Fewer sleepless nights for fruit growers thanks to hail nets

Damage caused by hail, this is something that fruit farmers in Haspengouw are always very afraid of because it makes apples and pears almost valueless. The Test Centre for Fruit Production in Sint-Truiden is now trying to convince fruit growers to invest in computer-controlled hail nets.

Hail nets are finely woven plastic nets that are stretched over the fruit plantations with large poles. ''They open and close automatically when hail is predicted'', says Dany Bylemans of PC Fruit: ''This is important, especially for pears. Because those trees need a lot of light. If you always allow the nets in, they won't make bones the following year. In the case of apple trees, nets can always remain closed.''

On Sunday, The test Centre for Fruit Production will give a demonstration of the hail nets. 

https://radio2.be/limburg/minders-slapeloze-nachten-voor-fruittelers-door-hagelnetten