OSF News & Analysis

Okanagan Specialty Fruits Invests in AI for Harvest Forecasts

Okanagan Specialty Fruits manages over 1,250 acres of apple orchards in Washington and is implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to predict harvest dates. Joel Carter from the company noted that weather conditions can disrupt optimal harvesting times, impacting productivity. AI models analyze data to assist farmers in planning more accurately, which can prevent hiring unnecessary seasonal workers. This approach is especially vital as prices for fruits like strawberries can vary significantly, making timely harvesting crucial for maximizing profits.