Abstract

This research analyzes the optimal harvesting policy and the optimal timing for ordering a rented self-propelled blueberry harvester for maximizing the total expected profit. The paper proposes a stochastic model that takes into account two types of uncertainties:
1) the exact date when the crop will be ready for harvesting (fruition) is unknown; 2) the exact quantity of the crop in the field is unknown. Another factor that is taken into account is the decreasing price of the crop during the harvesting season.