In the realm of cutting-edge technology and agricultural consultancy, there exists a brand that has stood the test of time, weathered countless seasons, and continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible.That brand is FrostBoss®—a name synonymous with innovation, integrity, and unwavering commitment.
A new dawn: FrostBoss® blade factory unveiling
On September 26, 2023, as FrostBoss prepares to unfurl a new chapter in its illustrious history as the curtains rise on a groundbreaking $12 million composite blade factory, one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and a testament to the business’ pursuit of excellence.
This state-of-the-art facility stands as a beacon of progress, where robotics technology seamlessly orchestrates a symphony of operations on their proprietary frost fan blades, from meticulous trimming to precision sanding and flawless paint spraying. The result? A level of manufacturing precision and consistency that’s nothing short of remarkable.
“Our blades set us apart”, explains Chris Kay, Chief Marketing Officer for FrostBoss. Their aerodynamic design means our fans make the least possible noise with low-fuel consumption whilst covering a similar or greater area than competing machines which don’t have the same blade technology.
“When comparing our machines to others, at the equivalent fan speed (rpm), we believe we have the best performing machine on the market based on these three parameters: noise, fuel-efficiency and coverage.”
The significance of this factory goes far beyond the impressive robotics. With its unparalleled production capacity, FrostBoss is poised to meet the ever-growing demand for its innovative frost fan solutions. Timely delivery and heightened customer satisfaction are just a few of the immediate benefits that this expansion brings.
Moreover, FrostBoss underscores its commitment to the well-being of its workforce by entrusting robotic systems with hazardous tasks. The result is a work environment that places safety at the forefront, ensuring every employee returns home safe and sound.
With this increased capacity, FrostBoss can now dedicate its efforts to serving requests from growers to retrofit their existing 2-blade frost fans by other brands with FrostBoss blades, which makes them not just quieter but also remarkably more fuel-efficient. In an era where sustainability takes centre stage, FrostBoss leads the charge towards a greener, more eco-conscious future.
FrostConsult™—empowering growers with cutting-edge frost defence strategies
Beyond the realm of frost fan solutions, FrostBoss has extended its hand to the world of agricultural consultancy through FrostConsult™.
Under the guidance of Dr Stu Powell, an expert in frost studies, FrostConsult promises to revolutionise the protection of horticultural crops, not just in Australia and New Zealand, but across the globe.
Dr Stu’s illustrious career spans decades, boasting an impeccable track record in frost studies. He formed Climate Consulting Limited, trading as FrostConsult, in 2005 and initially provided frost forecasts to the Marlborough and Waipara wine growing regions in New Zealand.
Over time, it has evolved into a global force, offering site-specific frost protection advice to orchards and vineyards across Australia, New Zealand and parts of the Unites States.
What sets FrostConsult apart is its unwavering commitment to providing science-backed solutions. Their comprehensive reports, crafted by industry-leading experts, are tailored to meet the unique needs of insurance companies, banks, investors, and agricultural enterprises.
Whether you’re in need of financing or seeking to optimize your frost protection strategy, FrostConsult has the expertise to guide you on your journey.
Client Story—Cobram Estate Olives in Victoria, Australia.
Cobram Estate Olives is Australia’s largest producer and market leader of premium quality extra virgin olive oil with 2.4 million olive trees progressively planted on over 6,500 hectares of farmland in Central and North-West Victoria.
In July 2018, Cobram Estate Olives commissioned FrostConsult to complete four weeks of measurements as part of a detailed frost risk assessment towards mitigating frost damage and to provide a scientific basis for frost fan placement.
Strong inversion layers were recorded indicating that frost fans would be effective in drawing warm air downwards. Frost risk maps were then used to place approximately 100 frost fans throughout the grove to protect areas of high risk.
FrostBoss has subsequently been working with Cobram Estate Olives to protect their olives since 2018. “The investment in FrostBoss frost fans was seen as excellent value compared to the estimated $24 million lost to frost in the previous year”, explains Rob McGavin, Co-founder of Cobram.
After completing the 2019 harvest season in July, they noticed the tress across the Boundary Bend and Boort groves produced 13.1 million litres, compared to the previous year’s frost-affected crop of 5.4 million litres.
Further frost risk assessments were conducted throughout the groves, and now with 137 frost fans at the Boundary Bend grove (between Mildura and Swan Hill), 13 at Boort (near Bendigo) installed in the early 2000s and 26 frost fans installed at the Wemen grove (between Mildura and Swan Hill).
“With a total of 176 frost fan machines, the orchard growers are given peace of mind knowing that frost mitigation is in place across the groves”, says Rob.
Having a longstanding relationship with Cobram Estate Olives, the team at FrostBoss are there every step of the way from sales support to installation and servicing of the machines.
When you choose FrostBoss, you choose a legacy of trust, hard work, and the assurance that, as the sun sets and the air cools, your crop is protected.
As we look forward to the future, FrostBoss stands ready to redefine the possibilities and shape a world where innovation and integrity go hand in hand.
Ian Mason:0448 111 384 or freecall 1800 797 629
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W: aussiefrostfans.com.au
See this article in Tree Fruit Sept 2023
