Data only matters when it leads to a decision in the orchard
Many growers and supply chain partners already work with maps, measurements and pilot projects. Yet the practical question often remains: what should I do with this tomorrow, and what difference will it make further down the chain. Variation between trees builds up quietly and shows up later in sorting, quality and planning. Within Orchard to Plate, the focus is therefore on where data not only provides insight, but actually leads to targeted action. Data-driven root pruning is a clear step from observing to acting.
You start to see the difference when the same orchard is managed in two ways
Vogelaar Fruitcultures in Krabbendijke is running a trial within Orchard to Plate in a Xenia pear orchard. One half of the plot is managed in the traditional way, while the other half is guided by data. This creates a comparison that matters in practice: the same conditions, but a different way of deciding and acting. The aim is to understand whether targeted interventions lead to better balance and more predictable growth.
Uniformity improves when differences are no longer treated with one standard approach
In an orchard, no two trees are truly the same, even if the plot appears uniform on paper. Applying the same treatment everywhere can unintentionally increase differences rather than reduce them. This makes growth less predictable and increases variation towards harvest and batch formation. By assessing where vigour is too high or too low at tree level, uniformity becomes something you can actively manage.
Targeted intervention makes the impact measurable
For the data-driven section, blossom, vigour and fruit load maps are created using TreeScout by Aurea Imaging. A vigour map is then used to determine where root pruning will contribute most to balance. Trees are grouped into classes, ensuring that decisions are consistent in execution. Only trees in the highest vigour class are pruned.
Defining actions in advance ensures consistent execution
Root pruning is carried out using a Munckhof Fruit Tech Innovators root pruner, guided by the predefined task map. The practical advantage is that decisions are not made on the spot, but determined in advance and executed consistently. This turns decision-making into a structured part of the workflow, rather than relying on individual judgement. At the same time, actions are recorded, making it possible to link interventions to outcomes later on.
Including weak growth helps you understand what drives improvement
Parts of the orchard also show weaker growth. Here, the question is reversed: how do you increase vigour without shifting the problem into the next season. A small test has been included where twenty low-vigour trees are pruned at half depth, aiming to stimulate new root development. This controlled variation reveals which intervention works in which situation, and which does not.
Better supply chain decisions start with a more predictable crop
Uniformity is not just a growing objective, it is a supply chain issue. Less variation in growth and development increases the likelihood of batches that are easier to plan and position. This makes orchard data more relevant for decisions later in the season, such as harvest timing, batch composition and market allocation. Orchard to Plate focuses exactly on this connection: which data and which interventions generate insights that improve quality and planning further down the chain.
Handsfree Agrifood connects knowledge, execution and data into one workflow
Data-driven root pruning shows what happens when data is used to guide repeatable actions at tree level. Within the Handsfree Agrifood ecosystem, the goal is for partners to develop these applications together, moving beyond isolated trials towards practical, scalable approaches. NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood supports this by accelerating real-world cases and sharing insights. The next step is to structurally link interventions to seasonal outcomes, enabling better predictions of which actions improve uniformity and what decision-making value they create for the supply chain.