SBIR-STTR Award

There is a large demand for high quality, locally-grown hops by craft brewers throughout the U.S. Farmers are increasingly looking at establishing small-scale (1/4 to 5 acres) commercial hop yards to supply this demand. Typically, commercial hop farmers use a high trellis system for large-scale production on 60 acres or more. Their hop yard start-up cost (excluding harvesting and processing equipment) is about $6,300 per acre which is roughly 1/2 the cost to put in a small-scale high trellis hop yard. This factor plus a lack of economy of scale for harvesting and post-harvest processing limit the ability of small farms to establish high trellis systems. A much more feasible option is low trellis production. Even though existing low trellis production yields less per acre compared to high trellis production, the plants and pests are significantly easier to manage. If current low trellis production and harvesting technology were improved, then net revenues per acre could be comparable to high trellis production. This would make hop growing a viable option for small growers across the U.S. The objective of this Phase I SBIR project is to assess the technical feasibility of a novel articulating low trellis structure, hardware and harvesting system for growing hops. The system is designed to be practical for small-scale conventional and organic hop production. Harvest equipment will be efficient and more economical than current technology. Other expected advantages of the system’s new cultural technique include hop quality exceeding industry standards, easy cultivar rotation and better disease prevention.

There is a large demand for high quality, locally-grown hops by craft brewers throughout the U.S. Farmers are increasingly looking at establishing small-scale (¼ acre to 5 acres) commercial hop yards to supply this demand. Commercial hop yard infrastructure and harvest equipment currently available for purchase are not practical for many of these farms because they can be too expensive. While many University Extension programs have worked hard to help these farms by trialing cultivars and sharing best production and processing practices, there has been limited work on addressing the need for new equipment options and specific marketing strategies. To address these needs, TGS's novel Low Trellis Production and Harvesting System for Hops (HoPS) is created to be affordable but also capable of producing good yields of high quality hops and allowing efficient harvests. The innovation in this system lies in the advanced manufacturing and software technology and processes used to make the durable trellis system components and compatible mechanical harvesting equipment. No other existing hop trellis structure on the market can be rotated to different positions to make integrated pest management practices and harvesting easier for growers. This Phase II project is anticipated to culminate in an agricultural production product that is sturdy, long-lasting, easy to install and operable by 1-2 people. The harvest system will be designed to offer both small and mid-sized growers a practical option -- either a low cost handheld harvest aid for use in hop yards less than one acre or an optional upgrade to a semi-automated harvester for use in hop yards up to five acres. Commercialization of these unique systems-based products along with usable marketing tools will give underserved growers unprecedented options to make small-scale hop production a profitable business venture in their locales. The major usefulness of HoPS is derived from its ability to be readily installed, to increase labor efficiencies, and to require less annual operating costs. The structure does not need the extensive ground structural support or special equipment for installation and maintenance that conventional hop yards require. Harvests are anticipated to be more efficient because cones are harvested directly off the trellis. The system includes an articulating low trellis structure and hardware system, a compatible hand held mechanical harvest aid and a user guide with specific guidance on production practices, cultivar performance and marketing value added hop products. The key attributes of this technology are: Affordability Reduction in plant management labor hours Increased harvest efficiencies Good return on investment Expanded geographical growing areas