Quebec apple grower using anti-hail cannon to protect crops from icy weather
Anti-hail cannons aren't a new invention for farming, having originated in Europe but are now manufactured in various countries such as New Zealand and Germany.
A Quebec apple orchard, Verger des Bois-Francs, is employing an anti-hail cannon to safeguard its crops from icy weather, potentially marking a pioneering use in Canada. Maxime Brie, a fourth-generation grower, states that hail can inflict millions of dollars in damage to crops, forcing ruined fruits to be turned into juice or sauce, which can severely impact profits.
The cannon, costing $160,000 and originating from Spain, blasts shockwaves into the atmosphere, transforming hail into harmless water. Brie utilizes a weather monitoring system connected to SPAG, with meteorologists overseeing the situation from a facility in Brazil. The device is activated via a controlled explosion near the ground, emitting shockwaves every seven seconds.
While the cannon can be sensitive to noise and may miss certain storms, Brie can manually activate it by sending a text message if required. The anti-hail cannon, though not without its drawbacks, is deemed crucial for Quebec apple growers as climate change continues to alter weather patterns, potentially leading to a bountiful harvest, but also posing a risk from hail.
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