April 24, 2018
Vineyard replaced grape netting with laser bird repellent devices
Griffin’s vineyard achieved a 99.8% reduction after replacing grape netting with laser bird repellent devices
| Location: | Sonoma County, California, USA |
| Application context: | Vineyard |
| Problem definition: | Crop loss due to bird damage in the vineyard |
| Pest bird species: | Finches (Passerida) |
| Bird behavior: | Foraging and perching |
| Time of bird presence during the year: | June – September |
| Time of bird presence during the day: | From dawn to dusk |
| Number of birds before installation: | 1000s |
| Number of birds after installation: | 2 |
| Birds reduction after the Autonomics have been installed: | 99.8% |
| Laser projection area: | 21 acres |
| In use since: | May 2017 |
| Number of systems: | 4 x Agrilaser Autonomic 500 |
Laser bird repellent technology solves bird problem in wine grape industry
Wine grape industry in the United States
The United States wine grape industries contributed more than 162 billion US dollars annually to the American economy in 2007 and this number still keeps growing1. According to The National Association of American Wineries, grapes are the highest value fruit crop in the US2. California, Washington and New York are the top 3 states with the highest grape production level in 20163.
Grape production in the United States in 2016, by state
Despite the overall positive situation in the American grape industry, there is a significant and important problem which makes the grape growers suffer and lose millions of dollars – birds. Crop loss due to birds is a long-lasting, very costly and severe problem for many growers. The research “Crop Protection. Bird damage to select fruit crops: The cost of damage and the benefits of control in five states” says that bird damage is one of the significant factors influencing the profit of the farms in California.4
Impact of bird damage on the profit of the farm
The table “Annual bird damage per state” from the same research demonstrates the annual bird damage in fruit production per acre and statewide. The highest bird damage cost per state is 49,099,613 US dollars in California from the researched five states.
Annual bird damage per state
Bird damage in wine grapes (USD)
| Per acre | Statewide | |
|---|---|---|
| California | 100 | 49,099,613 |
| Michigan | 174 | 2,472,268 |
| New York | 93 | 3,452,595 |
| Oregon | 232 | 2,675,986 |
| Washington | 383 | 12,892,063 |
Bird species responsible for crop damage
The birds that are responsible for damage to wine grapes in the researched five states include European Starlings, American Robins and Wild Turkey.
| Top 3 birds responsible for wine grape damage |
| European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) |
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) |
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) |
The data illustrates how severe the damage of birds to fruit industry and farming is. Bird damage to grapes is largely due to the inability of farmers to successfully repel birds, they are relying on inefficient bird deterrence methods.
Current yield-loss due to bird damage in grape growing
Bird damage in wine grapes (%)
| California | 2.9 % |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 9.2 % |
| New York | 5.6 % |
| Oregon | 4.9 % |
| Washington | 7.6 % |
Laser bird repellent at Griffin’s Lair vineyard
Griffin’s Lair Vineyard is located in the southernmost part of the Sonoma Coast AVA (American Viticultural Appellation), California, USA. The vineyard is owned and managed by Joan and Jim Griffin. Their main grape types are premium pinot noir and syrah.
Griffin’s Lair Vineyard is committed to sustainable practices, environmentally and socially including improving the soil, streams, wildlife habitat, grasslands, and other natural resources on the property, investing in organic products and integrated pest management programs and respecting vineyard workers.
The vineyard’s biggest pest problem was bird damage to grapes. Jim Griffin, Owner of Griffin’s Lair, says that he spent more than 25,000 US dollars per year (which is 1,190 US dollars per acre) on Grape Netting and labor costs as bird control methods. Grape Netting was very costly and required extra labor force. That was the reason why Jim went in search of a new more convenient and effective bird repellent. Meanwhile Jim’s wife had read of Bird Control Group and was very excited about the automated laser bird repellents. She immediately told Jim to contact Bird Control Group to get informed more on the lasers.
Very quickly, Jim got 4 automated lasers installed on the vineyard. He is happy with the results – a 99.8% reduction in birds!
“We have tried many bird repellent measures but most are difficult and lasers make it easier and very effective.”
Jim Griffin, Owner of Griffin’s Lair
Bird Control Group’s automated laser bird repellent provides 24/7 protection from wild birds by shining a green laser light in the area affected by the problem. Get in touch via the form below if you are interested in learning more.
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