Following up on our recent research for our resource page on Near-Infrared (NIR) technology for the fresh produce industry, we have created a technology round up of NIR and DA (Differential Absorbance) tools on the market today.

Quality assessment of fresh produce is undergoing rapid technological advancements, shifting from reliance on slow, destructive laboratory methods (such as penetrometers and refractometers) toward high-throughput, non-invasive spectral analysis. Though this technology is relatively new to fresh produce, several companies have jumped ahead of the curve to calibrate NIR spectrometers for fruit and vegetable analysis.

Portable NIR tools have a longer history in construction, manufacturing and geological industries. Some of the brands we will review first created NIR tools for these other industries, but a few agricultural tech manufacturers have also entered the market. We have focused this article only on hand held NIR tools, including DA meters, which have a smaller and specific functionality for chlorophyll level assessment.

Starting fresh in 2025, we are updating our sustainable packing technology round-up. Recent consumer studies suggest that a large percentage of customers are willing to pay more for more sustainable products. This shift in consumer attitude as well as advancements in sustainable packing tech is helping to push the fresh fruit and vegetable industry towards more environmentally friendly options. Previously we have discussed the challenges and benefits of adopting more sustainable packaging options in horticulture. In this article we will get into how the landscape of sustainable packaging has changed to mitigate some of the issues preventing growers and packers from choosing greener packing options and how some of the regulatory changes and requirements impacting the fruit and vegetable industry are shifting.

There is a lot of anxiety in the media right now about the future of artificial intelligence: Will AI steal our jobs, copy our artwork, plagiarize our writing? Just this week, the dangers of artificial intelligence, the existential threat it could represent, the extinction level risk that could be on par with climate change, nuclear war and the Matrix - the articles are rising to the top of the Google ranks faster than many of us human bloggers can keep up.

The potential of digital applications in agriculture generates enthusiasm about the future of food production among technologists and is a cause for uncertainty among others. But for many farm managers, the time has come to adapt, and the race to adopt (or develop) the best technology will determine the future of humankind.

Consumers' attitudes towards online shopping are becoming increasingly positive as time goes on - and online grocery shopping is no exception.  In 2018, grocery e-commerce sales totaled $58.9 billion — a whopping 35.4% increase from 2017.  Today we look at the implications  the online grocery shopping boom hold for fresh produce growers.

Recent foodborne illness outbreaks traced to tainted irrigation water have left the global horticulture industry reeling.  In regions where growers subject their farms to voluntary safety checks, cases have sadly still arose where pathogens have contaminated food and causing high-profile health scares.

What growing techniques shape your production? Plow, chisel, disk, ridge plant – all of these tillage systems offer different advantages when growing in poorly drained soils and aim to start your growing season off with a suitable soil environment. If tillage is in your planning, ideally it’s  executed conservatively: the mechanical manipulation of soil promotes erosion, creating greater need for compensating inputs over time, and larger strain on food production systems worldwide. 

Continuing our article updates trend in the new year, we put together a refreshed round-up of rugged cell phone and tablet cases for 2025. A mobile device is a very essential farming tool. Being able to log farm records on the go saves valuable time when assessing costs and preparing for audits. Having to input essential information, like worklogs, inventory or spray records at the end of the day, week, month or frantically right before an audit, can quickly get out of control, especially given the new demands on farmers coming from rulings like FSMA204. Growers must be able to produce digital and searchable inventory traceability records within 24 hours of being asked.

If you’re in the agriculture industry, you know how crucial it is to keep operations efficient, organized, and precise. Increased traceability demands, like those imposed by FSMA204, mean more information about products needs to be recorded at every step in the supply chain. Saving valuable time at each of these Critical Tracking Events is vital to maintain operational efficiency. In order to quickly encode and record inventory information through these steps, barcode scanners have become an essential tool for farms and agribusinesses of all sizes. Code readers help streamline inventory management, traceability, and product tracking across various stages of production and distribution. But with so many models and features on the market, finding the right scanner for your operation can feel overwhelming.

We take a look at the best in the business when it comes to keeping your phone and tablet safe in the field. Read on for the top ten rugged cases for your phone and tablet in 2023.

We take a look at the best in the business when it comes to keeping your phone and tablet safe in the field. Read on for the top ten rugged cases for your phone and tablet in 2019. For our most updated version check out our Top Ten Rugged Phone and Tablet Cases for 2023.

We take a look at the top mobile batteries on the market to keep you connected all day on the field.

Keeping ahead of the curve with Croptracker's Top Ten Weather Apps for Farmers.

When working relies on being out in the elements, the tools you need to get the job done should withstand these conditions within reasonable use. Agricultural production is certainly not without its dirt and damp, so when it comes to something like a smartphone, what might be a good purchase? We’ve highlighted some currently available phones and cases of note that aim to pass the test of your day to day needs.

Croptracker is pleased to announce we are supporting and attending the USApple Outlook 2024 event Aug 14-16 in Chicago Illinois. Our staff is looking forward to learning from industry experts at the panel discussions and presentations. Croptracker believes strongly in the work done by the USApple to advocate for the apple industry and is happy to be supporting their important work.

In 2018, The Agricultural Improvement Act called for the removal of hemp, cannabis sativa with a THC level of 0.3%, from the schedule one classification to allow for easier agricultural production. Hemp is an extremely versatile crop that is used to make food, oils, animal feed and fibres/textiles.

In 2018, The Agricultural Improvement Act called for the removal of hemp, cannabis sativa with a THC level of 0.3%, from the schedule one classification to allow for easier agricultural production. Hemp is an extremely versatile crop that is used to make food, oils, animal feed and fibres/textiles.

The USDA has announced plans to discontinue the use of an insensitive term as a size grade.  

Imagine if you had the ability to control exactly how much sun, and rain your crops got. What if you could set the ideal temperature for everything you grow, and could control the humidity and air flow with perfect precision? Grappling with the effects of the environment while producing food has always been the farmer’s biggest challenge. But Vertical Farming takes all the uncertainty out of growing by creating and maintaining the perfect climate for whatever you’re growing.

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