40 Lakeshore Road, R.R. #5, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

Phone: (905) 646-8085 or Toll Free: 1-866-677-4717

Payback for Wind Machines – A Case Study

A presentation by Hugh Fraser, Agricultural Engineer, OMAFRA, at the Apple Academy in February, 2011 highlighted “Protection Technology” and the use of wind machines to protect apple crops from extreme cold temperatures in the spring. Of course, this technology has already been in use for several years in grapes and now more recently tender fruits. The information below illustrates the benefits and paybacks of wind machines in vineyards.

Capital Cost of Orchard-Rite® Model 2600 = $34,000

Machine, Pad, Install – no HST

Fuel = estimate $35/hour x 4 nights x 6 hours per night average = $840 per year

Service Life = 35 years

# of acres covered = 15 acres

Crop protectedChardonnayCab. Sauvignon

tonnes per acre (1) 4.5 4.0

Price per tonnes(2)$ 1,410$ 1,875

Value of crop per acre$ 6,345$ 7,500

Value of 15 acres (protected by one $ 95,175$ 112,500

Wind Machine)

Revenue generated over 20 years$1,903,500$2,250,000

Less Crop Loss from 6 frost events (4)$ 504,428$ 596,250

= Revenue after 6 frost events$1,399, 072$1,653,750

1 = Establishment and Production Costs for Grapes in Ontario, 2009 Economic Report, Ontario

2 = GGO 2010 VQA pricing

3 = 6 frost events over 20 years with an estimated crop losses of 10%, 25%,40%, 60, 75 and 90%

For an Investment of $34,000 for oneOrchard-Rite® 2600wind machine, you can save $504K (Chardonnay) to $596K (Cabernet Sauvignon) over 20 years if you had 6 typical frost events!

Vineyards Hit by Winter Freeze and Spring Frost Create Other Issues

  • Reduced Yield
  • Replacement vine costs for 2-3 years
  • Additional vine training costs for two years
  • Additional costs for weed control for green shoot re-growth

Additional Benefits with Wind Machines

  • Investment for one machine is only 36% of your gross revenues for ONE YEAR for Chardonnay and only 30% of your gross revenue for ONE YEAR for Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Gives you a piece of mind
  • Protection spring, summer and fall at pre-harvest
  • 10 year financing available to ease investment burden on cash flow
  • Leasing available to assist with cash flow and, in some cases, tax ramifications

The Best Investment You Can Make to Protect Your

Farm FromExtreme Cold Weather & Frost Events!

For site visits and surveys or if you have any questions regarding how Orchard Rite® wind machines could be used in your operation, please contact:

Ken Slingerland – Wind Machine Specialist

Lakeview Vineyard Equipment Inc.,

40 Lakeshore Road, RR5,

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S IJ0

Shop: 905-646-8085

Toll Free: 1-866-677-4717

Cell: 905-651-0057