With Vinnet bird net: Save up to 90% of your grape harvest from bird damage, and increase your profit margins with a cost-effective, easy-to-install, environmentally friendly bird protection net.
Bird damage prevention
The effects of bird damage on grapes can be devastating, costing farmers up to R30 000 in damage per hectare. Find out how much you can save with the installation of Vinnet HERE.
The birds’ beaks and claws pierce the fruit, leading to fungal infections such as Botrytis, degradation of the fruit, bacteria, and an influx of insects and mealybugs that are attracted to the oozing juices.
For wine farmers, the rot and degradation of the grapes will ultimately impact the flavour and quality of the wine. Without effective bird protection measures, a viticulturalist could lose up to 50% of his annual harvest.
Save up to 90% of your grape harvest from bird damage and increase your profit margins with a cost-effective, easy-to-install, environmentally friendly bird protection net.
The effects of bird damage on grapes can be devastating, costing farmers up to R30 000 in damage per hectare. Find out how much you can save with the installation of Vinnet HERE.
The birds’ beaks and claws pierce the fruit, leading to fungal infections such as Botrytis, degradation of the fruit, bacteria, and an influx of insects and mealybugs that are attracted to the oozing juices.
For wine farmers, the rot and degradation of the grapes will ultimately impact the flavour and quality of the wine. Without effective bird protection measures, a viticulturalist could lose up to 50% of his annual harvest.
Problem birds in South Africa:
According to a document released by the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, there are a number of identified ‘problem’ bird species in South Africa. These birds are the main culprits when it comes to crop damage.
Typical problem species include:
The Cape white-eye (Zosterops virens)
The African red-eyed bulbul or black-fronted bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans)
The olive thrush (Turdus olivaceus)
White-backed mousebird (Colius colius)
Red-faced mousebird (Urocolius indicus)
Speckled mousebird (Colius striatus)
The Cape sparrow (Passer melanurus)
These problem species generally thrive in forests and woodlands near to the vineyards, and enjoy snacking on the ripening grapes between January and March every year.
Innovator of the Vinnet, Johan Montgomery, says that the entire vineyard may not need netting. Depending on the environment, just the blocks closest to the bird populations would need major protection during critical periods.
Other methods of preventing bird damage to grape vines:
Over the years, farmers have used various methods to try to scare birds away from their vineyards including scarecrows, fake birds of prey, digital sound systems, rotating mirrors, fluttering ribbons, and even banging on drums or shaking pebble-filled cans to scare the birds off!
Whilst partially successful, none of these methods can provide effective 24/7 protection from hungry birds. According to Montgomery, “Farmers and their staff end up having to work overtime during the season as the birds tend to eat early in the morning and just before sunset. More manpower is needed to scare them away during these critical hours.”
Over time, the problem birds become accustomed to conventional methods, and realise that the ‘birds of prey’ are fake. Sound systems and noise control can only take place during the day, and other methods require costly additional manpower.
The Vinnet bird net offers 24/7 protection from bird damage throughout the critical season from when grapes are ripening and maturing through to harvest.
Montgomery – who has over 20 years of experience in viticulture and farming – believes that a combination of bird management methods is ultimately the most effective.
“For example, scarecrows can be moved around the growing blocks so the birds don’t become accustomed to them. Conventional methods like reflective tape can be used in conjunction with Vinnet for an overall effective strategy.”
