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PRODUCT
QUALITY ANALYSES
The Techmark,
Inc. Laboratory has established a reputation for developing
effective, targeted services to solve specific problems encountered
in agricultural production, storage and handling. Some of
our specialty services are listed here. We continue to design
new services to meet demand for continually improving product
quality. We welcome the challenge and the opportunity to develop
new programs and services. Contact us to see if we can help
you to improve your product.
 Potato
Quality Monitoring Program
Quality of both chip and French fry potato varieties are
monitored. Tuber samples are collected by the grower and transported
to the lab by Techmark, Inc. Samples are immediately analyzed
for the following parameters according to standard wet chemical
methods:
Sugars: Glucose, sucrose
Product evaluation: Color and defects
Laboratory results are summarized and reported via fax within
24 hours of receipt. Analytical results are reported in both
tabular and graphical formats and, with additional harvest
and storage data supplied by growers, are summarized over
time by bin. Additionally, storage data for the entire state
are accumulated and summarized allowing comparisons against
state averages and trends.
ChipPro® advanced potato storage management program
ChipPro
was introduced to Michigan growers in the fall of 2000 as
an opportunity to apply even more science and engineering
their already-progressive potato storage management.
Initially, 8 Michigan growers decided to participate by enrolling
42 potato storages.
As the
first step, Techmark technicians visited each farm location
and measured airflow over the range of inlet openings for
each storage bin enrolled in the new program. Each air
system was evaluated and data recorded for later energy and
air volume calculations. Later, consultations with each
grower provided information about the goal for each storage
bin, actual tonnage of potatoes stored in the building, and
specific management strategy.
Components of ChipPro:
- Pre-season
evaluation of air system in each enrolled storage bin.
- Regular
evaluation of potato quality at least twice per month -
sucrose and glucose analyses, chip color and defect scores,
statewide summary
- A
cumulative library of color digital images of all chip samples
submitted to the lab during the storage season returned
on a CD twice per month.
- Generation
of a special ChipPro ventilation system report – time
course illustration of storage environment data, fresh air
and energy use, and statewide summary of performance.
- Consultation
with Techmark engineers once per month regarding crop and
ventilation performance and its effect on quality of the
samples received at the lab.
Plans
for continuation include collection of additional pre-harvest
field data to better characterize the crop as it is put into
storage. We also expect an increase in the number of storage
bins enrolled in the program for the next season. Please contact
our office for more details or to arrange participation in
the next ChipPro season.
Product
Damage Evaluation
Techmark also manufactures and distributes the Impact
Recording Device (IRD) for evaluation of fruit, vegetable
and egg handling equipment and practices. We also provide
evaluation services on a project or consulting basis |
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 The
self-powered, computerized IRD is run through all types of
harvesting, handling, bagging and processing equipment along
with produce to record all impacts above a product-specific
damage threshold. Data is downloaded to a PC, parameters are
calculated and reports are generated describing the location
and severity of potentially damaging impacts. Our service
includes an on-site technician visit to your location for
thorough evaluation of fruit and vegetable packing lines,
harvesting, washing and handling equipment, egg conveyors
etc. Our technician will spend a day or more thoroughly evaluating
all equipment and practices in question. At After the evaluation,
data is analyzed and interpreted and a summary report, listing
a prioritized list of critical areas, is written, printed
and presented to the facilities manager.
Contact
the lab to schedule evaluation of your systems and practices.
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