Small, Medium and Large Scale options for Mechanical Harvesting of Apples

Cornell University Associate Professor of Horticulture Gregory Peck Ph.D and Angry Orchard Head Cidermaker Joe Gaynor provide an in depth study of mechanical tools for orchards of all sizes.

The presentation took place at CiderCon2023.

No need to be an orchardist to enjoy this topic on mechanical harvesting of apples. Some of these same tools presented are also used in vineyards for harvesting grapes. Particularly interesting for cider fans and makers alike, is the debunking the myth that apples that fall on the ground can't be used to make cider. Dr Peck provides a great overview on this topic.

Topics in the Mechanical Harvesting Presentation

• Comparison of Cider Economies of New York, US and UK
• Bush Cider Orchards - wide row spacing for mechanical harvesting
• Cumulative Net Present Value (NPV) using Outsourced Machine Harvesting (~$300/acre)
• Is it Profitable to Grow Cider Apples in NY?
• The cost of hand picking - Labor in America
• Cumulative NPV at Various Returns using Hand or Machine Harvesting
• Tree-row sweeping and picking up
• Harvesting off the ground
• How mechanical harvesting impacts the fruit
• Options for Small, Medium and Large scale operations
• Conclusions of this study

Contact info for Gregory Peck

• eMail: gmp32@cornell.edu
• Listen to an early Episode 198: Becoming a Pommologist with Dr. Peck

Mentions in this Chat

• Scott Farm Go Fund Me for apple lost due to 2023 Frost
• New York Apple Camp July 28th-30th, 2023