For many years, growers of sweet cherries, plums and other stone fruit have relied on the innovative covering systems from VOEN Vöhringer. In recent years, however, solutions for protecting a wide range of soft fruit crops, particularly raspberries and blueberries, have also become increasingly important, as Leo Vöhringer, junior manager of the family-owned company based near Lake Constance, tells us. "Thanks to our coverings, the respective crops are protected not only from rain, hail and frost, but also from pests such as spotted wing drosophila and the like, as well as bird damage. Furthermore, our coverings are a proven tool in the fight against heat stress and fungal pressure. The latter is achieved by the self-ventilating system and the stable microclimate."
Right: The AniFrost system from VOEN
In addition to heat and the corresponding pest pressure, frost events in spring have increasingly become a major yield damper, according to Vöhringer, who continues to run a fruit-growing business with his father. In order to be able to combat low temperatures in critical phases, the company developed the AntiFrost VOEN in 2017. Vöhringer: "The pellet stove is easy to operate, the fuel is almost always available and due to the high combustion temperature, the device can be used under foil roofing systems without sooting the foils. Depending on the weather and location of the respective company, temperature differences have often been achieved in recent years that have saved the hard-earned yields of berry and stone fruit producers."
Covering blueberries in Denmark with zip fasteners and the 'Parallel Offset' system
Encouraging results in Germany and Denmark
"We had significantly less disease pressure under the covers," says Danish soft fruit grower Kai Nedergaard Jepsen, who uses the system in his blueberry cultivation. "Drosophila was less of a problem in our area, but other pests, which can be just as devastating, were kept out of the field by the insect net. Compared to the open field blocks, we have repelled significantly more pests overall as a result." He is also extremely satisfied with the harvesting process. "The ability to harvest under the system in the rain significantly increases efficiency. It also enables us to supply the high-quality retailers with a stable quality and quantity throughout the season."
Covering raspberries in southern Germany with the 'Parallel Offset' system
Industry colleagues from the Lorinser fruit-growing business in the Lake Constance area also report increased efficiency in cultivation. "Under the roof, we can pick every day, even when it rains, and thus continuously supply our customers with raspberries of the highest quality. This gives us an enormous competitive advantage over companies that produce in the open field. We have also had no problems with disease or fungal pressure, which is why we have been able to reduce our crop protection efforts under the roof compared to in the open field. There were also fewer issues with the main problems in open-field cultivation, such as sunburn and mold. Another advantage is that we now have work for our seasonal employees every day because we can pick regardless of the weather. It is also much more comfortable for our employees to work under the VOEN roof."
The VOEN staff with Reinhard (3rd from right) and Leo Vöhringer (far right) at this year's Fruchtwelt Bodensee in Friedrichshafen
Photo credit: VOEN Vöhringer GmbH & Co. KG
For more information:
Leo Vöhringer
VOEN Vöhringer GmbH & Co. KG
Eyber Street 9
D-88273 Fronreute
Phone: +49 7502 977950
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.voen.de