagus on April 23, 2015 in Firebaugh, Calif. As the Huffington Post has reported, asparagus is uniquely labor intensive because the quick-growing plant must be harvested every day of its three-month growing season.

Is Growing asparagus profitable?

This is where asparagus is perfect for small-scale farming. It is most profitable in a direct-to-consumer situation. This is because small-scale producers do not realize much profit in the wholesale market. Wholesale markets require certain packaging and cooling procedures, adding to the cost of production.

How much money can you make growing asparagus?

What month is asparagus ready to pick?

Asparagus harvest starts at the end of April and usually lasts for three to four weeks depending on air temperatures.

Is asparagus a cash crop?

Over the 13-year production period, total cash required was $23,204 per acre and 36,390 pounds of asparagus was produced, so that a total of $0.64 cash per pound was required to pay expenses. Total revenue was $29,276, producing an average price over all years of $. 80 per pound.

Does cutting asparagus encourage growth?

If they are left to continue to grow, it will help to boost the crop next year, but will reduce the number of new spears that develop this season. Cutting could take place until the normal end of the season (21 June) with this method.”

Can you harvest 2 year old asparagus?

Crowns from 2-year-old asparagus plants can be harvested lightly the year after you plant them, but these larger roots are also more susceptible to transplant shock than 1-year crowns.

Which country grows the most asparagus?

China
This statistic depicts the global leading 10 asparagus producing countries in 2020. In that year, China was the biggest producer of asparagus worldwide, producing approximately 7.3 million metric tons of asparagus.

What’s the best fertilizer for asparagus?

Asparagus can be fertilized in early spring before the spears emerge. An application of 1 to 1.5 pounds of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, per 100 square feet should be adequate. Asparagus can also be fertilized after the last harvest in June. Using a nitrogen fertilizer, apply .

What happens if you don’t Trim asparagus?

THE BOTTOM LINE: You’ll throw away more asparagus if you snap off the ends, and the spears won’t look as long and elegant. For many reasons, we think trimming and peeling is worth the effort. SNAPPED: Snapping the natural breaking point means losing half the weight of almost every spear.

How do you increase yield on asparagus?

After the end of the harvest season, allow the spears to grow. A spear is really just a plant shoot. And the shoots will grow into the mature fern that recharges the crown for the next harvest season. When harvest finishes, snap all the spears off at ground level and apply fertilizers (organic or synthetic).

Why can’t you eat asparagus the first year?

How to Harvest Asparagus. Don’t harvest any asparagus spears during the first two years that plants are in the permanent bed because they need to put energy into establishing deep roots. During the third season, pick the spears over a four-week period, and by the fourth year, extend your harvest to eight weeks.