With the excitement of footy finals over we’re still celebrating with the announcement of some great new systems.
This edition is packed with exciting news and developments that are happening around Cherry Hill Coolstores. We’ve implemented a new automatic purging system of C02 throughout our coolstores. This will further improve the quality of seed potatoes. We have also installed a new solar panel system that will cover about 20% of all our energy requirements. Read on for more information about these improvements and more interesting news from us including meeting our staff member Jenny and details on Pam and Andrew’s recent travel expeditions.
The team at Cherry Hill Coolstores
IN THIS ISSUE
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| New Automatic Purging System |
Hello Jenny |
Travel Updates |
New Solar System |
Read on for these great articles and much more…
NEW SYSTEM: AUTOMATIC PURGING SYSTEM OF CO2
Andrew Van Den Berg is an Agronomist who works with farmers and coolstores around Tasmania and Australia.
Since March this year, Andrew has been working with us to implement an automatic purging system to help manage CO2 throughout our coolstores, to further improve the quality of seed potatoes looked after by Cherry Hill Coolstores.
“CO2 and Oxygen make up about 21% of our air, with around 0.4% of this being CO2.” Andrew explains “and if the CO2 levels increase above 2.0% in store there is a detrimental effect on the tubers. This basically suffocates the potatoes”.
Seed potatoes are living things, and the better the airflow and purging of CO2 from our , the better quality your seed will be – both when it’s planted and also for the longevity of future generations of seed potatoes.
High percentages of CO2 can lead to a spud that ages prematurely, has less vigour and more, weaker stem numbers – or in more severe circumstances, it can lead to the death of the seed piece. As CO2 is heavier than air and ‘sinks’, tubers at the bottom of the stack may be badly affected while those at the top may be unaffected. When seed is mixed in the truck and planter it can give a ‘shotgun effect’ across a paddock with variable emergence, stem numbers and vigor.
After Andrew presented his CO2 levels data to us, action quickly took place. “It’s full credit to Cherry Hill Coolstores, just how receptive they are to feedback. They’re a real credit to the industry” he remarked.
Based on Andrew’s recommendations, we have now invested in multiple automatic CO2 purging systems and retrofitted them to our existing stores. We have also purchased a hand held unit that can easily check different heights and locations within our stores, to help identify any ‘dead spots’ in our ventilation as well as proof test the automatic systems.
The new system measures CO2, temperatures and humidity. It purges CO2 5-6 times per day as required, and also allows us to monitor CO2 levels remotely, via a smartphone app.
After continual review of our data, CO2 levels are now exactly where they should be, with no further action required … other than consistency. Consistency is crucial for the life and future of all seed potatoes that we look after.
And the seed is looking really good this year – we’ve already started dispatching seed to growers too. On the north west coast we were lucky to have rain at the right time, and Andrew believes it’s looking to be a good season ahead for all.
A huge thank you to Andrew Van Den Berg for his time, expertise and contribution to our newsletter.
Pictured: Above right – Wayne demonstrating how the intake vent works. Above a comparison of graphs reporting on the range of CO2 before and after the new automatic purging system was installed.
CHERRY HILL COOLSTORES SEED GUARANTEE
Our Seed Management Services. Cherry Hill Coolstores will guarantee our services on Seed Growers seed. If you buy someone else’s certified seed, which is presented to Cherry Hill in good condition, and it breaks down, we will replace our cutting and services at no charge.
This guarantee specifically refers to seed piece breakdown (i.e. rot), and refers to seed which is delivered directly to Cherry Hill Coolstores from the seed paddock for chemical application, coolstoring and cutting. In order for this guarantee to be valid, the Buyer must make claims within 24-hours of the seed leaving Cherry Hill Coolstores and 
before planting.
In order for this guarantee to be valid, the buyer must make claims with 24 hours of the seed leaving Cherry Hill and before planting.
View more about our guarantee here.
A SLICE OF LIFE AT CHERRY HILL
We’re pleased to introduce you to Jenny our cleaner.
Jenny has been with Cherry Hill Coolstores since 2015, working every Tuesday to keep us looking spick and span. While the cutting team looks after the sheds, Jenny maintains the rest of our premises, and is in charge of cleaning all our offices, the tearoom and rest rooms. Things have never looked so good!
Jenny is an impeccable worker, with a background in quality control for Tascot Templeton Carpets prior to joining our team. She resides in East Devonport withher husband and pet’s, Bear and Misty, who occupy most of her time! Bear is a three-year-old puppy who is half German Shepherd and half Siberian Husky, a stunning and cuddly mix. Jenny enjoys spending time walking him. Misty is a 10-year-old cat who apparently rules the roost and is “quite a princess!”
Jenny says. When not tending to Misty’s needs, Jenny has recently started a new hobby of sketching and painting. And she must be quite a talent, having already sold one of her masterpieces.
CAPE YORK TRIP – CHEERS
Andrew’s experience sees him a fine Publican
Andrew reflected on his buggy trip to Cape York, which involved 12 days and covered 3500km.
The terrain covered included rivers, up hills, and some pretty tough areas in general. Days started at around 7:30am and continued most days through to the afternoon or early evening. Dinner was supplied, along with a comfy new camp site each day.
And in good form, each participant of the trip were given a job, and Andrew’s was as a publican (i.e. – carry the fridge and keep it cold) and he was pretty happy with the role … as this meant if he got stuck in a ditch or flipped his buggy, that there were only too many kindhearted and generous souls offering to help dig him out. Funny that.
NEW SOLAR SYSTEM
If you’ve visited Cherry Hill lately, it’s hard to miss the construction on the left of the hill as you arrive.
While rumoured we were building an vineyard, we’ve actually been installing solar panels.
We’re always looking at ways to better look after our customers and keep the costs for everyone down, and we believe solar can play a key role in this.
The new system will cover about 20% of our energy requirements at Cherry Hill after it pays for itself in 6.5 years.
Energy is certainly one of our biggest costs. This new system will help keep these costs under control and continue to provide a competitive coolstore service to our customers.
PAM AND ANDREW’S TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND
“It was a relaxing and self-guided trip through the north island of New Zealand” Pam said.
She and Andrew started their journey in Wellington and drove up as far as Auckland. Albeit a quick getaway, they still managed to spy two McCain factories and many green paddocks.
Andrew said he was really impressed with the efficient use of all land, and a real credit to the New Zealand forestry and agricultural management sectors. “Hats off to them” says Andrew, who noted that we could learn a lot from them in terms of effective management of land. “Nothing went to waste” Andrew remarked, not even an abrupt hillside stopped them!
TESTIMONIAL … “A REAL CREDIT TO THE INDUSTRY”
“It’s full credit to Cherry Hill Coolstores, just how receptive they are to feedback. They’re a real credit to the industry.”
Andrew Van Den Berg | Agronomist.
View more of our testimonials here.
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GALLERY ADDITIONS
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WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
P : (03) 6426 1590
F : (03) 6426 2464
E : admin@cherryhill.net.au
Visit our website www.cherryhillcoolstores.net.au