40 Lakeshore Road, R.R. #5, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Phone: (905) 646-8085 or Toll Free: 1-866-677-4717
www.lakeviewvineyardequipment.com
Payback for Wind Machines – A Case Study
A presentation by Hugh Fraser, Agricultural Engineer, OMAFRA, at the Apple Academy in
February, 2011 highlighted “Protection Technology” and the use of wind machines to protect
apple crops from extreme cold temperatures in the spring. Of course, this technology has
already been in use for several years in grapes and now more recently tender fruits. The
information below illustrates the benefits and paybacks of wind machines in vineyards.
Capital Cost of Orchard-Rite® Model 2600 = $34,000
Machine, Pad, Install – no HST
Fuel = estimate $35/hour x 4 nights x 6 hours per night average = $840 per year
Service Life = 35 years
# of acres covered = 15 acres
Crop protected
tonnes per acre (1)
Price per tonnes (2)
Value of crop per acre
Value of 15 acres (protected by one
Wind Machine)
Revenue generated over 20 years
Less Crop Loss from 6 frost events (4)
= Revenue after 6 frost events
Chardonnay
4.5
$
1,410
$
6,345
$ 95,175
Cab. Sauvignon
4.0
$ 1,875
$ 7,500
$ 112,500
$1,903,500
$ 504,428
$1,399, 072
$2,250,000
$ 596,250
$1,653,750
1 = Establishment and Production Costs for Grapes in Ontario, 2009 Economic Report, Ontario
2 = GGO 2010 VQA pricing
3 = 6 frost events over 20 years with an estimated crop losses of 10%, 25%, 40%, 60, 75 and
90%
For an Investment of $34,000 for one Orchard-Rite® 2600 wind machine, you can
save $504K (Chardonnay) to $596K (Cabernet Sauvignon) over 20 years if you
had 6 typical frost events!









Vineyards Hit by Winter Freeze and Spring Frost Create Other Issues
Reduced Yield
Replacement vine costs for 2-3 years
Additional vine training costs for two years
Additional costs for weed control for green shoot re-growth
Additional Benefits with Wind Machines
Investment for one machine is only 36% of your gross revenues for ONE YEAR for
Chardonnay and only 30% of your gross revenue for ONE YEAR for Cabernet Sauvignon
Gives you a piece of mind
Protection spring, summer and fall at pre-harvest
10 year financing available to ease investment burden on cash flow
Leasing available to assist with cash flow and, in some cases, tax ramifications
The Best Investment You Can Make to Protect Your
Farm From Extreme Cold Weather & Frost Events!
For site visits and surveys or if you have any questions regarding how Orchard
Rite® wind machines could be used in your operation, please contact:
Ken Slingerland – Wind Machine Specialist
Lakeview Vineyard Equipment Inc.,
40 Lakeshore Road, RR5,
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S IJ0
Shop: 905-646-8085
Toll Free: 1-866-677-4717
Cell: 905-651-0057
windmachinesales@lvequipment.ca