Today, we’re excited to share the story of a cherry grower from Tasmania, Australia, one of the most renowned cherry-producing regions in the Southern Hemisphere. Known for its cool climate, clean air, and large day-night temperature swings, Tasmania produces cherries of exceptional quality — and our client is no exception. He manages a 10-hectare cherry orchard, specializing in the high-value variety Kordia.
The Challenge: Birds, UV, and Labor Costs
When the client first contacted us, he had several challenges to solve:
- Bird Damage
Sweet cherries are especially attractive to birds — particularly in the final 1–2 weeks before harvest, when the fruit is ripe and sugar levels are high. Bird damage is one of the most destructive natural threats to cherry orchards and can cause significant financial loss if unmanaged. - Hail Risk
Though not frequent, hailstorms in Tasmania can occur unexpectedly, especially in spring or early summer, and cause bruising or fruit drop that impacts export quality. - UV Radiation
While Tasmania’s summer temperatures are not extreme, the ozone layer above the region is thinner, allowing stronger UV radiation to reach the orchard. This increases the risk of sunburned fruit and premature degradation of netting materials. - Labor Shortages & Costs
Australian agricultural labor is both scarce and expensive. The client emphasized that he needed a netting system that could last at least 10 years without frequent replacement. - Late Harvest Advantage
The client also hoped to slightly delay the ripening of his cherries. His goal was to:- Avoid competing with nearby farms for limited harvest labor
- Time his peak harvest for December–January, aligning with Chinese New Year market demand, when cherry prices are at their highest.
Our Solution: QHN-B Netting System with Triple Protection
After two months of technical analysis and discussions, our engineering team developed a customized netting solution — the QHN-B system — that met all his requirements.
Key features of the QHN-B system include:
- Bird Control: A fine, durable mesh structure that physically blocks birds from reaching the fruit, without affecting pollination.
- Hail Protection: Engineered tensile strength to absorb hail impact and prevent bruising or branch breakage.
- UV Stabilization: We applied a special UV additive package tailored to Tasmania’s elevated UV index, offering enhanced resistance and over 10 years of outdoor durability.
- Light Diffusion Properties: The net slightly reduces solar radiation, which not only helps protect fruit from sunburn but also contributes to slightly delaying fruit maturation, aligning harvest timing with market goals.
The Result: Protection, Precision, and a Surprise Gift
Installation was completed ahead of the 2023–2024 cherry season. The system performed as expected:
- No bird attacks were reported during the ripening period
- The orchard avoided damage from a light hail event in late November
- Fruit quality was high, with minimal sunburn
- Harvest occurred slightly later than usual, allowing better labor availability and optimal market timing for the Chinese New Year
And the best part?
Just before our Lunar New Year break, we received a surprise gift from the client — a box of freshly picked Tasmanian cherries, delivered to our office with a thank-you note.
Conclusion
This project showcases how a well-designed, multifunctional netting system can solve multiple agricultural challenges at once — from bird damage to UV risk, from labor coordination to market alignment.
At EyouAgro, we design systems not just to protect crops — but to empower growers with confidence, control, and better outcomes.
Looking to Protect Your Cherries and Hit the Market at the Right Time?
Just like our client in Tasmania, you can reduce bird damage, guard against hail, and improve fruit quality — all while aligning your harvest with peak market demand. At EyouAgro, we customize durable, high-performance netting systems to match your orchard’s specific climate, variety, and commercial goals.
Let us help you turn challenges into a competitive advantage.
