HUMIDITY CONTROL


picked’ condition for up to 8 weeks and even more when late winter growing and harvesting conditions are poor.


Additional benefits also include lower energy costs, as this process promotes more efficient cooling with less energy used.


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This extended shelf life means product can be stored for longer periods, or when weather conditions are poor – otherwise known as strategic cropping. And with Brexit issues of extended transportation times, these systems enable growers to harvest when field conditions are good and staff are available, so that produce can then be held in the cold store until required. This offers increased flexibility and enables resources to be managed rather than be driven by fluctuating supply and demand.


Reduced plastic and wastage


Reducing plastic and packaging, and minimising food wastage, are both issues gaining significant momentum in recent years, and consumers are increasingly demanding evidence that producers and retailers have this in mind. The use of ultrasonic humidification is therefore gaining popularity as not only does it enable less plastic in the cold store, but the produce will have a longer shelf life in the retail environment with or without plastic – thereby also helping the fight against food wastage.


These crop hydration systems can be retro fitted into existing cold stores or installed for new build or indoor growing rooms. Humidity Solutions offer ongoing support in the form of a nationwide team of qualified specialist engineers.


Medicinal cannabis


Medicinal cannabis is becoming a growing part of the agriculture industry in the UK.


Cannabis requires a particular way of growing and there are some similarities and differences between growing cannabis and growing vegetables/herbs indoors.


The ideal humidity for cannabis plants in seedling form is 70%, dropping to 50%-55% while in flowering and vegetative form, and reducing furthermore for the drying purpose to around 40-50%. These figures could differ depending on the genetics of the cannabis plant but with any drying process it is important not to dry too quickly so a gradual drying process is required.


Mould can be problematic for cannabis production so it is vital the correct humidity is adhered to as mould can spread quickly through the crop and, once present, can lead to the whole


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crop being rejected as strict standards need to be adhered to in order to ensure the consistency and quality of the products that medical practitioners prescribe to their patients.


Meat and dairy


Humidity control isn’t just essential in the crop growing industry. It’s also important for meat production, specifically in abattoirs to reduce financial losses and waste. It can lead to positive operation benefits if done well. The main financial loss in an abattoir is meat losing weight as it is cooled from a body temperature of 37°C down to 12°C in a 12-hour period. It’s fairly typical for a carcass to lose up to 3% of its weight during this refrigeration process. To combat this, very fine sprays (produced by high-pressure water systems) can be used to surround carcasses with high humidity air, around


95% relative humidity (RH).


This reduces the evaporation process and limits the amount of weight lost during refrigeration. Because the higher humidity air contains more water, as the carcass cools the air around it becomes a source of moisture, not a drain of it, keeping moisture in the product. Other sectors within the food industry also need humidity control and are often not considered. Bakeries, mushroom farms, cheese and dairy, charcuterie, poultry and fish all also require strict humidity control of the conditions to be effective.


As our world changes, the climactic conditions our food is grown, produced and stored in has never been more important, and humidity control solutions are an essential step in reducing waste and managing demand in today's ever-increasing population.


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