Showcasing retractable rain covers

Tatura SmartFarm recently hosted a field walk demonstrating the Cravo Auto-Dry system, showcasing retractable rain covers installed over cherry trees as part of the Hort Innovation Frontiers-funded project Growing Horticulture through Protected Cropping Innovation.

The installation is the first of its kind in the world, with Richard Vollebregt and Bede Miller from Canadian-based company Cravo leading the session and giving growers and industry participants a closer look at how automated retractable rain covers can support crop protection, climate management, and improved orchard resilience.

Dr Ian Goodwin outlined Agriculture Victoria's role in the project, and provided a live demonstration of the technology to more than 30 attendees, including growers and industry representatives from across Australia, with participants travelling from Tasmania and even Chile.

Field walks like this provide a valuable opportunity to explore practical applications, share learnings and connect research outcomes with on-farm adoption.