Light Reflecting Materials Program

Watch our informative video on Light reflective material by Steve Brown.

Overview of topics covered:

- The purpose of white reflective fabric

- What to look for when buying fabric

- Discussion: are tarps a substitute for summer pruning?

- Different ways to roll out and roll up the tarps

- Proper tying and securing of the tarp

- Discussion: when should tarps be used in relation to harvest time

- Rolling up the tarp and long term storage

The NTFVDC recently engaged Charlotte Leaming and Lindsay Hainstock, BCMAFF, to collect information on the effectiveness of Light Reflecting Materials. The use of light reflecting materials showed increases in premium grades of apples and decreases in lower grades of apples.

The NTFVDC is offering a partial grant towards the purchase of light reflecting fabrics by apple producers. Research and practical demonstrations show that light reflecting materials improve colouring and enhance product quality when apples are harvested at the proper ripeness (e.g. not overripe due to delays in harvest to attain higher colour saturation). 

• For the 2022 program, the deadline for submitting project applications for 2022 purchases is July 31, 2022. 
• The program will be available from 2019 to 2022 to encourage early adoption of light reflecting materials.   Applications will be received each year of the program - watch for industry newsletters (NTFVDC, BCFGA) to get program updates, as well as program information in advertisements placed in industry publications such as Orchard and Vine, or Country Life in B.C.

Here is the 2022 Application Form - the deadline to receive applications is July 31, 2022.

 “Funding support provided, in part, by the BC Government’s Tree Fruit Competitiveness Program; delivered by the BC Fruit Growers Association and the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.”