More extreme heat, rain and wind patterns are causing increased challenges to growers around the world, especially in warmer winter production areas. To maximize and extend strawberry harvests, producers are needing to protect their crops from heavy rains and punishing heat. On the other hand, producers of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers that use low tech net houses are now struggling with unseasonal rains, dew and excessive heat getting trapped inside their net houses.
"Solving both heat and rain has been difficult or financially not feasible since protecting crops from rain typically requires a poly covered tunnel or a greenhouse, which makes conditions hotter inside. Net houses or shade houses on the other hand do not keep plants dry during rainfall. Another complicating factor is that existing retractable roof solutions that could protect crops from rain and heat are too expensive for many crops" says Richard Vollebregt of Cravo Equipment. "However, there is good news as we've developed a new lower cost model that is perfect for crops like berries and vine crops including tomatoes, capsicum and cucumbers."
Low-cost solution: Flat Roof + Auto-Dry™
"This new low-cost solution combines our time tested retractable Flat Roof house with our Auto-Dry™ motorized rain shelter system." The Flat Roof + Auto-Dry™ systems each operate independently, allowing for maximum control and flexibility. They are designed to cover large fields of crops without compromising cooling and ventilation that is typical in tunnels or multi span greenhouses.
Flat Roof provides maximum cooling or insect protection
The Flat Roof house model is now over 40 years old and has withstood extreme wind and hailstorms, using water porous roof coverings that typically last 8-12 years. To achieve maximum cooling, the Flat Roof coverings are 6m. or almost 20ft. above the ground, making them ideal for hot desert or tropical climates. When producing crops like berries that need to be protected from the strong sun radiation, white cooling roofs can be used. When producing crops like tomatoes, the flat roof covering can be an insect net and the net can be stationary or retractable. Retractable insect nets are ideal for situations where the crop mix could change or if the region is susceptible to hurricanes, cyclones or typhoons.
Auto-Dry™ motorized rain shelter provides protection from rain, dew, cold
The Auto-Dry™ rain shelter system helps maintain yield and quality during the rain periods but also can maintain warmer temperatures and minimize dew in the winter, helping to increase production and reduce disease pressure. The Auto-Dry™ system is located under the Flat Roof so that holds the heat closer to the crops at night and directs rainfall closer to the ground. The roof can also be closed partway under the insect net to provide for additional blocking of the sun radiation during the hot afternoon periods for sensitive crops like capsicum and cucumbers. Since the Auto-Dry™ rain shelter covering is less wind resistant than the Flat Roof coverings, the Flat Roof can be closed in high winds to protect the Auto-Dry™ coverings.
Low cost
"The combination of Flat Roof + Auto-Dry™ is the lowest cost solution available that can optimally manage both heat and rain," says Vollebregt. Prices for materials for the complete structure, with the motorized Flat Roof system and the Auto-Dry™ motorized rain shelter system start at US$200,000 per hectare. In addition to a relatively low one-time investment, utility costs and electrical hook ups are also favorable since one motor powers up to 9,000m², and uses only three to five kWh of electricity per day/ha.
"All in all, this new system will lower the investment to provide optimal growing conditions over many hectares, giving growers greater control over their crops and ultimately resulting in higher yields and a longer harvest window."
Click below for a short video on the new system:
Link to the Spanish video: https://youtu.be/cYUUjwcCENA
Link to the video in Arabic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB6K46D2OSg
For more information:
Richard Vollebregt
Cravo Equipment Ltd
Phone: +(1) 519 759 8226 x 215
[email protected]
www.cravo.com