[ENG] Mechanising Under-Row Management: Efficiency and Sustainability in Blueberry Production

In professional blueberry production, some of the most important operations are also those that can easily be underestimated.

Weed management is a clear example.

Controlling spontaneous vegetation along the crop row can require repeated interventions throughout the production season, affecting labour costs, work organisation and, depending on the production system, the use of herbicides.

With rising production costs and increasing attention to more sustainable soil management, mechanical under-row management is becoming an increasingly interesting option for berry growers.

This is where BFM Italy's experience becomes relevant. The Italian company specialises in the design and manufacturing of agricultural machinery for vineyards and orchards, with a strong focus on inter-row and under-row operations.

When Under-Row Management Becomes an Efficiency Issue

In a blueberry plantation, soil management is not simply an aesthetic matter.

Weeds can compete with plants for water and nutrients and make several crop operations more difficult. At the same time, weed control must take into account the sensitivity of the plants, their root systems and the structure of the plantation.

The challenge becomes even more significant in modern production systems, where growers need to manage substantial areas with increasingly limited labour availability.

Repeating certain operations manually can therefore become expensive and inefficient.

Mechanisation can turn a repetitive task into a more manageable and programmable operation, reducing the time required and increasing the farm's ability to intervene at the right moment.

Not Every Crop Can Be Managed in the Same Way

One of the most interesting aspects of modern agricultural mechanisation is moving beyond the idea that one machine should fit every situation.

An orchard, a vineyard and a berry plantation have different requirements.

Even within the same crop, row spacing, under-row width, terrain conditions, training systems and the presence of mulching or support structures can vary considerably.

For this reason, the possibility of configuring machinery according to the characteristics of the plantation can become a decisive factor.

BFM Italy develops inter-row and under-row machinery that can be configured according to operational requirements, including different working widths, attachment systems, adjustments and optional features. The company also offers solutions specifically designed for orchards and specialised crops.

Reducing Manual Work Without Losing Precision

Mechanisation does not simply mean working faster.

In a crop such as blueberries, precision and control are equally important.

Overly aggressive cultivation can damage plants or interfere with the root environment, while insufficiently effective operations may require additional passes.

The objective is therefore to find the right balance between effective weed management and protection of the plantation.

This is one of the reasons why machinery design needs to start from real operating conditions.

BFM Italy describes its design philosophy around robust, simple and durable machines, developed through direct field experience and close observation of the problems encountered by agricultural operators.

Mechanisation and Reduced Chemical Inputs

Mechanical under-row management can become even more interesting when integrated into a broader sustainable farming strategy.

Reducing dependence on chemical interventions does not necessarily mean eliminating every other form of weed control.

Rather, it means having more tools available and being able to choose, according to plantation conditions and seasonal requirements, the most effective combination of techniques.

Mechanisation can therefore become part of an integrated strategy in which mechanical cultivation, ground-cover management and other agronomic techniques work together to control unwanted vegetation.

BFM identifies among its R&D objectives the reduction of the environmental impact of cultivation operations, limiting chemical inputs and improving soil health.

The Value of a Machine Is Measured in Everyday Work

For a farm, a machine is not purchased simply because of its technical specifications.

Its real value emerges through everyday use.

How many working hours can it save?How many passes can it reduce?How easy is it to adjust?How does it perform under different soil conditions?How easy is it to maintain over time?

These are the questions that ultimately determine the return on investment.

BFM Italy's experience comes directly from the agricultural machinery sector, including machinery repair and maintenance. According to the company's history, this experience contributed to the development of machines designed with particular attention to structural strength, simplicity, reduced maintenance requirements and long-term durability.

A New Approach to Mechanisation for Berry Crops

The future of blueberry production will not be determined by a single technology.

It will be shaped by the integration of genetics, growing media, irrigation, crop protection, harvesting, data management and mechanisation.

Within this system, even apparently simple operations such as under-row management can have a significant impact on the overall profitability of a plantation.

The challenge is therefore not simply to eliminate manual labour.

It is to build production systems in which every operation can be carried out at the right time, with the lowest possible use of resources while maintaining high standards of precision.

This is why under-row mechanisation represents an area where technology and agronomy can meet in a particularly practical way.

Because in agriculture, efficiency often does not come from one major revolution.

It comes from making every single operation simpler, more precise and more sustainable. www.bfmitaly.it