Re: Brix

Another angle

If farmers can use brix readings to supposedly grow better crops, then how does that work ?

The farmer plants seed, prays for rain and his prayers are answered, then the crop ripens. He takes a brix reading. Drats ! The reading is low. What's his recourse, or ability to make any adjustment ? Spray the field with pickling lime and vinegar and kelp mulch ? Call in the horses and cattle to eat all those low brix canteloupe so they can fertilize the field ? Plant alfalfa and wait two years, then re-seed with watermellon again ?

A farmer taking brix readings has no ability to adjust his crop based on the information. It gives only a binary result, at the end of the season.

Also, I'll be sure to keep my eye out for the nerds carrying their refractometer setup to the grocery store, and avoid them at all costs !!!