Wellhill Farm, located on Scotland’s Moray Coast, has been operated by the Taylor family since 1926. Now in its fourth generation, the farm is managed by brothers Owen and Duncan Taylor, alongside their mother Ilene. The farm produces sixteen varieties of seed potatoes for both domestic and export markets.
Scottish agriculture presents persistent challenges. At Wellhill, the wet climate and heavy, stony clay soil complicate the sorting of seed potatoes, a task that requires significant labour and accuracy. Labour shortages and inefficiencies in sorting difficult batches prompted the Taylors to seek new solutions to future-proof their operations.
The family turned to Dutch company Flikweert Vision, which specializes in automated sorting equipment for potatoes and onions. After a visit to the Netherlands to see the technology in action, the Taylors invested in two machines: the Divider and the QualityGrader. The Divider removes stones and debris during rough sorting, while the QualityGrader identifies defects such as scabs or damage.
Following installation, the farm saw a threefold increase in pre-sorting capacity and improved grading accuracy. The process also became less labour-intensive, easing workforce challenges while maintaining product quality.
Owen Taylor notes that investment in technology is becoming essential for seed potato growers facing rising standards and shrinking industry numbers. The upgrades have allowed Wellhill to increase speed, consistency, and efficiency, even under demanding soil conditions.
For more information:
Flikweert Vision
Tel: +31 (0) 111 21 90 00
Email: [email protected]
www.flikweertvision.nl
