ZIPGROW
PRODUCTION ESTIMATES
BRIGHT
© Bright Agrotech 2016 www.zipgrow.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRODUCTION ESTIMATES: ZIPGROW TOWERS...............3 GREENS.............................................................................4 HERBS................................................................................5 BATCH VS. CONVEYOR HARVESTING............................6 PRODUCTION DATA (BASIL)...........................................8 STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION...........................................9 PRODUCTION CALCULATOR........................................10 CITED STUDIES.................................................................11 ABOUT BRIGHT AGROTECH..........................................12
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PRODUCTION ESTIMATES: ZIPGROW TOWERS Bright Agrotech constantly pursues a goal of providing our growers with the practical information they need to plan and operate a vertical farm. This production estimates guide allows Upstart Farmers using ZipGrowTM towers to accurately predict seasonal production levels. The values included in the following tables reflect certain conditions, including season, lighting, environment, and growing tools, as well as user factors such as grower experience and expertise. Crop selection, nutrition, cultural techniques and environmental factors can all have a profound effect on the productivity of all greenhouse crops. These values reflect our spring and fall production seasons, which serve as a median for production rates. The summer season typically exhibits much higher production due to increased day length, and the shortest days of winter under-perform in comparison. Over the production year, average production rates mirror fall and spring seasons. These values apply to growing conditions with no artificial light (which might have significantly boosted production and should be taken into consideration) and represent the productivity of a single 5’ ZipGrowTM tower grown in mass configuration. The use of different techniques (vconveyor and batch production) impact productivity and may be examined (see Storey, 2012).
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GREENS How often should I harvest? You can harvest as often as you want; the frequency will depend on whether you use a conveyor system or not. Since most greens are grown on a 5-week turn (10.4 turns per year), you can use a conveyor system with 5-tower rows, and harvest every week. You can increase production, however, by growing on a 6-week turn.
How can I calculate the productivity of my total space? Crop spacing for typical conveyor cropping is between 2.25 and 2.5 square feet per tower. To determine productivity on a square foot basis, simply divide the production value by 2.5 for the following two tables. For your total space, multiply that number by your total square footage. Example: Lettuce on a 6-week turn. [(7 lbs)/(2.5 sq. ft.)]/(100 sq.ft.) = 280 lbs per turn
Complete Harvest Crop
Production in Conveyor Cropping per ZipGrow Tower (5’) Lbs per 5 Kg per 5 Lbs per 6 Kg per 6 Week Turn Week Turn Week Turn Week Turn
Selected Lettuce
4-6 lbs
1.8-2.7
6-8 lbs
1.7-3.6
Bok Choi
6-7 lbs
2.7-3.2
8-9 lbs
3.6-4.1
Kale (Winterbor)
3 lbs
1.4
4 lbs
1.8
Tatsoi
3 lbs
1.4
4 lbs
1.8
Chard
4 lbs
1.8
5.5 lbs
2.5
Mustard Greens
3 lbs
1.4
4 lbs
1.8
*These values are for complete harvests although gradual harvests are possible for many of these crops. Transplant size is typically 2-3 inches in size with one to two sets of true leaves.
Mustard Greens
Tatsoi Back to Top
Romaine Lettuce
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HERBS How should I harvest? Most herbs cultured in towers have longer and more gradual harvest schedules. Basil, for instance, is cut three times and at three week intervals before being replanted, and each cutting yields more than the last. Slow growing crops like oregano, rosemary, and sage often are cultured for 9-12 months with increasing harvests. When the production of the tower begins to decrease again, the tower is replanted. Herbs
Week 5 (lbs)
Week 8 (lbs)
Week 11 (lbs)
Week 14 (lbs)
Week 17 (lbs)
Week Week 23 20 (lbs) (lbs)
Week 26 (lbs)
Sweet Basil (3 cuts)
3-4 lbs
4-5 lbs
5-6 lbs
New Cycle
Oregano (Spanish)
1 lb
2.5 lbs
2.5 lbs
2.5 lbs
2.5 lbs
2.5 lbs
2.5 lbs
2.5 lbs
Rosemary
0
0
0
.5 lb
1 lb
1 lb
1 lb
2 lb
Sage
0
0
0
.5 lb
1 lb
1 lb
2 lb
2 lb
Fennel
0
5-7 kb
New Cycle
Parsley
3-4 lbs
3-4 lbs
New Cycle
Cilantro
3-4 lbs
2-3 lbs
New Cycle
Herbs
Week 5 (kg)
Week 8 (kg)
Week 11 (kg)
Week 14 (kg)
Week 17 (kg)
Week Week 23 20 (kg) (kg)
Week 26 (kg)
Sweet Basil (3 cuts)
1.4-1.8
1.8-2.3
2.3-2.7
New Cycle
Oregano (Spanish)
.45
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.1
Rosemary
0
0
0
.23
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.8
Sage
0
0
0
.23
.45
.45
.45
.9
Fennel
New Cycle
Parsley
1.4-1.8
.9-1.4
New Cycle
Cilantro
1.4-1.8
.9-1.4
New Cycle
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BATCH HARVESTING VS. CONVEYOR CROPPING Batch harvesting = uniform production, uniform harvest
Batch production systems are a method of planting and harvesting ZipGrowTM towers where all production is of the same generation. This differs from conveyor cropping, which is mentioned below. Appendix 0.04 Batch cropping in vertical hydroponic production. All crop plants are of the same generation. Initial growth is fast, but moderate shading effects are experienced as the crop reaches maturity.
