Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/543863
www.goodfruit.com Good Fruit Grower AUGUST 2015 21 Picking buckets typically have a capacity of 20 pounds but this one registers 18.4 pounds on the scale. It is in use at Allan Brothers Orchards in the Yakima Valley. Mike Omeg, an orchardist at The Dalles, Oregon, has tested it for two years and found it reduced some of the stresses associated with harvest. Omeg has 16 picking crews of 10 to 15 people each, and each crew is assigned a quality controller who checks their buckets to make sure they're full. "One of the most stressful parts of harvest, as far as the support staff in the orchard are concerned, is getting the picking staff to fi ll their buckets, because we pay by volume, not by weight," he said. "It's a constant battle to get full buckets. You have to be very vigilant." Some pickers complain that their crew's quality controller is more hard nosed than the others, or that the quality controller is showing favoritism toward a friend or relative. "By paying by weight, it takes all the debate out of the issue of payment," Omeg said. "It takes away a lot of the conflict. Harvest is already stressful enough." He said pickers like to know they will be paid a fair wage for a fair day's work. They also like to be able to dump partial buckets. For example, it might make sense to empty their buckets while they're resetting their ladders, even though the bucket is not full. In addi- tion, because they scan their personal RFID tags, they don't have to stay with a specifi c bin checker all day. This allows fl exibility in moving picking staff around the orchard. Having the picking records uploaded directly to the payroll program has also made life much easier for offi ce staff, who otherwise have to manually input data from grungy, cherry-stained tickets each afternoon. It also helps reduce the chance of error when there happens to be two pickers with the same name. Using FairWeigh should reduce his office staff by one full-time person, Omeg fi gures. He plans to buy several of the systems for next year's harvest and hopes that the chassis can be adapted to suit hilly terrain as well as fl at ground. • LEARN MORE For more information, email paybythepound@gmail.com or check the website www.fairweighs.com "By paying by weight, it takes all the debate out of the issue of payment." —Mike Omeg 120 N. Naches Avenue | Yakima, WA 98901 | 509.853.3000 1420 Fifth Avenue | Suite 3000 | Seattle, WA 98101 | 206.626.6000 stokeslaw.com/agriculture At Stokes Lawrence Velikanje Moore & Shore, we take the time to understand what's important to you. We have decades of experience working with agricultural clients and deep knowledge of the business and legal issues they face. Let's reach your goals together. Realizing Your Vision Estate/Succession Planning George Velikanje Garon Jones Ellen Jackson Business/Real Estate Morrie Shore Dustin Yeager Charissa Johnston Litigation/Employment Brendan Monahan Sarah Wixson Sean Russel Andre Penalver We have over 50 years of experience in the nursery business and are now taking growing contracts for: Ultima™ Gala, Banning Red Fuji, Honeycrisp,™ Granny Smith, and many others. Taking orders for benchgrafts. 4000 Grant Road, East Wenatchee, WA 98802 509-884-7041 OFFICE banningnursery@hotmail.com Banning Red Fuji appears to be 7 to 10 days earlier than other late Fujis! Now Accepting Contracts for Spring 2016 and 2017!