Bolthouse Pilots Autonomous Tractors
A pilot program involving autonomous tractors is underway at Bolthouse Farms in California. The goal is to collect data and better understand the impact of autonomous tractors in a day-to-day operation.
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) and Case IH are using multiple autonomous Case IH Steiger Quadtrac tractors for crop tillage at Bolthouse Farms. Feedback will be used to refine the technology for specific implements and production scenarios.
The work builds upon previous collaboration between ASI and Case IH, as well as New Holland Agriculture. Recently commercialized products resulting from the research and development activities of the autonomous program have included Case IH’s AccuTurn and New Holland’s IntelliTurn automated end-of-row turning products.
Stokes Seeds Adds Midwest Sales Rep
Stokes Seeds has hired Tim Clark as sales representative for Wisconsin, Minnesota and northern Illinois. Clark will be supplying vegetable seed recommendations and service to commercial producers throughout this newly organized territory.
Clark has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been working in Midwest agriculture for over 10 years including experience in seed sales and crop production.
Equipment Company Opens
Automated Produce Equipment (APE) opened in early April. The company provides produce machinery and packaging solutions primarily to the potato, onion and carrot industries. The company sells complete lines, as well as individual machines from bin tipping to packaging and robotic palletizing at the end of the packing line. APE’s vendors’ machinery is designed to reduce labor, increase efficiency and keep customers competitive in the industry, according to Mike McKnight, company president.
McKnight has been providing produce packaging equipment for nearly 10 years. APE is based in Marietta, Georgia.
Double M Expands
Double M Ag and Irrigation opened a new store in Blackfoot, Idaho, on Feb. 1, adding to its stores in American Falls and Aberdeen.
Double M ships equipment, irrigation and sprayer parts throughout the United States and Canada. The company carries a line of new and used equipment and bills itself as a one-stop shop from planting through harvest.
Fox Packaging Opens New Facility
Fox Packaging opened a new printing facility in McAllen, Texas, in March. With the new 32,000-square-foot facility’s increased space and state-of-the-art printing and conversion equipment, the company expects to increase production with shorter lead times.
“We wanted a space that would allow us to keep up with demand without sacrificing the elevated customer service our partners have come to know and trust,” said Keith Fox, president of Fox Packaging.
Fox Packaging develops and distributes flexible packaging options for fresh produce packers and shippers throughout North America and Latin America.
