Key Takeaways:
- Haygrove and Ostara are collaborating on trials to assess automated polytunnel systems.
- The trial compares manual venting with automated vent control managed by Ostara’s software.
- The focus is on optimizing environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and Vapour Pressure Deficit (VPD).
- The trial seeks to reduce labour needs and improve growing conditions under unpredictable weather patterns.
- The trials are being conducted at Haygrove’s site in Ledbury, UK, and began in June.
Introduction to the Collaboration
Haygrove, a leading manufacturer of polytunnels and berry grower, has partnered with climate control software specialist Ostara, a spin-out company of Lettus grow to conduct trials assessing the impact of polytunnel automation on the growing environment. The trials, based at Haygrove’s Ledbury site, began in June and aim to determine whether automated venting systems can maintain optimal environmental conditions more effectively than manually operated systems.
Trial Overview: Manual vs. Automated Venting
The trial compares two types of polytunnel systems: one with manual venting and sensor monitoring, and another equipped with automated vent controls managed by Ostara’s software. The primary objective is to evaluate which system can maintain desired environmental conditions over the growing season, particularly in response to the changing and unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change.
Importance of Polytunnels in Modern Agriculture
As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, more crops, such as strawberries, are being grown under polytunnels to protect them from extreme weather events. Polytunnels serve as a barrier, shielding crops from excessive rain, wind, and temperature fluctuations. Automated venting, as tested in this trial, aims to further enhance control by adjusting the internal environment of the tunnels, making it warmer during cold spells and cooler during heatwaves.
Haygrove’s Range of Polytunnels
Haygrove provides a wide range of polytunnel options, from basic rain covers to fully automated systems with retractable roofs. The company’s goal is to take glasshouse technology and make it cost-effective for field-scale use. This allows growers to improve yield and quality, manage crop timing, and adapt to changing climate conditions more efficiently.
Ostara’s Role in Automation
Ostara’s climate control software plays a central role in the trial, automating environmental management inside the polytunnels. Sensors placed within the tunnels gather data on key metrics such as temperature and humidity, allowing the system to make automatic adjustments. This reduces the need for manual labour and ensures that conditions inside the polytunnels remain within set ranges, which are crucial for maintaining optimal crop growth.
Focus on Vapour Pressure Deficit (VPD)
A significant aspect of the trial is the focus on Vapour Pressure Deficit (VPD), a key measure of the difference between the moisture in the air and the maximum moisture the air can hold. Managing VPD helps regulate the amount of water plants lose through evaporation and transpiration. By maintaining optimal VPD, the automated system ensures better conditions for plant growth, potentially improving yield and crop health.
Trial Goals and Future Implications
The goal of the trial is to determine whether automated venting can provide more effective growing conditions while reducing the labour costs associated with manual adjustments. If successful, this collaboration could lead to wider adoption of automated systems for field-scale polytunnels, offering growers a more efficient way to manage crops in an increasingly challenging climate.
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