Drainage, drainage, drainage
Every year, somewhere in the world, a berry grower walks away from substrate production convinced that substrate just isn't for them. It's too expensive, the plants underperform, the results are…
The Root of the Problem Is the Root
In berry production, substrate rarely gets much respect. It sits at the bottom of the budget conversation, somewhere between spraying and irrigation. And yet, it is the environment where everything…
Do agricultural businesses really need consultants?
Agricultural businesses tend to have very different relationships with consultants. Some do not make an important decision until an external opinion has been brought in. Others are happy to listen,…
Everyone Wants AI. Few Fix the Basics.
In berry production, innovation is everywhere. New apps, AI platforms, oxygen injected into irrigation water, and an endless stream of specialty products promising incremental gains. None of this is inherently…
Twelve Months of Blueberries. Eight Months of Nothing
For years the biggest South American blueberry companies spread across the map. Mexico, Morocco, Northern Europe, China, Georgia. The mission was simple, if you grow in enough places you can…
The Consultant Who Knows Everything. Or So He Pretends.
Old school growers often expect the consultant to know everything. Every crop, every problem, every symptom, every solution. Preferably on the spot, preferably without hesitation, preferably without checking notes, data,…
How independent is your “independent” consultant?
Most growers say they work with independent consultants. My first question is usually very simple, independent from what exactly? There is nothing wrong with consultants working closely with input suppliers,…
Baja California. The climate is doing its job. Are we?
Imagine growing a premium crop just a few truck hours from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Imagine paying a fraction of California’s labour cost while keeping your fruit practically next…
The Lost Language of Fruit Sales
In consultancy, people often say that 70% of the job is building relationships, and only 30% is the technical part. We can be the best technicians in the world, but…
The Berry Equation: Price × Productivity ÷ People
When growers sit down to plan a berry season, the discussion usually starts with the same question: “When is the best price window?” That’s a good question. But it’s only…
