Birdhurst, Davey Road – Tasman
Precision-Engineered Steel Retrofit Hail Protection
At a Glance
Location:
Motueka, Tasman
Crop:
Apples
Challenge:
Protect high-value apple varieties in a hail-prone region while working around existing trellis, high voltage power lines, and maintaining three-row sprayer access.
Solution:
A full steel retrofit protection solution based on GPS and CAD design, offering long term durability and peace of mind protection.
Key components:
Full steel retrofit hail protection system
The challenge
Davey Road is the second protected orchard project Hortivate has delivered for Birdhurst, reinforcing a strong ongoing partnership. The orchard sits in a region that experiences hail annually, placing premium varieties — including Envy and Birdhurst’s own selections — at significant risk.
However, the block was originally planted as a trellis-only system, meaning it wasn’t designed with hail protection in mind. The layout included high-voltage power lines, irregular block geometry, and narrow internal tracks and headlands. Birdhurst needed to retain the efficiency of their three-row sprayer, making accurate planning from the get-go essential.
The solution
With Hortivates “get it right at the start” design process the project began with a full GPS drone survey to capture real-world block geometry. This fed into a highly detailed CAD layout, ensuring the retrofit system aligned perfectly with existing trellis, power lines, orcahrd access and and machinery movements.
To streamline installation, Hortivate then provided GPS post plotting, placing every post location on the ground with accuracy. This removed guesswork, created a precise grid, and allowed Birdhurst’s team to move confidently through the build. The result has been a clean, efficient installation phase with minimal adjustments required.
Netting Selection:
At Davy Road, white netting was installed over the Envy™ blocks — a late-season variety that relies on strong red colour development. White netting provides high levels of diffused light with moderate shading (~12%), helping Envy™ achieve premium colour late in the season.
Grey netting was used over the other varieties requiring high colour but being more susceptible to sunburn. With slightly higher shading (~12–14%), grey netting reduces fruit surface temperature while still supporting colour development, delivering the right balance for heat-sensitive varieties.
The results
The Davy Road project is progressing very smoothly, with the early in-depth planning setting the foundation for an organised and efficient build. Installation has been straightforward, with consistent alignment and steady progress from day one. Once complete, the orchard will have a robust, long-term hail protection system tailored to the block’s layout, conditions, and operational requirements.