Conveyor cropping = generational production, generational harvesting A conveyor system is a method of planting, harvesting, and moving ZipGrowTM towers that allows you to continuously produce greens and herbs while maximizing light use in the greenhouse. Single axis light management: In horizontal one dimensional management methods, towers are arranged in rows, each corresponding with a seedling generation. There are as many rows per block as weeks or other harvest-related time units in the production cycle. For instance, a 4 week production trial would have four rows per block. On a weekly cycle, the last row of towers is removed and sent to market, the anterior rows are moved back, and the southernmost row (Row 1) is filled with towers containing newly transplanted seedlings. By continuously moving maturing plants to the rear of the tower mass, light is conserved horizontally, with less interference from immature towers forward in the tower mass.
Appendix 0.05 A side illustration of single axis light management in the tower block (Single-Pull, Horizontal Conveyor). Towers are placed based upon the generation they contain. Young towers are placed on the sunfacing side and moved sequentially to the rear with the harvest of older generations. In this way, minimal interference in the front appears to result in lessened shading effects in the rear of the tower mass.
When towers cannot be physically moved, towers are harvested and replaced row by row, establishing a similar pattern of minimized light interference within a set tower grid. This is the most common type of light management production style used in unidirectional vertical hydroponic greenhouse production.
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PRODUCTION DATA (BATCH HARVESTING) Although batch harvesting is possible, the majority of today’s Upstart Farmers still prefer conveyor cropping for continuous production of greens and herbs. The values in the table to the right are an illustration of batch harvesting, however. They represent a tower mass containing a single generation or age group of crop plants. Harvests are complete and transplant size in this study was slightly smaller than the plugs utilized in the commercial production schedules above.
Complete Harvest Crop
Production in Conveyor Cropping - per ZipGrow Tower (5’) Lbs per 5 Kg per 5 Lbs per 6 Kg per 6 Week Turn Week Turn Week Turn Week Turn
Selected Lettuce
4-6 lbs
1.8-2.7
6-8 lbs
1.7-3.6
Bok Choi
6-7 lbs
2.7-3.2
8-9 lbs
3.6-4.1
Kale (Winterbor)
3 lbs
1.4
4 lbs
1.8
Tatsoi
3 lbs
1.4
4 lbs
1.8
Chard
4 lbs
1.8
5.5 lbs
2.5
Mustard Greens
3 lbs
1.4
4 lbs
1.8
Watercress
3 lbs
5 lbs
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BASIL PRODUCTION DATA Basil is a very popular crop among Upstart Farmers. See the production values for Genovese basil (from the literature) in the table below. The production values using ZipGrowTM Towers is highlighted. Technique
Production (kg m2)
Production Period
For Comparison: kg m2
Study
Zipgrow Aquaponic
9.4
5 weeks post-transplant
1.88
Storey, 2012
Raft Aquaponic
13-42
52 weeks post-transplant
.25-.81
Savidov et al., 2007
Raft Aquaponic
23.4-25
52 weeks post-transplant
.45-.48
Rakoey et al. 2004
Hydroponic Media Bed
6.26
5.7 weeks post-transplant
1.1
Bradley and Marulanda, 2001
Raft Hydroponic
25-50 plants
1.5 weeks post 5 week establishment period
.4-.55 (1.7-2.4)
Micheli et al., 2003
Vertigro Field Hydroponic
6.2-7.1
15 weeks posttransplant
.41-.47
Hockmuth and Leon, 1999
Field Production
7.8
52 weeks posttransplant
.15
Rakoey et al., 2004
Intensive Field Production
2.5
7 weeks posttransplant
.36
Sifola and Barbieri, 2006
To convert from Kg m2 to lb ft2, simply multiply by (2.2/10.76), or (.20446)
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STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION DATA Strawberry production has been trialled using ZipGrowTM Towers (Storey 2012) and a production value of 4.9 kg/m2*month was achieved using ‘Seascape.’ This is between 2.5 and 7 times the standard industry production values. The table below shows production values for various strawberry varieties using different production methods. ZipGrowTM tower
Variety
Production Method
Density: Production plants m2
Harvest Period
Production per Author Month: kg m2
Chandler’
NFT
10.8
0.6-0.9 kg/plant; 6.59.7 kg/sq. m
6 months
1.1-1.6
Takeda and Hokanson, 2002
Sweet Charlie’
Hydroponic Tower
32
.226-.368 kg/ plant; 4.5-7.8 kg/ sq. m
4.5 months
1-1.7
Durner, 1999
Elsanta’
Hydroponic Peat Bag
8.5
8 kg/sq. m
12 months
.7
Leiten and Baets, 1991
Chandler’
Aquaponic Stacked Pot Tower
28
195g/plant; 5.4 kg/sq. m
5 months
1.1
Takeda et al., 1999a; Takeda et al., 1997
Sweet Charlie’
Aquaponic Stacked Pot Tower
28
167g/plant; 4.7 kg/sq. m
