Currently, most of the vines grown in the province have reached or are approaching complete veraison. At this phenological stage, the berries turn from green to yellow, pink, or red depending on the variety, start the development of flavors and aromas, and accumulate sugar for the winemaking process.
One of the biggest considerations at this time
of the year is the protection of the fruit zone from birds, raccoons and deer. One
of the most common ways to protect the bunches is the use of nets, which cover
the fruit zone from the top of the bunches to below the first wire. In some
cases, nets can be used to completely cover 2 full rows at a time. Regardless
of the strategy selected, it is important to ensure proper coverage of the
area, fastening the edges with staples/clips/pegs, to prevent birds or racoons from
entering.
Figure 1. Vineyard during the process of netting the fruit zone.
Figure 2. Grapevines
with netting completely protecting the fruit zone.
Another
strategy to help prevent raccoons from visiting the grapevines is the use of
electric fencing. For the most positive results, it’s important to protect the
entire perimeter of the property. Moreover, to ensure the correct voltage to
the whole fence, the area where the wires are located must be connected properly.
Making some measurements prior to setting up the fence would be recommended. Keeping
the area clean of weeds will prevent short circuiting and allow the proper functioning
of the electric fence.
Figure 3. Electric
fence protecting the perimeter of the vineyard.
Other devices to help with the protection of the vineyard include kites, sonic devices, and canons. The following guidelines must be kept in mind when using sonic devices:
- There should be a distance of at least 175 m (575 ft.) between a sonic device and any of the following, if it is set to emit sound above 100 decibels.
- a private dwelling other than the property on which the sonic device is located
- a public road or public pathway
- For a sonic device that is set to emit sound of 100 decibels or less, the minimum separation distance may be reduced to125 m (410 ft.).
- There should be a distance of at least 75 m (245 ft.) between any two sonic devices in use.
- Directional sonic devices should not be pointed in line with a crop row, or in the direction of any of the following:
- a private dwelling;
- a public road or public pathway.
- Where practical, sonic devices should be moved weekly so birds and animals do not get use to their location.
- A sonic device should be fired only during the period between 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset.
- The maximum frequency at which a sonic device should be fired is either
- 1 activation every 5 minutes; or
- 12 activations every hour.
- A farmer may obtain written consent from their neighbours to a shorter minimum distance than indicated above.
- Minimum separation distances may be reduced if there are no private dwellings, public roads or public pathways adjacent to the farm property, or a large buffer exists (example trees, hill, watercourse) that will buffer the noise.
Finally, the
combination of different strategies will be helpful in the management and
protection of the crop before harvest.
Figure 4. Kite combined on the left with netting and on the right with a sonic device.