Unexpected snow in a localised area near Harrismith in the Free State has damaged nets and poles, even flattening orchards under the weight of the snow, with trees snapping at the ground in some blocks.

Ironically, this time of the year apple growers are expecting hail, not snow. Maximum 3°C and rainy, tomorrow it's still raining but slightly warmer going forward.

"It started snowing around six this morning," recounts Kerryn Fyvie from Fyvie farming. "It's not normal for us to get snow this late into October, so the nets were already closed in the middle for frost and hail. The snow became very heavy and sticks to the net, it doesn't roll down like hail, putting a lot of weight to the structure."

Snow - during winter - is not unusual over this high-altitude part of South Africa.

"I can't even remember the last time we got snow. We usually get it around every fourth winter. We were probably due for snow - we just didn't expect it at the end of October!"

Growers are assessing the impact at this stage, waiting for the snow to melt. She notes that wires are under so much tension under the weight of the snow that it can be very dangerous to cut anything at this point.

Some nets are split in half, which is not so difficult to fix she says, but the more pressing issue is the two hectare block of Royal Beaut that was flattened.

"And it was a very good young block coming into very good production," she remarks. "We're not sure yet how many of the other blocks are damaged underneath the nets."

Fyvie Farming, which grows 92 hectares of apples in Harrismith, would have hosted a field day next week, but that will have to make way for orchard repairs.

The Free State apple harvest usually starts around in the middle of January; domestic apple price levels have been exceptionally good and good export opportunities are expected.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com