June 9, 2017

Vineyard Decreases Grape Loss with Laser Parrot Deterrent

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Bodega Catena Zapata Farm was founded in Cafayate in 1902. The farm is recognized for its pioneering role in reviving the Malbec grape varietal and discovering terroirs of extreme height at the foot of the Andes. The farm experienced significant crop loss and noise nuisance for multiple years due to ineffective parrots deterrents.

Location:Bodega Catena Zapata Farm, Cafayate, Argentina
Application context:Vineyard (Food production)
Problem definition:Crop losses due to parrots eating grapes and cutting clusters
Pest bird species:Burrowing parrot (Psittacidae)
Time of the year with bird problem:January – Half April
Time of the day with bird problems:All day
Number of systems:1 x Agrilaser Autonomic 500 with solar panel
Laser projection area:39 ha
In use since:January 2017
No. of birds before installation:100s
No. of birds after installation:0
Reduction in bird numbers:100%
Annual loss:
– Cabernet 3 ha
– Malbec 11 ha
– Torrontes 25 ha
Before Autonomic
USD 2,825
USD 10,325
USD 10,325
After Autonomic
USD 0
USD 0
USD 0
Total damage per year caused by the presence of birds:USD 23,475USD 0

Situation before
Bodega Catena Zapata Farm in Cafayate has been suffering crop losses for years due to flocks of parrots eating grapes and cutting grape clusters.

Situation after
Bodega Catena Zapata Farm reports complete success. Since the installation of the Agrilaser Autonomic 500 laser parrot deterrent, the parrots have been fully deterred and have caused no crop losses.

Bodega Catena Zapata Farm reports great bird repelling results

Great results with the laser parrot deterrent: “for the first time during harvest, we had silence on the farm.”

Bodega Catena Zapata Farm was founded in Cafayate in 1902. The farm is recognized for its pioneering role in reviving the Malbec grape varietal and discovering terroirs of extreme height at the foot of the Andes. The farm experienced significant crop loss and noise nuisance for multiple years due to ineffective parrot deterrents.

Severe losses
For years the parrots were an ongoing problem for Juan Prates, Agricultural Engineer, who is in charge of the farm. “We were very skeptical about it, after years of heavy losses in our grapes,” advised Mr. Prates. “Not only do they eat the grapes, they also cut whole clusters, generating large losses of up to 1000 kg per ha. Since we began to use this bird repelling technology, we were struck by the lack of damage from cuts in grape clusters by the parrots. For the first time during harvest, we had silence on the farm, unlike previous years when we could not talk or listen to each other due to the noise caused by a large number of parrots that soon produced serious damage.”

Worry-free results
The Autonomic laser parrot deterrent is an innovative solution and an environmentally friendly technology. Since the farm opted to install the optional solar energy solution, no source of electricity and no ongoing maintenance was required. Aguila Andina de Mendoza, who was in charge of the installation and service of the Agrilaser Autonomic 500, stated, “It is clear that since we have the Agrilaser Autonomic 500 installed, it has stopped the damage. The effect of the technology is impressive. We did not find any damage in the covered area. However, we saw a lot of damage in neighboring areas not covered by the bird repelling laser.”


Bird Control Group’s automated laser bird repellent provides 24/7 protection from wild birds by shining a green laser light in the area affected by the problem. Get in touch via the form below if you are interested in learning more.

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