November 2023 - 9

From paper, to tech
Grower Case Study
From paper, to tech
Grower Case Study
KAST
FARMS
BY KYLIE HALL
HECTRE MARKETING MANAGER
K
K
BY KYLIE HALL
HECTRE MARKETING MANAGER
ast Farms is a fifth-generation family-owned and
operated agricultural business nestled in the
scenic western part of New York State, just five
miles south of Lake Ontario.
The farm is managed by brothers Brett and John Kast,
ast Farms is a fifth-generation family-owned and
operated agricultural business nestled in the
scenic western part of New York State, just five
miles south of Lake Ontario.
The farm is managed by brothers Brett and John Kast,
who oversee a diverse operation spanning 4,500 acres,
including 500 acres of apple trees and 20 acres of cherries.
As for many growers, navigating evolving
labor laws like the gradual reduction
in overtime thresholds, has
been a challenge. In response,
they're focused on modernizing
their orchards, incorporating
labor-saving technologies, and
mechanizing wherever possible.
In this article, Brett Kast,
Orchard Manager at Kast
Farms shares his experience
of implementing the Hectre
Orchard Management App.
Orchard Manager at Kast
Farms shares his experience
of implementing the Hectre
Orchard Management App.
Streamlining for efficiency
I was reluctant to introduce technology onto the farm,
as I'm typically averse to change. But when a neighbor
began using Hectre, we realized a shift was needed to
improve operational efficiencies and tracking.
We used to have paper time cards and QC sheets for
Streamlining for efficiency
I was reluctant to introduce technology onto the farm,
as I'm typically averse to change. But when a neighbor
began using Hectre, we realized a shift was needed to
improve operational efficiencies and tracking.
We used to have paper time cards and QC sheets for
payroll and tracking purposes. At the end of the day, we'd
have to tally numbers, sign off the number of bins, and
get all the paperwork to the office.
The cumbersome task of manually transferring
payroll and tracking purposes. At the end of the day, we'd
have to tally numbers, sign off the number of bins, and
get all the paperwork to the office.
The cumbersome task of manually transferring
this information into payroll sheets and spreadsheets
followed. It was a time-consuming manual process which
during harvest, consumed about two hours every night for
two straight months.
Then when a picker claimed to have packed seven
boxes, but it was only written down as six, tracking and
resolving such problems was extremely time-wasting,
and involved sifting through stacks of paper slips late
into the night.
this information into payroll sheets and spreadsheets
followed. It was a time-consuming manual process which
during harvest, consumed about two hours every night for
two straight months.
Then when a picker claimed to have packed seven
boxes, but it was only written down as six, tracking and
resolving such problems was extremely time-wasting,
and involved sifting through stacks of paper slips late
into the night.
who oversee a diverse operation spanning 4,500 acres,
including 500 acres of apple trees and 20 acres of cherries.
As for many growers, navigating evolving
labor laws like the gradual reduction
in overtime thresholds, has
been a challenge. In response,
they're focused on modernizing
their orchards, incorporating
labor-saving technologies, and
mechanizing wherever possible.
In this article, Brett Kast,
KAST
FARMS
With Hectre, timesheets and payroll are automated, and
we have a digital record that is easily accessible on the app.
Elevating quality control
We employ nine QC personnel. Before Hectre, they
Elevating quality control
We employ nine QC personnel. Before Hectre, they
would spend a lot of time handling paperwork, taking up
to an hour to manually write, reconcile, and then perform
data entry back at the office. With Hectre, we're able to
monitor picker performance throughout the season.
Our quality control personnel can easily inspect,
tag, and record QC information on the go and
Hectre equips us with data-driven insights
for constructive feedback and
targeted improvements. This
results in greater accountability,
as team members can no longer
deflect blame when quality
concerns arise.
Instead of concentrating on
speed, like the number of bins
picked per day, technology is
enabling us to integrate quality
into these measures. And we're saving at least 30
to 40 man-hours per week.
Data for decisions
If we need to access specific information, it's as simple
as pressing a few buttons.
We particularly liked Hectre's capability to geoas
pressing a few buttons.
We particularly liked Hectre's capability to geotag
bins in the field, create yield maps, and address
block-specific issues. The ability to track costs,
identify high-performing blocks, and pinpoint areas
where efficiency could be improved
was another deciding factor.
I would recommend Hectre to other
growers, and not just for the efficiency
gains. We've
also been highly
impressed with the
responsiveness and
support provided by
their team.
www.hectre.com
growers, and not just for the efficiency
gains. We've
also been highly
impressed with the
responsiveness and
support provided by
their team.
www.hectre.com
tag bins in the field, create yield maps, and address
block-specific issues. The ability to track costs,
identify high-performing blocks, and pinpoint areas
where efficiency could be improved
was another deciding factor.
I would recommend Hectre to other
would spend a lot of time handling paperwork, taking up
to an hour to manually write, reconcile, and then perform
data entry back at the office. With Hectre, we're able to
monitor picker performance throughout the season.
Our quality control personnel can easily inspect,
tag, and record QC information on the go and
Hectre equips us with data-driven insights
for constructive feedback and
targeted improvements. This
results in greater accountability,
as team members can no longer
deflect blame when quality
concerns arise.
Instead of concentrating on
speed, like the number of bins
picked per day, technology is
enabling us to integrate quality
into these measures. And we're saving at least 30
to 40 man-hours per week.
Data for decisions
If we need to access specific information, it's as simple
With Hectre, timesheets and payroll are automated, and
we have a digital record that is easily accessible on the app.
http://www.hectre.com http://www.hectre.com
November 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2023
