Weighing up the value of Valente

For Ardmona apple grower Matthew Lenne, carefully weighing the risks and rewards of every decision has become crucial when navigating a growingly complex industry.

After enduring several seasons of severe weather that caused significant damage to his apple crops, the Gouburn Valley grower is now focused on the cost-effectiveness of various anti-hail solutions.

To protect a new planting of Pink Lady apples, Matthew will install a trial block of Valente anti-hail net later this year. While the net was primarily selected to shield crops from hail, it also provides additional benefits, such as protection from the sun and wind.

Matthew expressed confidence, saying it was “a given” that the nets would lead to a marked improvement in pack-out quality due to enhanced growing conditions.

“As growers, we are all thinking very carefully about what we grow and how we grow it,” Matthew said.

“Part of that process has meant a pivot to include crop protection in any new block set-up. Because if you are not properly prepared from the start, that can jeopardise your success in the future.”

As a strong advocate for the industry, Matthew has travelled extensively researching a myriad of orchard design options. Over time, his focus shifted from viewing hail net as a luxury to recognising it as an essential component when planning any new block.

Valente is a solution that has been on the market for more than 60 years and Matthew saw it first-hand in Europe during a study tour.

“I first saw Valente 17 years ago. I’m drawn to it because it enables us to put in a new block with the netting structure and the trellis structure combined so there is a saving there,” Matthew said.

He said that Valente’s appeal would significantly rise if the trial demonstrated Lenne’s orchard can easily install and maintain the nets in-house.

“As growers we want to confirm that we can do as much of the work as possible and that’s why we are keen to dive deeply into the intricacies of the structure.”

He highlighted the advantages of Valente concrete posts, noting their durability and adaptable design.

“I like the idea of concrete posts because they are robust offering a long-lasting solution. I also like the idea that the concrete posts enable the installation of wires with the flexibility to move them easily as the trees grow. So we are not putting in lots of staples and having a post that deteriorates over time,” he said.

Part of the trial for Matthew is to leave the net permanently deployed in a bid to save on labour costs.

“I have chosen a structure that doesn’t have to be put in and out each year because that requires more staff and more labour units which I find hard to get,” he said.

“The ideal result for me is crop protection that eliminates hail damage with an added bonus being to shield from sunburn, retain moisture and limit wind damage.

“Fruit growing is about constantly striving for success, learning how you can do things better and achieving excellence.

“There’s always room to improve and do things better than before, and it’s that daily pursuit that motivates me.”

A standout feature of Valente solutions is the ability to endure extreme hail events, handling up to 60 tonnes of hail per hectare. Its innovative design ensures that both the structure and nets return to their original form without requiring repairs. Additionally, it proves to be highly cost-effective, with thousands of successful installations across Europe and a growing presence in Australia.