After an absence of a year, Hazera organized its International Open Days at the end of September, during which outdoor vegetable growers and chain partners could see the complete range of outdoor vegetables, including that of sister companies Vilmorin and HM.Clause. Brassicas are one of the key outdoor crops in which Hazera showed some highlights. The harvesting process is intensive, but in the cabbage field, there was a demonstration of an automatic harvester for various types of cabbage that can easily handle this hard work.
Brassica specialist Hazera Maarten Danenberg
The new introduction Earl in pointed cabbage promises an improvement for the summer crop, says Brassica specialist Maarten Danenberg. "The main feature is flexibility for the grower in Western Europe as it has good field durability. Earl has a high yield and produces uniform cabbages."
Brussels sprouts variety 16-944 offers great potential for the early market (October sprouts) due to its uniform sprouting and good field storability.
Automatic cabbage harvester
Verhoest's automatic cabbage harvesting machine showed that it is possible to harvest various types of cabbage with the same quality as manual harvesting. The machine can harvest cauliflower, white cabbage, red cabbage, and pointed cabbage without damaging the cabbages. "They can go straight into storage and remain good for at least nine months," says Bart Verhoest, who designed the machine.
Cabbages are lifted by root from the ground by two torpedoes at the front. The coal is then carefully and smoothly transported, utilizing rolls with mousse, to the knife and cut off at the same height. Transport is gentle and smooth with the help of lateral non-slip belts that do not harm the cabbage.
Onions
Hazera also has a wide range of onion varieties, from budget onions like the top varieties Nico, Storo, Rondo, and Prospero. "The long day segment with excellent bulb and storage quality and high yield potential," says onion specialist Paul Fiers.
Onion specialist Hazera Paul Fiers
"Prospero is suitable for both conventional and organic cultivation with strong foliage and root system. It has a high yield and produces hard, storable onions. Storo is a new commercial variety with a lot of growth potential, which can still make up for a late start to the season. It is a good storable onion, skin firm. Nico is an early variety with strong plant traits, recommended for long storage."
Hazera has made nice strides this year, especially in red onions Paul says. "Before, we didn't have much to say about this, but our two new varieties Redshine and Redflash will change that. Redshine is mildew tolerant and also suitable for organic cultivation. You can harvest and store this green until the end of December. It is a beautiful bulbous shiny onion with a thin neck. Redflash is a red onion with excellent storage properties, store until late March or early April."
For peeling, Hazera now also has a fine onion. "Rondo doesn't just have that hardiness, but it is storable and very suitable for processing," Paul concludes.
For more information:
Hazera
Kanaalweg 14
1749 CE Warmenhuizen
Tel: +31 (0)162 690 900
[email protected]
www.hazera.com
Verhoest Agriculture Machinery
Moorseelsesteenweg 163
8800 Rumbeke, Belgium
[email protected]
www.verhoestagro.be