Protecting Crops

During the last few months, farmers have been using water to freeze their crops in order to prevent radiant heat loss. You can see the water spray over the tops of these trees.

There are different methods used to prevent radiant heat loss in crops. Farmers utilize heaters, irrigation, wind machines and fog. Each method has advantages and disadvantages.

Irrigation costs are high and there is a risk of crop damage if the rate is incorrect; if there is too much ice buildup on the limbs resulting in breakage; if the soil is too saturated and if the wind is too strong. This process works because heat lost from the crop to the environment is replaced by heat release as the applied water changes to ice. When 1 gram of water freezes, 80 calories of heat energy are released.

Picture acres and acres of frozen trees and imagine how beautiful it looks, especially on a bright summer morning.