Bags the new ones, say kiwifruit pickers

By SUSIE STEENS
An innovative new picking bag for green kiwifruit could be the answer to many of last season's reject fruit, particularly those caused by "raining".
Concerned about the number of rejected fruit showing circular bruising last year Allan Luckman, manager of Dominion Park Orchard in Paengaroa, felt sure that a combination of riper fruit due to delayed picking and the practice of raining (where fruit is virtually dropped into the bag) was the cause.
He's been working with Harvestwear, an orchard equipment manufacturer to develop a new picking bag.
"It's a catch 22 because there is more chance of damage with raining, but it makes picking a lot faster," says Mr Luckman.
"Everyone's had a try at preventing it. There's the coppens lid which prevents raining, but needs a lot of extra arm movement so it's awkward to use.
"My original idea was to modify a standard bag so that fruit could be rained in, without damaging it. I talked to Simon Budd at Horticentre who has helped me with all sorts of projects, and he recommended Lincoln Smith at Harvestwear. I had a few ideas, he had a few ideas and suddenly it just clicked and we had the first prototype ready before Christmas."
Since then modified prototypes have been tested and refinements made with an assortment of bags being couriered from Invercargill, with cushioning changed, a middle bar being lifted and straps being altered, but the latest bag is just about perfect, says Mr Luckman.
A half-circle padded "slide tray" softly catches the fruit and funnels it into the padded bag. Adjustable straps enable the bag to be worn higher on the chest (less distance for fruit to fall); the bag is also relatively light and comfortable to wear.
The latest model had its debut on Thursday with Papamoa Horticulture workers all keen to try it.
"Their feedback is very important because if they like the bag, work goes more smoothly. The feedback was very positive."
While the bags will be more expensive (about $200 compared with around $130) he thinks it will be worthwhile. "I need 20 bags for my regular pickers but think of the downstream effect - $4000 is nothing in comparison."