Strawberry fields forever

UK based Linear Composites has supplied 4.5kn of Paraweb Fence – specifically designed as a windbreak – to protect Well-Pict European’s strawberry farm in Portugal from wind damage and soil erosion.

Well-Pict European is a specialist berry production and procurement company formed in 1999 to develop the established Well-Pict brand in Europe and Africa. The Portuguese farm is located north of the Algarve right on the west coast, producing strawberries on 70 hectares of land. Due to the farm’s exposed location there is the constant threat of ocean winds during the winter when the plants are being planted. The soil in the region is very sandy and the crops can easily be damaged or covered by dust.

Linear Composites’ Paraweb Fence has been installed around the boundary of the production area of the farm. Within the individual production blocks a finer dust netting divides the roads between the blocks and the production itself. It also surrounds certain areas within the farm, including internal reservoir.

Installing a windbreak interferes with the wind flow, producing an area of calm in their lee – reducing wind speeds by up to 80%. In addition to preventing soil erosion and wind damage Paraweb Fence can also be used to provide shade from the sun, prevent drifting snow and can protect glass-houses and polypropylene tunnels from wind damage (which can lead to reductions in insurance premiums), and cladding for farm buildings.

Although the Portuguese fence was installed ahead of the 2004 / 05 growing season the amount of dust and sand that enters the site has already been significantly reduced. With Well-Pict European extending the outdoor production areas for the 2004 / 05 season Paraweb fence is set to make a major impact on the productivity of the farm.

Linear Composites manufacture and distribute Paraweb Fence worldwide directly from their factory in West Yorkshire. Visit www.linearcomposites.com or call +44 1535 643 363 for more information.

Sales of Paraweb Fence within the UK and Ireland are handled by Derby-based Growing technologies LTD. Growing Technologies portfolio includes leading products for use in protecting plants, crops, trees, greenhouses, farm buildings and livestock. In addition they carry ranges of growing media and associated products, ground stabilisation products and even a range of easy to use pavers for use in field located car parks. For more information on Growing Technologies Ltd products call 01332 793 111 or visit www.growingtechnologies.co.uk

Paraweb Fence is a tensionable, high performance shade and windbreak for use in shade halls to protect ornamentals, as a high strength windbreak and to form animal enclosures. It is made from high tenacity polyester filaments encased in a durable polythene sheath.
Properties:
Shade Factor: 54%
Strength Range: 16kN/m to 167kN/m
Aperture Sizes: 450mm x 50mm or 950mm x 50m
Available Heights: 1000m, 1500mm, or 2000mm
Colours: Black, Green or Orange.

Winter 2004