- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - - (CLF7000) Advanced Core Cluster : PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCE (CLF7650) Unit Title: HARVESTING CROPS IN CALIFORNIA ____________________________________________________________________________ (CLF7651) Topic: HARVESTING CROPS Time Taught in Year(s) IN CALIFORNIA 3 hours 3 and 4 ____________________________________________________________________________ Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson the student will be able to: Learning Outcome #: (L-3) - Identify two to three characteristics that determine harvest maturity for three crops in your area. (L-4) - List problems involved with the storage and transportation of major California crops. (L-1) - Identify ten specialized types of harvesting equipment and specify the crop each is used to harvest. (L-2) - Discuss the operation of two selected pieces of harvest equipment used locally. Special Materials and Equipment: Brochures, catalogs, farm magazines and equipment company publications. References: Hartman. PLANT SCIENCE. Chapter 12. Pages 267 to 288. Evaluation: Quiz by instructor TOPIC PRESENTATION: HARVESTING CROPS IN CALIFORNIA A. People and their domestic animals need feed and food to support life. 1. Many methods and techniques have been developed to efficiently harvest, store, and preserve the crops that we grow. 2. Practices used in agriculture constantly change to adjust to mechanization. 3. Plant breeding has developed plants that are better adapted to machine operations. 4. Machines are constantly changing as improvements are found and new technology is developed. B. We have a myriad of harvesting machines. A partial list would include: Threshers Balers, cubers Combines Packagers Diggers Washers Shakers, Knockers Pickers Pick up equipment Sorters Rakers Cutters Cathing Frames Elevators Mowers Washers and Brushers Loaders Defuzzers Lifters Cleaners Separators Conveyors Swathers Cutters Haulers Choppers C. Several of these functions are often combined in a single machine. D. These machines may be tractor pulled or self-propelled. E. After the crop is harvested it must be processed, stored and transported. F. Proper storage will prolong the life of harvested agricultural products. 1. It also offers the possibility of moderating the price received by managing the supply available to the market. 2. Storage time varies with the kind of crop, its condition, its qualities, and the conditions under which it is stored. 3. There are several problems involved with the storage and transportation of major California Crops. a. Each commodity (crop) has a specific way that it must be stored and transported. 1) Storage length varies. 2) Temperature at which the product maintains the best storage life varies. 3) Relative humidity at which a crop is stored also varies with each crop. 4) Light, especially the absence of light, is an important consideration of some stored products. b. Some products must be processed or properly packaged before storing or transporting. c. Time and distance to market will affect many of our crops, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. d. Specific types of storage building, bins, or silos must be constructed for some crops. e. Rodents, insect pests, rotting and decaying organisms must constantly be controlled. f. Storage and transportation will add to the cost of each product. __________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY: 1. Have each student select a specific crop in which he has interest and have him list the quality characteristics desired by the consumer. (Note: Ethnic background, customs and personal tastes will vary the desirable characteristics of many of these crops.) a. Examples: VEGETABLES ---------- Fresh Desirable size (preferred by consumer) Proper color, shape for variety Free of blemishes, deformations, sunburns, bruises Free of pest damage Clean Uniform size, shape, color (of anything in multiple units) Free of pesticides Eye appeal (NOTE: Some fruit is picked unripe, but will ripen without loss of flavor after harvest.) Examples are avocado, persimmon, kiwi, banana and pears. FRUIT ------ Fresh Ripe Good rich color (depending on specie, variety, strain) Uniform in size, shape and color Free of blemishes, deformations, sunburns and bruises Free of pest damage Clean Free of pesticides Eye appeal DRY CEREAL, BEANS AND OTHER EDIBLE SEEDS ---------------------------------------- Mature Plumb, of good size for specie and variety Free of insect damage, rodent contamination, fungi and other diseases Uniformity of kernel (seed) size, shape and color Free of foreign matter, weed seeds, chaf, and other crop seeds b. Other crops such as fresh flowers, potted plants, herbs, dry onions, hay and nuts would have similar desirable qualities as those listed above, but would also have other specific desirable quality factors dictated by the nature of their specialty. 2. Have each student select a specific piece of harvest equipment, prepare and present to the class a discussion of its operation. 3. Have each student in class prepare a list of 10 crops and identify the specific harvesting equipment used for its harvest. NOTE: The instructor can collect brochures and catalogs from equipment companies and make use of current farm magazines and farm equipment publications to aid in this unit. __________________________________________________________ 7/25/90 sg #%&C