As part of this week’s “Change Maker” show of Sarah’s Country, Timbo Deaker from Viticultura shares his nifty idea to keep the pesky birds away from vineyards.

One of the major time-consuming tasks on vineyards is protecting vines as grapes ripen from birds, usually for about eight weeks prior to harvest.

Like most of the primary sector, the viticulture industry has had to grapple with labour shortages and rising costs in the past year, resulting in what Timbo calls a “forced innovation” period.

Using lasers to deter birds draws on images of deadly ray guns shooting the flying targets down in a smoking pile of feathers. The reality is somewhat less spectacular, but proving equally effective in Otago this summer.

To read more, visit the article on Farmers Weekly: https://farmersweekly.co.nz/section/horticulture/view/lasers-target-pesky-birds

To watch the interview, visit www.sarahscountry.com

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Sarah’s Country is produced in a strategic alliance with Farmers Weekly - New Zealand’s most trusted source of agri-journalism - www.farmersweekly.co.nz

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