James Downey, National Sales Manager for Polygro®, is in his fortieth year in the horticultural and agricultural business. Here he provides an overview of what Polygro can offer your business to deliver high-quality and safe food production.
Polygro®
Polygro are coming up to 20 years offering turn-key solutions with crop protection products into the horticultural sector.
“We offer the latest innovative and cost effective protective solutions for your growing needs,” James said.
“We supply products via the rural re-seller sector, netting contractors and installers from our national warehousing.”
Typical relevant horticultural netting solutions include:
HailStop® quad hail netting & static hail net
Manufactured via the latest technology utilising BASF UV inhibitors and virgin USA polymers.
“Our little secret is that all our nets go through a manufacturing process so they have a memory in them—so during and after a storm you have the best opportunity to have your net spring back into action when the hail has melted and the wind has abated,” James said.
“I have seen many inferior nets over the years hang on the ground after a storm and cannot be re-tensioned; so have peace of mind, ours do not do that. We also manufacture to suit your requirements.”
GrapeDrape® over-row netting
This netting is perfect for protecting cherries from bird attack.
“We are the major supplier of over-row netting in Australia,” James said. GrapeDrape offers:
• Unique hexagon pattern
• 30gsm
• 15mm hole size
• Full range from 6m up to 25m width in black or white.
“Our nets are uniquely made with our memory process. They are so good we have growers using them as permanent structure netting. We also manufacture to suit your requirements.”
BirdStop® commercial structural bird netting
“Our structural bird nets also have the unique memory process during manufacturing.”
“I have growers ring to say they are amazed that their bird net survived a major hail storm and is still like new, plus it saved their crop.”
The range extends from 15mm and 20mm hexagonal hole size in both 45gm and 52gm weight options. Net is manufactured to suit customer requirements.
–New Product–
Polygro HailStop BeeStop over-row netting
“Well it’s not that new, as we have been supplying this unique product to one of Australia’s largest citrus growers for a number of years,” James said.
“Our manufacturer is also the number-one supplier of bee exclusion net into the USA—no cross pollination or hail damage over there!
“Everyone, get out your Net Wizz and Tatura machines this season, as we are now offering our product to all of the industry.
“We want you to have a product that is not only cost effective, it also incorporates our unique memory process and it includes high UV additives.”
James said that for hail storms you can’t beat a permanent structure (which Polygro also supply), but having the same memory process in your net gives you less stretch and it gives the net a better opportunity to defend against hail before it gets to your prized fruit.
Longevity
Polygro understand the harsh Australian UV conditions and offer 2000 KLY of UV protection with their net.
“To put this in perspective, some nets on the market are being supplied at only 650 KLY,” James said.
“Look after your net and you should expect 15 years UV life when only required to be applied for a few months each year.
“Our factory provides an 8-year pro-rata UV warranty if you want to leave it out 24/7!”
Shade factor
James said at a 14–15% shade factor, white net gives you the best protection from sunburn while maximising light for plant growth.
“The light that penetrates the white net bounces off trees and back onto the white net then back onto plants continuously, giving plants the maximum amount of light to grow.”
“Have you ever wondered why you can see through black, green and transparent nets but can’t see through white net? Well, white reflective light is the answer!
“I have asked growers around Australia and USA why they use transparent nets. Ninety-nine per cent of respondents said they have always used them and didn’t realise it made a difference. The other one per cent weren’t sure why.”
Length, width & delivery of Polygro HailStop BeeStop
Polygro offer widths of 6m, 7.5m and 10m, in 100m lengths, with a standard weight of 60gsm.
“Apart from our stock lines, we can manufacture to your requirements in any width or colour. Allow 8–9 weeks for delivery.”
Price promotion
“We would like you to experience the benefits of our Polygro HailStop BeeStop net this season, and are offering a Best possible price promotion”, James said.
“Provide a genuine alternative quote and we will beat it by 5% minimum.”
For the full range of products visit www.polygro.com.au
For technical and sales information contact James Downey
phone: 0400 893 250
email:
See this article in Tree Fruit July 2020