A boost for Mass. farmers

Crazy weather and rocky soil aren’t the only obstacles for commercial produce growers in New England. Another challenge is how fast and cheap it is for competitors to truck in vegetables grown in sunnier places. Lately, though, Massachusetts farmers are getting a surprising boost from what might seem like a dull bureaucratic shift: Under government pressure, the trucking industry is adopting electronic devices that automatically track drivers’ hours.

To keep long-distance truckers from falling asleep on the highways, safety standards limit how long they can drive in a day. But the paper log books they previously used left ample room for fudging and cheating. Not anymore. The use of the devices has forced truckers to shorten their runs, raising transportation costs and slowing the movement of produce from California and Arizona.

That, in turn, creates an opportunity for growers like Paul Sellew, the CEO of Devens-based Little Leaf Farms. His company grows lettuce in a 5-acre greenhouse. Leafy greens, he says, should be sold within about 15 days after being picked; Little Leaf can get its lettuce to nearby stores within 24 hours. It makes a difference whether competitors across the country need three days or seven to get their produce on the same shelves.

The shift to electronic loggers has had far-reaching effects. “It’s between a modest improvement and a game-changer,” Sellew said. Demand for drivers is up, as are shipping rates. Some shippers and trucking companies are grumbling. Regardless, these outcomes show how an obscure rule can reshape an industry.