Within the framework of the AKER programme, Florimond Desprez has acquired a powerful, innovative machine to harvest its trials not only of sugar beet, but also of fodder beet and industrial chicory. Currently in test phase, the objective for the next campaign is to harvest in excess of 500 micro-plots of sugar beet per day. Using advanced technology, the machine tops, lifts, weighs, shreds and samples; the samples destined for technological analysis in the laboratory are directly frozen inside. This machine is unique of its kind: the measurement of soluble dry matter content by refractometry is effected via the installation of an automatic press specifically designed to produce pressed juice.
