January 2019 - 7

NOTHING
BUT NET
Drape Net a viable option
for orchard protection
The main purpose of Drape Net is to provide hail protection. Photos: Gary Pullano
By Stephen Kloosterman
Associate Editor
An Australian product for tree fruit
crop protection is making inroads to
North America.
Drape Net is a system for literally
draping trees with netting that -
similar to more expensive netting
systems built into trellis systems -
protects the trees and fruit from hail,
birds, pests and sun damage.
Australian origin
Drape Net was created by Michael
Cunial in Australia about 15 years ago,
said Helen Giroux-Taylor, sales manager
for Drape Net North America. Cunial has
been selling the Chinese-manufactured
product in Australia and New Zealand
since that time, and is now in use in
New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania,
Washington, Ontario and Quebec.
Her own family's farm, Chazy
Orchards in Chazy, New York, found
the product when desperate for a hail
protection measure.
" In a span of six years we had four
major hail events, " Giroux-Taylor said.
" We realized that with climate change
and the unpredictable weather patterns
becoming the norm, we had to do
something to mitigate what seems to be
turning into an ever-present risk. We
got in touch with Michael through some
people in the industry whom had seen
his product in New Zealand but hadn't
researched it much, they just knew it was
out there and that it was a possibility.
" We traveled to New Zealand
for a Drape Net field day and were
blown away by the simplicity of the
system, " she said. " We were able to
watch and help put netting on a tree as
well as take it off. "
While structured netting is
prohibitively expensive for many growers,
netting sells for $3,500 per acre and the
applicator, called a Net Wizz, is $17,500.
Giroux-Taylor said the main purpose
of the product is hail protection.
" The branches that Drape Net is
resting on creates a little bit of tension
in the netting that hail will just hit and
either bounce or roll off of the netting, "
Giroux-Taylor said. Besides that, Drape
Net reduces bird damage, reduces
sunburn, reduces wind damage, and
helps with water retention.
Extension tested
The product was featured during the
International Fruit Tree Association
See DRAPE NET, page 8
GREAT LAKES EXPO
Thank you to the attendees and
supporters of the 2018 Great Lakes
EXPO Farm Market Bus Tour for
joining us on our educational tour
in West Michigan! We had three
buses, filled with attendees from
across the country and beyond,
who enjoyed the countless
networking opportunities while
exploring new agritourism and
farm marketing ideas.
Thank you to our host markets for
opening your doors and sharing your
experiences and innovations with us.
Bosch's U-Cut Tree Farm
Visser Farms
Crisp Country Acres
Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant & Winery
Virtue Cider
Mud Lake Farm
Byron Center Meats
Thank you to the
Michigan State University
Extension staff who helped
coordinate stops and
served as moderators and
school-on-wheels guides.
GREAT LAKES
FRUI T, VEGETABLE & FARM MARKET
FGN | JANUARY 2019 | 7
January 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2019
