Today, growers need a variety of tools in their portfolio not only to help manage growing their crops, but also to make decisions on marketing their products. Creating an umbrella of diverse solutions for growers is the model that UPL is built upon. UPL’s OpenAg® purpose is to develop new partnerships and technologies that provide post-harvest solutions to reduce food waste and enhance the freshness of the food supply chain from farm to fork.
In a recent article in the May issue of Potato Grower, two companies creating new solutions and innovations in the UPL portfolio for potato growers were highlighted: TeleSense and DECCO, the post-harvest business units of UPL. The collaboration with these two companies formed a year-round program that offers potato growers a wealth of knowledge and data, along with growing and storage solutions for their operations.
“If UPL can’t bring the necessary innovation, we are seeking partners who can,” says DECCO US Director of Marketing Boomer Cardinale. “And we’re pulling all these different brands and solutions under one umbrella to make it easier for growers, applicators and processors.”
New Innovations Helping Potato Growers
By monitoring the temperature and moisture of the air as it enters and exits the potato piles, TeleSense enables users to get a more complete view of the storage unit, including the middle of the pile where there are no sensors. Using sensor probes, growers can remotely monitor hundreds of storage units on their mobile phones or computers, significantly reduce the risk of loss from mold and rot.
“We are trying to provide actual prescriptive insights,” says TeleSense President and CEO Naeem Zafar.
DECCO and their range of Fresh Defense® products help growers manage their potato crops post-harvest. DECCO’s CIPC and clove oil products give growers strong sprout management solutions. To round out the coverage, DECCO’s DMN Aerosol recently received EPA and PMRA registration. These solutions allow for more uniform and consistent potatoes coming out of storage, thus ensuring a more marketable product.
“There’s a massive investment inside these storage sheds,” says Cardinale. “The Fresh Defense program was developed to address all the concerns growers may have while their potatoes are in storage.”
Using current products along with innovations from partners, UPL is looking at new ways to meet the challenges of producing a profitable potato crop. Staying a step ahead to anticipate where markets and consumer trends are headed allows UPL and their partners to help producers reach higher profitability and be more efficient.
UPL’s umbrella of services offers year-round support to potato growers and their needs. From planting to the growing season and beyond to marketing, UPL provides options for growers to manage their crops in new and innovative ways.
Talk to your local retailer or UPL, DECCO or TeleSense representative to find the best solutions for your operation.
