Customer story
Village Farms, Canada & USA

"In the new cultivation season we will use the Valent O-Hook on a large scale."

Tomato grower, Dirk de Jong – Village Farms

 

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hooks

 

For the past few years, Village Farms in Canada and the USA have been utilizing the Valent O-Hook from Royal Brinkman to secure their tomato plants. Their adoption of the O-Hook began in 2016, marking a significant shift in their cultivation practices. The unique design of the Valent O-Hook, featuring an adapted free fall in the form of an "O," has revolutionized the way tomato plants are secured.

 

With operations spanning two enterprises in Texas, USA, and one in British Columbia, Canada, Village Farms cultivates various tomato varieties across approximately 119 hectares, including beef tomatoes, vine tomatoes, cocktail tomatoes, and specialty varieties. Tomato plant securing across all locations is accomplished using tomato hooks from Royal Brinkman, with Jan Korteland, regional manager of Village Farms in Texas, USA, highlighting their adoption of O-Hooks since 2016.

 

Large-scale test

Jan Korteland explains that Village Farms initiated a large-scale test of the new Valent O-Hook in Texas, covering an area of 16 hectares, as part of their new cultivation practices. The success of this test was evident to their permanent staff, who compared the O-Hook with the standard Extravalent hook. According to Jan, the O-Hook proved to be less time consuming, enabling faster work efficiency. Its innovative design allowed for easy hanging on the wire and quick release of the twine with just one hand, while employees held a supply of hooks in the other hand.

 

hooks in greenhouse

Straight free fall

One of the notable features of the Valent O-Hook is its straight free fall, unlike the standard Extravalent Tomato Hook which is attached with an elastic band. Jan Korteling highlights that the O-Hook's "O" shape allows for a smoother descent without kinks in the wire, resulting in quicker fastening of tomato plants.

 

 

Experiences in Canada

Similarly, Dirk de Jong from Village Farms in British Columbia, Canada, has had positive experiences with the O-Hook. He emphasizes that they plan to use the O-Hook extensively in the upcoming cultivation season.

Royal Brinkman offers the Valent brand, specifically developed for various vegetable crops. Valent products, including twine, clips, and hooks, aim to enhance labour savings and efficiency. The twine is designed to prevent stretching and breakage, while the clips are easy to re-clip and reduce the risk of Botrytis. The hooks are available in three different varieties to suit various crop needs.

hooks in a tomato greenhouse

hook in greenhouse

greenhouse with tomatoes and hooks

 

We at Royal Brinkman offer the brand Valent. The brand can be used for various vegetable crops. Valent has been developed to improve the following products often used in vegetable cultivation: Twine, Clips and Hooks. The products are specially developed by growers for growers, with the aim of increasing labor savings.

The twine has been specifically developed to ensure that there is no stretching. The twine has also been made to be stronger so it can not break. The clips are easy to re-clip and reduce the risk of Botrytis. The hooks are developed to make them easier to hang, there are three different hooks available so every grower can find a suitable hook for her crop. 

If you would like to know more about the Valent brand, please click on the link below.

 


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