Eurofresh, the biggest producer of cucumbers and tomatoes in the US, has updated two of its greenhouse sites with Hoogendoorn process computers’ new iSii system. “It was one of the best choices we made this year,” said Flip van der Most Site Manager Eurofresh Inc. The firm is in Wilcox and Snowflake, Arizona.
A location with abundant sunlight, excellent climatological conditions and a good fresh water supply providing the ultimate growing conditions for exceptional quality greenhouse products all year round. But these dry, desert-like conditions also come with some extreme growing challenges. To overcome these challenges, Eurofresh integrated advanced Hoogendoorn iSii technology with computerized climate control systems. Their propagation facility is included in this upgrade.
Cooling
Because of the climatological challenges, Eurofresh was looking for sophisticated and effective cooling and irrigation solutions. Flip van der Most is very passionate about the sophisticated cooling software offered by Hoogendoorn Growth Management. “It’s a fantastic system, especially the possibility to change settings based on the humidity deficiency and the extensive possibilities to control the pad & fan system.”
In the propagation facility, not only the pad & fan system, but also techniques such as lighting, misting and screening are easy to control with the new iSii systems. Eurofresh growers are excited about the new iSii system compared to the previous system. “The iSii system brings added value to our operation, we now understand that a Hoogendoorn system is much more than an average climate and irrigation system. These are well developed, well constructed and industrial quality systems. Also their service and education are of a very high level”.
Optimizing irrigation with Aquabalance
Eurofresh has chosen to integrate the Aquabalance system in their Hoogendoorn equipped sites to improve their irrigation strategy in order to save water and fertilizer. The Aquabalance system is a unique weighing device for substrate slabs to help growers perfectly adjust the irrigation needs of the plants. The Aquabalance consists of scales 3 metres in length and a drain discharge system with a small valve and a pump. It also measures PH and EC. Hoogendoorn has developed specific software to control the Aquabalance, which is completely integrated into the iSii process computer.
Eurofresh
Eurofresh was founded in Pennsylvania in 1990. The company currently encompasses 318 acres of greenhouse facilities that consistently produce a high volume of premium tomatoes throughout the year. The company employs 1200 people and is one of the major employers in the region. The tomatoes on the vine and cucumbers are sold throughout the United States under the Eurofresh Farms label.
For more information please contact Hoogendoorn Growth Management
Martin Helmich – Export Director
www.hoogendoorn.nl info@hoogendoorn.nl +31 10 4608080
