Eden Valley Vineyard Eliminates Bird Damage and Reduces Costs with Bird Control Group’s Laser Technology

Location	Eden Valley, South Australia
Application context	40 acre vineyard
Problem definition	Yield losses due to bird damage
Bird species	Rosellas, Crows, Galahs
Bird behavior	Foraging and nesting
Time of the year with bird problems	January – May
Laser projection area	40 acres
Number of systems	2 x AVIX Autonomic Mark II
Birds reduction after the system has been installed	85%
Time of year with bird presence	January – May
Time of day with bird presence	Sunset – Sunrise

The solution proves to be a valuable investment for protecting yields and ensuring economic viability of the vineyard

In the picturesque region of Eden Valley, South Australia, a 40-acre vineyard faced a growing challenge: bird infestations. Species like rosellas, crows, and galahs were a persistent threat during the harvest season from January to May. Due to their attraction to the ripe grapes, these birds would flock down at sunrise and dusk, seriously damaging the crops. The situation was dire, with losses reaching up to 25% of the vineyard’s annual yield, severely impacting revenue.

Previously, the vineyard owners relied on bird netting as a solution. However, this method proved both ineffective and costly, exceeding $20,000 annually without fully addressing the problem. Despite the use of nets, substantial crop losses continued, prompting the search for a more efficient and cost-effective bird control solution.

Two years ago, the vineyard implemented Bird Control Group’s advanced automated laser technology, installing two laser systems to cover the entire 40-acre property. The impact was immediate and impressive: bird presence was reduced by 85%. The number of birds present involved has decreased significantly from thousands to roughly 300, resulting in significantly less damage to the wine grapes.

With the implementation of Bird Control Group’s laser systems, the vineyard saw a dramatic drop in crop loss due to birds—from 25% to just 2-5%. As a result of this decrease, the vineyard was able to  continue producing 150 tonnes each year steadily and profitably. Additionally, the need for costly bird netting was completely eliminated, resulting in an annual savings of over $20,000 and maximizing the vineyard’s profitability.

The experience of the Eden Valley vineyard is a prime example of how Bird Control Group’s laser technology can revolutionize bird management in agriculture. By reducing crop losses and eliminating unnecessary costs, this solution has proven to be a valuable investment for protecting yields and ensuring the economic viability of the vineyard.