2024 top 5: Most read articles on harvesting

Harvesting is at the heart of farming, and 2024 brought exciting innovations and insights that captured the attention of Future Farming readers. From advanced machinery to smart harvesting techniques, the year’s top articles explored how farmers are maximising efficiency and crop quality.

In this roundup, we present the five most-read harvesting articles of 2024, showcasing the trends and technologies shaping the future of this critical stage in agriculture.

1. With electric harvesting machine ready for the future of blueberry cultivation

Blueberry grower Rik Harmsma in the Netherlands has transitioned from traditional hand-picking to mechanically harvesting blueberries with a fully electrically powered harvesting machine, the FineField Harvy 500.

With electric harvesting machine ready for the future of blueberry cultivation

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The Harvy 500 breaks with traditional notions of a harvesting machine. There is no driver's seat, but there is a small instrument panel on the right side (with code yellow), including a view of the battery charge level. - Photo: Mark Pasveer — The Harvy 500 breaks with traditional notions of a harvesting machine. There is no driver's seat, but there is a small instrument panel on the right side (with code yellow), including a view of the battery charge level. – Photo: Mark Pasveer

2. Where are the harvesting and fruit picking robots?

What harvesting and fruit picking robots are already commercially available in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania and in North and South America? Help us find them.

Where are the harvesting and fruit picking robots?

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Harvey.one is a self-driving harvester for demanding root crops follows. – Photo: ASA-Lift

3. Retrofit kit for combine harvesters uses light treatment to eliminate weed seeds

Controlling weeds is challenging enough, but the spread of their seeds during combining is becoming a significant issue. While existing weed seed mill attachments are effective, they typically require larger, more powerful combines. Now, a new solution has been developed that is compatible with smaller combines, offering an effective way to tackle this growing problem.

Retrofit kit for combine harvesters uses light treatment to eliminate weed seeds

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Weed seeds can multiply during harvest but a new solution using light technology destroys them going through the combine. – Photo: Chris McCullough

4. LINTTAS advances with groundbreaking electric harvester design

Australian startup LINTTAS is on the brink of a partnership with the University of Southern Queensland to advance its revolutionary combine harvester concept. With a focus on electrification and a pioneering linear threshing approach, LINTTAS aims to create a virtual prototype within a year that could demonstrate up to 30% energy savings compared to traditional harvesters.

LINTTAS advances with groundbreaking electric harvester design

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LINTTAS aims to create a virtual prototype within a year. – Image: LINTTAS

5. Nanovel introduces cost-competitive robot for citrus harvesting

Israel-based Nanovel has introduced an autonomous fruit-harvesting robot capable of picking citrus fruit for the fresh market in dense foliage. The system features a multi-arm platform, which will initially be towed by a tractor.

Nanovel introduces cost-competitive robot for citrus harvesting