It was recently reported that only 5 to 10% of Belgian cherries are covered. "We notice that there are extreme weather condition more often and advise growers to cover their cherries," says producer Bert Nicolai. "Without a cover you only average around half of harvest in bad weather. With a cover there is more certainty."
Advantages
Bart sums up the advantages of the covering system of his company, Nicolai Protect Systems. "First of all there is a large harvest certainty in rain and the cherries have no bursts. The average price will also rise. There is continuity in sales and marketing with the system and the products are of good quality. There is also less damage by birds."
These aren't the only advantages. "During the night frosts in spring there is a temperature advantage of 6 to 7 degrees under the cover, combined with paraffin candles placed around the plot. Other advantages are that it's positive for fruit production, as you are creating a micro climate. This also prevents wind and sunburn and there is less drift during spraying." Customers can also order a separate insect net. "This is the ideal solution against Drosophila suzukii and cherry fly. These advantages offer you concrete possibilities to immediately earn back the cost price."
Multiple ways
At the moment he offers various types of covers. "The classic system is at a price level between 28 and 43,000 Euro per hectare. A rolling system can be added later. The recently developed new system including a rolling system and ventilation is around 80,000 Euro per hectare. It seems like a luxury investment, but it certainly isn't. It's needed. We tailor everything to the customer. They are both of very good quality. The big difference is that you lose more time with the classic system and need four to six people, an annual cost of around 1000 to 1500 Euro to open and close. The new system is much faster in rolling the foil up and down - within 2 to 3 hours per hectare - and can done with two people. This saves a lot of money. Recently the new cover was installed at pcfruit in Sint-Truiden."
Multiple ways
At the moment he offers various types of covers. "The classic system is at a price level between 28 and 43,000 Euro per hectare. A rolling system can be added later. The recently developed new system including a rolling system and ventilation is around 80,000 Euro per hectare. It seems like a luxury investment, but it certainly isn't. It's needed. We tailor everything to the customer. They are both of very good quality. The big difference is that you lose more time with the classic system and need four to six people, an annual cost of around 1000 to 1500 Euro to open and close. The new system is much faster in rolling the foil up and down - within 2 to 3 hours per hectare - and can done with two people. This saves a lot of money. Recently the new cover was installed at pcfruit in Sint-Truiden."