Consultancy

We invite you to see the different aspects about frost Consultancy in which FPC is involved. For that please visit Frost Risk Studies and Regional Studies sections.

FROST RISK STUDIES

What is a Frost Risk Study?

A Frost Risk Study conducted in a given property provides extremely valuable information for the grower, including site selection assessment, inputs for a new planting design schemes, feasibility of replanting in frost prone areas, design of specific passive frost protection measures suited to the case, frost risk assessment of a property to be purchased/recently acquired.

How is it done?

A set of temperature dataloggers are located in strategic spots within the orchard-vineyard, in order to capture microclimatic temperature differences within the vineyard. Typical projects require from 10 to 25 dataloggers, depending on property size and micro-topography.

Under stratification conditions (nights without breeze and clouds, which are the conditions that leads to frost episodes), the natural temperature differences between the different spots selected within the vineyard-orchard are calculated. By this means, the characteristics of the cold air dynamics of the site are assessed.

Picture of a temperature datalogger installed at a vineyard during the temperature measurement campaign

Typical temperature evolution of an analyzed stratification night

For further detailed analysis the orchard-vineyard is divided in distinctive sectors according to their microclimatic characteristic as indicated by the temperature measurements. Frost risk for each of the identified sectors is determined through a correlation of the measured temperatures with those of a nearby weather station which indicates the climatic history of the region. In order to contemplate the phenology evolution of the crop, the frost risk is assessed for each fortnight comprised within the frost risk season.

How are the results presented?

The results of the Frost Risk Study are presented in a technical report containing the following chapters:

1) 1) General description of the orchard, local and regional topographical features and description of the temperature measurement scheme implemented at the orchard – vineyard.

2) 2) Presentation of the dataset used for evaluating the cold air dynamics of the site. Determination of distinctive microclimatic sub zones at the orchard – vineyard.

3) Analysis of the existing frost risk at each of the identified sub zones.

) 4) Specific design of a set of frost protection passive measures to be applied at the orchard – vineyard (natural shelterbelt management, planting schemes, management of crop foliage, soil management, etc.)

5) 5) Evaluation of active frost protection measures to be applied in case it is necessary.

Microclimatic map of the studied vineyard–orchard. Each microclimatic sub zone is identified by a different color. The temperature difference between two adjacent sub zones is 0,5ºC.

Return period of minimum temperatures chart: indicates for each microclimatic sub zone (Area A, B, etc.) the frequency of the minimum temperatures during each of the fortnights of the studied month. For example: the frequency of a temperature of -2,1 ºC at area A during March 1st fortnight is every 1,4 years in average.

FROST CONTROL STUDY (FCS)

SIS Technology (TSIS) is able to innovatively address a classic problem of frost control in a property exposed to frost as a result of topography in which it is located.

The solution to this problem requires a study of the particular case of the orchard. This study is called Frost Control Study (FCS)

This study (FCS) is conducted by our company from the information previously requested to the owner and it takes less than 15 days to complete.

The (FCS) includes:

1 - General information about radiation frost.
2 - Relationship between the topography of the orchard and the location of the frost damage.
3 - Control of frost damage observed by passive measures (detailed in the report) and active measures (application of the SIS technology).
4 - Implementation of SIS technology to the farm.
5 - Recommendations regarding the operation of the system.
6 - Conclusions.

The FCS is the document of the analysis performed by FPC in each installation of the SIS System. In this way, the producer learns in detail about the characteristics of radiation frost on his orchard for one or more specific crops. Passive frost control to be applied for each particular case is inferred from the knowledge of the above mentioned general aspects applied to the orchard under consideration. Then the number of SIS devices is determined, the most convenient powering is defined (electrical motors, internal combustion engine or the use of tractors of the farm), the curtains (natural and/or artificial) to be installed are defined and located, as well as the material and structure in case of artificial curtains.

Another important chapter of the FCS is that referring to the operation of the SIS System that is being installed. This includes devices turn on and off, night supervision to be made (this varies according to the degree of automation incorporated in the installed SIS System) and the required maintenance of the SIS device and the curtains.

Finally, the FCS includes suggestions to the grower for the installation of a minimum set of instruments to measure temperature and eventually relative moisture, to monitor these variables in sensitive points of the orchard and supervise SIS operation.

Concluding, the FCS is of utmost interest for the grower due to the included information regarding radiation frost in his orchard and the action expected from the SIS System as well as its operation, supervision and maintenance.

COST OF IMPLEMENTING THE FCS

The cost of FCS is directly related to the surface area of the orchard and will be communicated to the client once FPC has the necessary information of the orchard.

If the client after the FCS wants to purchase the number of SIS recommended for the orchard, the price of the FCS will be deducted from the cost of the SIS.

REGIONAL STUDIES

Frost Protection Corporation performs regional studies of frost control, when there is a regional interest in solving, in an integral and joint way, an endemic problem in a given zone or region. In several situations, the peculiar characteristics of cold air flow in the zone makes frost occurrence a concern to the corresponding regional organizations (municipalities, regional governments, counties and/or groups of agricultural growers). A typical example is the generation of a cold air flood in the lower part of a regional valley. Cold air flows downhill from adjacent hillsides accumulating in the referred low area.In such a scenario, the cheapest frost control is to protect the whole valley instead of proceeding to protect farm by farm.

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