How Thorland Brothers Farms Improved Potato Selection with Raytec Vision Technology

Thorland Brothers Farms is an agricultural business specializing in large-scale potato cultivation. Currently, the farm manages an impressive annual production of approximately 35 million pounds.

Operating on such high volumes requires highly efficient processes to ensure both consistent quality and continuity in daily output.

The Challenge: Labor Shortages and Quality Control

One of the main operational problems faced by the company was the growing difficulty in finding qualified staff for the manual sorting of potatoes.

Consequently, this critical situation led directly to:

• A severe reduction in overall operational efficiency
• Greater difficulty in maintaining high quality standards across batches
• An increased pressure on general operating costs

Furthermore, when efficiency and labor availability fail, the final quality of the harvested product is highly likely to suffer.

The Choice of Raytec Optical Sorter

While attending a major agricultural show, the farming team discovered Raytec technology. Specifically, they were introduced to the Ingenuity system, which was immediately deemed suitable for their specific operational needs.

As a result, Thorland Brothers Farms became one of the pioneer companies to adopt this advanced sorting solution in the United States.

Ingenuity Technology and Dual Vision

One of the most distinctive elements of the Ingenuity machine is its advanced dual-vision system, which allows each potato to be thoroughly analyzed from both sides.

Indeed, this represents a big step forward compared to traditional manual selection, which typically allows operators to inspect only a portion of the product.

Thanks to this automated vision technology, it is now possible to easily identify:

• Organic debris including grass, corn cobs, and corn crowns 
• Green potatoes and discolored produce
• Foreign objects such as stones and soil clods

Results: More Efficiency, Quality, and Rapid ROI

The introduction of the Raytec optical sorter has brought concrete, measurable results to daily farm operations.

Specifically, the benefits include:

✅ 60% reduction in required workforce

✅ Increased overall productivity

✅ Improved final product quality

✅ Significant increase in the quantity of sellable product

In addition to these operational benefits, another key figure is the impressive return on investment (ROI), which was fully achieved in only about two seasons.

Technical Support and Machine Implementation

The implementation process was directly supported by the expert Raytec team, who provided comprehensive assistance throughout every stage:

• Complete machine installation
• In-depth operational training for staff
• Continuous post-sale technical support

Therefore, the dedicated technicians supported the company closely to ensure a completely autonomous and effective use of the machinery. Moreover, an added strategic benefit is the ready availability of original spare parts at Raytec’s U.S. location. This local presence is essential to reduce any potential downtime during peak harvesting periods. Discover our Raytec technical services.

Moreover, an added strategic benefit is the ready availability of original spare parts at Raytec’s U.S. location. This local presence is essential to reduce any potential downtime during peak harvesting periods.

A Look at the Future of Agriculture

For Thorland Brothers Farms, adopting optical sorting represents a fundamental step towards an increasingly technological and efficient agricultural model.

In fact, the general perception is clear: these automated machines will soon become a widespread standard across the entire agricultural sector.

Ultimately, the Ingenuity system not only met initial expectations, but actually exceeded them, solidly confirming itself as a strategic investment for long-term growth.