farming and processes
Wholehead
Langmead Farms were pioneers in rig harvesting systems introduced in 1992. Over the years we have constantly innovated and developed our harvesting systems to ensure we are always at the forefront of development and using industry leading technology. Our modern super rigs complete the harvesting and packing process in the field, consequently removing the extra packhouse stage from the process. This reduces the amount of handling and the time taken before dispatch meaning the freshest best quality produce is supplied to the end consumer.
Further development of the rigs has led to the reduction of people and more reliance on machinery. For example, we pack little gem and romaine hearts lettuce using a flow wrap machine instead of bagging by hand. The limiting of human contact after the point of cutting also improves the quality as there is less chance of exposure to damage and bruising. Our rig harvesting methods have been proven to significantly improve the final product quality and shelf life.
Spring onions
Spring onion harvest has traditionally been very labour intensive with all onions pulled from the ground and bunched by hand in the field. We will be embarking on a project in 2009 to develop a field based harvesting and processing rig.
Babyleaf
We started growing babyleaf in 1997 and harvesting by machine in 1998. Our babyleaf harvesters allow us to harvest and part process the product in the field. Leaves are cut using a bandsaw and then transferred up three bouncing belts and over an air canyon to remove foreign bodies and cotyledons. The babyleaves are then packed into field crates. The machines used are constantly being developed to continually improve the process. Over the past ten years the harvesters have been developed to ensure the product quality is the best it possibly can be, and the current focus is on yield improvements.