Weathering The Storm With Shade Nets

Graaff Fruit has been using nets in several of its orchards for more than a decade. Mac Mackenzie spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how this method reduces climatic risks.

- Glenneis Kriel

Wolseley in the Western Cape is one of the earliest stone fruit producing regions in South Africa, yet production has always been hampered by the wind that rages through the Breede River Valley.

Twelve years ago, the owners of Graaff Fruit, near Wolseley, started planting nectarine and peach trees under shade nets on its farm, Romansrivier, to alleviate the impact of wind damage. This has resulted in healthier, more vigorous trees, with the Class 1 packout rate averaging 30% more than for exposed trees.

Mac Mackenzie, the general manager of Graaff Fruit, says it is difficult to quantify savings, as all their nectarines and peach trees are planted under nets. However, fruit quality, the amount of fruit produced per tree, and tree health were all “definitely better” than for trees not under netting.

Exposed plum trees, for example, are about a year behind those planted under netting, while a Packham pear orchard, planted in 2012, has still not reached full commercial production.

Three years ago, Graaff Fruit also started using shade nets on its farm Rietfontein in the Koue Bokkeveld to protect apple and pear orchards against snow and hail.

BUILT FOR STRENGTH