The fur virus, the time of year and the contamination.
Now that the “Ron Peters Protocol” has been on the market for a number of years, a trend is emerging that was previously unforeseen.
At many cucumber companies, the situation is under control to such an extent that you can say that there is no longer a virus in the first crop. However, in the second crop, 10-12 days after the first harvest, the virus reappears. Or this happens in the third crop, again in the order 10-14 days after the first harvest. This depends a bit on the weather conditions.
And not with one plant or a few, but with violence and en masse. The disinfectants, both UV and gas, work fine, and yet a run through the entire greenhouse in no time. So if the disinfectants work properly and hygiene agreements are observed, what is going on?
When asked, it is almost always said that sparrows have flown into the crop. Sparrows have the habit that if they have found a young crop with a fat bloom, they will not leave this farm until another younger crop with a new fat bloom is available.
At our testing ground, in June 2020, from zero contamination to 100% contamination in 14 days in a young greenhouse of cucumbers on a new mat in a disinfected department. The crop cleared after 6 weeks. Total up. To the buttons.
So what to do, what does it cost and what are the consequences?
All you can do is screen the windows. And then in a way that it is affordable, and does not completely kill the climate. And you can. Wire mesh has a huge influence on the climate and the temperature increase in the greenhouse. However, if you were to make the coarsest gauze in the ventilation windows, the influence of this would be extremely small and the effect huge.
There are two systems for sale:
- It harmonica system : expensive, effective, you have to have it done,
- Self-installation system : cheap, effective.
I would always opt for the self-build system myself.
And think about this:
– The shed/entrance is locked,
– When you come in, the foot and hand machine,
– Into the greenhouse : overshoe, overall, glove,
– do not touch anything,
– And look up: the sparrows fly in and out as they are hungry. Isn't it at least special???
So should you consider looking into this as a serious option?
Costs: should you choose the system that you can make in it yourself ?
Take the coarse mesh, which has little or no effect on the climate.
You or an employee can screen 3-5 windows per hour.
Take the number of windows and you know what you have lost in labor costs.
Mesh cost, chart yourself.
Cost of virus: calculate your lost cucumbers, and calculate what the total picture will be.
How does it work, what is the sequence of steps when applying the mesh :
Measure or have it measured how much mesh you need for a window, and order mesh: Bucket technique (0653360716).
For measuring the mesh as an example and for fitting the first few windows as an example for you or your employees and for delivering the mesh. Not to do the whole job.
1- You have your mesh ready with the burn holes for the push-up bars in it.
2- Windows closed and switch off.
3- Loose push-up bars.
4- push-up bar through mesh.
5- Loosen the calf.
6- Assemble mesh.
7- Secure the calf.
8- Rebate the mesh with cord.
9- Put the mesh in the ridge with cord, remove and place clamps if necessary.
10- Tyrip around push-up bar.
11- Check everything.
12- Switch to automatic.
Your skylight is closed.