Monroe Tractor Hosts IPAA Meeting Featuring Insights from Cranberry Farming in Massachusetts
Monroe Tractor Westborough was busy last week as it hosted this year’s summer meeting of the Independent Precision Ag Alliance (IPAA). The two-day event, spearheaded by Monroe Tractor’s Product Specialist Director Seth Conway, brought together experts from across North America to tackle industry issues, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions in precision agriculture.
The meeting included a visit to Carver, MA, where the group met with Scott Hannula, a fourth-generation cranberry farmer from Oiva Hannula and Sons, Inc. This family-owned business, deeply rooted in the cranberry industry, offered the attendees a glimpse into the intricacies of cranberry farming.
“Members of our group come from all over North America and we all bring expertise from large commercial farming and the associated precision practices. Most of us are familiar with grain, dairy, and vegetable production ranging from the Palouse of the Pacific Northwest, to large production acres in California and Arizona, through grain country of the Midwest and the diversity we have here in the Northeast,” Conway said. “Visiting Scott’s cranberry farm was an opportunity for us to expand our knowledge and see a different side of agriculture.”
Exploring the Cranberry Bog
Scott Hannula guided the group through his cranberry bogs, providing detailed insights into the cultivation and harvesting processes of cranberries:
- Bog Creation: Modern bogs are laser-leveled and established on peat. Cranberry plants are initially spread at a specific density per square foot. As the plants grow, they send out runners, which are covered with sand to encourage the development of productive parts of the plants. This process can take up to a decade before the bog becomes fully productive.
- Harvesting Techniques: Cranberries are harvested by flooding the bogs and using specialized equipment that agitates the plants, causing the berries, which contain four air chambers, to float to the surface for collection.
- Custom Equipment: Due to the niche nature of cranberry farming, commercial equipment is often unavailable. Farmers like Scott rely on years of experience and ingenuity to design and build custom machinery tailored to their specific needs.
Industry Collaboration and Innovation
Scott Hannula, in addition to managing his family’s farm, serves as the general manager and consultant for Decas Cranberry Products and sits on the Board of Directors for the Cranberry Marketing Committee. This dual role allows him to safeguard both the growing and processing sides of the industry, ensuring a steady supply and share policies and reports with the Department of Agriculture.
The IPAA meeting at Monroe Tractor highlighted the importance of cross-regional collaboration and the sharing of knowledge to address common challenges in agriculture. By visiting local operations like Hannula’s cranberry farm, industry experts can bring back valuable insights and apply innovative practices to their respective fields.
Attendees
The event featured prominent figures in precision agriculture, including (from left to right) Layne Richins, Jacob Corbridge, Tyler Lightner, Scott Hannula, Tim Norris, Bruce West, Kevin Mahn, Ryan Kuster, Corbin Christiansen, Nathan Wood, Lance Larsen, and Seth Conway.