5 months
.9
Takeda et al., 1999a; Takeda et al., 1997
Oso Grand’
Aquaponic Stacked Pot Tower
28
138g/plant; 3.9 kg/sq. m
5 months
.8
Takeda et al., 1997
Chandler;
Hydroponic NFT
14
5.2 kg/sq. m
5 months
1
Takeda et al., 1997
Sweet Charlie’
Hydroponic NFT
14
261 g/plant; 3.7 kg/sq. m
5 months
.7
Takeda et al., 1997
Oso Grand’
Hydroponic NFT
14
253 g/plant; 3.5 kg/sq. m
5 months
.7
Takeda et al., 1997
Chandler;
Hydroponic Tower
40
500g/plant; 20 kg/sq. m
12 months
1.7
Resh, 2004
Seascape’
ZipGrow Aquaponic
35.3
6.9 kg/sq. m
1.4 months
4.9
Total Production: Storey 2012
Seascape’
ZipGrow Aquaponic
35.3
6 kg/sq. m
1.4 months
4.3
Group B Production: Storey 2012
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LEARN HOW MUCH YOU CAN GROW
HOW TO USE THE ZIPGROW PRODUCTION ESTIMATOR 1) Estimate how many towers will fit in your space by editing the square footage cell. (Or type in how many towers you’re looking to purchase) 2) The Estimator will do the rest and estimate how much lettuce or basil you can grow, and what type of revenue you can generate from each crop. *These estimates are based on regional averages and proper growing techniques. Keep in mind local prices and market demand may vary. ALWAYS survey your local pricing/demand first!
Start Estimating Here
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CITED STUDIES Bradley, P. and C. Marulanda. 2001. Simplified hydroponics to reduce global hunger. Acta Horticulturae. 554:289-296. Durner, E. 1999. Winter greenhouse strawberry production using conditioned plug plants. HortScience 34(4): 615-616. Hochmuth, R. and L. Leon. 1999. Comparison of six soilless media in a vertical production system (VertiGro™) for basil. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Publication 99-05. Lieten, F. and W. Baets. 1991. Greenhouse strawberry culture in peat bags. Advances in Strawberry Production 10:56-57. Micheli, A., A. Moncada, F. Vetrano, and F. D’Anna. 2003. First results on yield and quality response of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown in a floating system. Proc. IS on Greenhouse Salinity, Acta Horticulturae (ISHS) 609:377-381. Rakocy, J., R. Schultz, D. Bailey, and E. Thoman. 2004. Aquaponic production of tilapia and basil: comparing a batch and staggered cropping system. Proceedings of the South Pacific Soilless Culture Conference , Acta Horticulturae (ISHS) 648: 69-69. Resh, H. 2004. Hydroponic crop production, sixth edition. Taylor and Francis, Boca Raton, FL Savidov, N., E. Hutchings and J. Rakocy. 2007. Fish and plant production in a recirculating aquaponic system: a new approach to sustainable agriculture in Canada. Proceedings of the International Conference and Exhibition on Soilless Culture, Acta Horticulturae (ISHS)742:209-222. Sifola, M., and G. Barbieri. 2006. Growth, yield and essential oil content of three cultivars of basil grown under different levels of nitrogen in the field. Scientia Horticulturae 108(4):408-413. Stapleton, S. and R. Hochmuth. 2001. Greenhouse production of several fresh-cut herbs in vertical hydroponic systems in north central Florida. Proc. Fla. Hort. Soc. 114:332-334. Storey, N. 2012. Vertical aquaponic crop production towers and associated produce sales and distribution models: design, development and analysis. (Doctoral Dissertation) University of Wyoming. University of Wyoming ProQuest/UMI. Takeda, F., P. Adler, and D. Glenn. 1997. Strawberry production linked to aquaculture wastewater treatment. ISHS 439(2):673-677. Takeda, F. 1999a. Strawberry production in soilless culture systems. Proceedings of the international Symposium on Growing Media and Hydroponics, Acta Horticulturae (ISHS) 481:289-295. Takeda, F. and S. Hokanson. 2002. Effects of transplant conditioning on ‘Chandler’ strawberry performance in a winter greenhouse production system. P. 132-135. In: S. Hokanson and A. Jamieson (eds.) Strawberry Research in 2001. ASHS Press, Alexandria, Virginia.
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WHO IS BRIGHT AGROTECH? Bright Agrotech is composed of a rapidly growing group of incredibly hard working, passionate individuals committed to empowering the farmers of tomorrow. Our ZipGrow vertical farming/gardening towers help small hobbyist growers and commercial producers everywhere see maximum yields and economic profit. We want to help farmers live better, increase their margins, and give their consumer the most high quality produce possible.
CONTACT US We would love to help you get started. Call us and we can guide you through the planning and ordering process as well as addressing any concerns you might have with growing vertically with ZipGrow™ Towers.
307-288-1188
[email protected]
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