Imported Machines Replace Imported Workers!
I just picked up a copy of our local newspaper while stoppping at the sandwich shop. I spyed an article in the corner of one sheet: "Picker Puts Steel in Immigration Debate." Apparently some of our vintners, faced with a potential labor shortage, have opted to buy a mechanical harvester, the New Holland Braud, which reportedly can replace forty human workers.
Prevention of fermentation in some varieties is critical, so like any machine, this guy does the night shift, keeping the grapes out of the hot sun. It was able to pick 3.5 tons in 20 minutes. The article states that the same tonnage would have taken 34 man hours. The grapes were immediately taken to refrigeration. One drawback is that this particular machine does not work well in hilly areas such as in Pacific NW vineyards. Perhaps the tires could be replaced with crawler tracks and leveling mechanisms, though. But in Feinstein Country where vineyards are more frequently situated on flat ground it is fine, and also has attachments for other processes.
So even if the US government has severely cut back on funding of agricultural mechanization, other countries are still pushing ahead. How about Japan with its fascination with robotic science and electronics?
This is what AgJobs Senate Bill proponents need to hear: the new technology is already here, even if we have to import it. It is merely awaiting the legislative incentive.
For the grape harvester:
http://www.newholland.com/nh/serbraud.htm
Japanese scientists developed a harvester for Chinese cabbage and other "tuft" vegetables:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20070151223.html
German strawberry harvesting, with machines:
http://www.actahort.org/books/265/265_109.htm
A strawberry pickers "assistant':
http://www.nabersequipment.com/easypick.html
A nut harvester on E-Bay;
http://reviews.ebay.com/BAG-A-NUT-Harve ... 1:SEARCH:3
and "Vision Based algorithms" (i.e computerized photography )
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... n%26sa%3DN
Exchange for agricultural equipment:
http://www.industrystock.com/html/Harve ... 421-0.html
There you have it. A whole world full of inventors, even if the US has put a damper on farm mechanization.. Of course "migrant agricultural workers" are loathe to stay in agriculture, anyway, and quickly find out that construction jobs pay more, and that there are plenty of dirtbag contractors greedy to hire them. Rooting out this invasion will be like catching the greased pig, but I think we need to keep at it.
Let your senators know we need immigration reform now, not in another decade.