and tractors were some of the products present at this year’s International Potato Technology Expo in Charlottetown. The expo is a 20-year-old event in which potato producers are invited to see upcoming technology and services in the potato industry. It was held at the Eastlink Centre Friday and Saturday.Greentronics presented many products that made typically manual tasks automatic. Among them was the Ritedrop, a height controller that automatically measures the height a potato is set to drop and readjusts it to an appropriate level.
Greentronics representative Bill Menkveld said many potato farmers are concerned about bruising their crop. “If you drop a potato more than six inches it could cause a bruise,” he said. "Watching to make sure the potatoes drop at an appropriate level is a lot of work for farmers," said Menkveld.
“This is a wonderful place to meet all our customers and growers on P.E.I., and this is a great place to show them what’s new in our world." Doug LeClair, sales manager, Kensington Agricultural Services Ltd.
Kensington Agricultural Services Ltd. displayed New Holland Agriculture’s Front Boom Sprayer. With the boom sprayer on the front, drivers don’t have to look behind them to see if their nozzles are working, said Kensington Agricultural Services Ltd salesperson Michael Gallant. “Instead of the boom being behind you, it’s right in front of you,” he said.
Sales manager Doug LeClair said products they have on display, such as the Front Boom Sprayer, are relatively new. “This is a wonderful place to meet all our customers and growers on P.E.I., and this is a great place to show them what’s new in our world,” he said. Many of the products in the expo probably won’t be on the market for the next few years, but he may buy them when they are available, he said.
