Recently, Dr. Greg Lang made a compelling presentation at a workshop in the Yarra Valley. He delved into the world of protective covers for cherry orchards to an eager audience.
Dr Lang shared his insights on the value of protective covers when targeting premium produce and higher yield.
He also discussed managing and enhancing crops under protective covers, emphasising specific considerations for growers who adopt this modern system.
In case you missed it, read on for Chris's summary of the presentation.
Dr. Lang's research highlights the real struggles cherry growers face today, including unpredictable weather like rain, wind, and frost, along with bird interference. His findings reveal a concerning 10% increase in annual rainfall over the last 75 years, underscoring the growing frequency of climatic events that can devastate crops.
Dr. Lang went on to showcase effective crop protection systems. He laid bare microclimate shifts under protective covers, including variations in temperature, light, and humidity. He shared expert advice on pivoting growing techniques to overcome any changes and to leverage modern protection solutions.
He emphasised the premium results that can be achieved when the right protective covers are selected for your climate and concerns.
Also presenting at the workshop was cherry adviser from New Zealand Earncsy Weaver. Mr Weaver identified Valente retractable netting systems as world leading in the industry.
Earlier fruit maturity, higher yields and protection against cracking were some of the major benefits Dr Lang described resulting from protective covers. He encouraged growers to know what the potential market opportunities are when predicting returns on their investment in crop protection.
We saw some great results with some growers fetching very high prices.
If you are keen to know more on this subject -
Chris Turnbull
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