Mr. Espinosa informs us that the total surface area planted with the “Solo Sunrise” variety of the papaya fruit amounts to 260 hectares.

Initially, two Martignani Whirlwind B612 600 l Turbo 2, trailer-mounted, electrostatic sprayers were used. These were purchased between 2002 and 2004 (the second one) following the advice of the “Martignani”  representative (UNIDECO SA – www.unideco.com). A further two sprayers were purchased in December of 2010, making a total of 4 units today.

Figures to hand, Mr. Espinosa explains the main advantages obtained since using the machines fitted with the “Martignani KWH” system, pointing out the considerable savings in operating times, labour, water consumption (low volume)  and chemicals.

To give an example of such savings, each machine is capable, on average, of covering 7 hectares of cultivation per day using 6 fewer workers than it was before.

Mr. Espinosa finds it interesting to reflect on that which he considers to be the most important benefit of using Martignani sprayers in the company. He tells us that over the last 5 years the machines have been used every day of the week, and thanks to minimal, yet accurate and well-timed maintenance, they have managed to operate them for a good 8000 hours.

Since the cultivation of the Papaya fruit is affected by changes in its size  (height) over a short period of time, the versatility of the “Martignani” machines has allowed the company to intervene during the growth of the plant itself by using simple and reliable adjustments. This has allowed a more uniform coverage of the product to be obtained as the rows of fruit are sprayed in a linear fashion without dripping onto the ground and with reduced air drift, resulting in a more  presentable and healthier fruit.

Both satisfied with the Martignani electrostatic sprayers, ourselves as the manufacturer and Terrasol as the user, we end our enjoyable conversation without ceremony but with the desire to do more to improve production while eliminating waste where possible, and at the same time, safeguarding the health of those engaged in the production and the consumption of the product once released onto the market.

…Back to today – a summary of the information on Wikipedia tells us:
“Cider is an alcoholic beverage obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of the fruits of any of the plants in the Rosaceae family, and the Pomoideae subfamily in particular, which includes apples, pears and quinces; its manufacture originates in the Middle Ages. More than 95% of global cider production is made with apples, but for connoisseurs, the cider with the best bouquet seems to be made from quinces, and is very rare. In France, the fermentation of pears produces a cider-like beverage called perry.

This drink is very popular in France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland and Switzerland and production is particularly concentrated in Normandy and in Asturias. In contrast, its origins in Italy are difficult to determine …”
This is a useful means to introduce the pleasant conversation which we had with Mr Jean-Pierre Lebreton, the owner of a farmstead which covers a total area of 126 hectares, including almost 9 hectares of apple trees dedicated to cider production, which are the focus of our article below.

We are in the town of Rene, north of Mans, in north-central France. We are in a region called the “Pays de La Loire” in the department of “Sarthe” (NR 72).

Mr Lebreton owns a 1500-liter-capacity Whirlwind B612 Turbo 2 mist sprayer, to which he was first introduced and explained the benefits by the company CHABAS SA (appointed “Martignani-KWH System” distributor for France) during a demonstration event called the “Sées 61 Technical Day,” as the result of which, he bought a unit at the end of 2009.

The Whirlwind B612 Turbo 2 mist sprayer has since demonstrated its quality is on site and, according to Mr Lebreton, has enabled him to save 30 minutes in the treatment of 5.5 hectares of apple trees in comparison to the machine that he used previously.

He has also saved almost 780 liters of water per hectare and, with these results in mind, Mr Lebreton has decided to set himself a goal of achieving a mixture volume per hectare (mixture = water + chemical) of more or less 180 liters per hectare.

He has achieved a saving of 10% per hectare in chemicals during this first season (2010), and he has set himself another goal – specifically, he wants to progressively reduce the quantity per hectare, and thus achieve a 15% saving during his second season (2011), and a 20% saving in his third season (2012).

Mr Lebreton has also been impressed by the extreme ease of use, as well as the long-term precision and reliability of the calibration/volume per hectare adjustment and thus the general usage of the machine – facts that he has noticed for himself.

Finally, he praised the thoroughness of the local CHABAS technical sales team, who supplied the machine as well as professional assistance.

Not bad at all!

These are ambitious goals, but, knowing the Whirlwind B612 Turbo 2 mist sprayer, we have no doubts whatsoever that Mr Lebreton and his workers will successfully achieve these aims.

We have come to meet Mr Philippe Cimetiere, the owner of a farmstead which extends over a total area of 17.5 hectares, including 6 hectares for apple trees, 5 hectares for pear trees, and 0.65 hectares for cherry trees.

He tells us that he is the satisfied owner of a “KWH” Whirlwind B612 TURBO 2 mist blower with a 1,500 L capacity, which he decided to buy it in March 2009, after having first had the opportunity to find out about it and to understand its benefits thanks to the company CHABAS SA (appointed “Martignani-KWH System” distributor for France) during the well-known SIVAL trade fair, which takes place annually in the town of Angers (also in the Loire Valley).

Mr Cimetiere briefly lists the main advantages of using the machine during this first year:

• the volume applied per hectare was approximately 300/500 liters per hectare lower when compared to the traditional machines that he used previously, providing an overall saving of approximately 60,000 litres of water, as well as time savings due to the lower number of refills required.
• chemical product savings of 30% per hectare, especially fungicides.

In terms of the “KWH” Whirlwind B612 TURBO 2 mist blower, Mr Cimetiere tells us simply and kindly that he also appreciates:
- its extreme ease of use
- the long-term precision and reliability of its calibration/adjustments to the application volume per hectare, and thus the general use of the machine.

He expressed a few “constructive” criticisms about the intake filter, which he found difficult to unscrew, and the tank level indicator, in which there is no graduation for the first 300 litres.

We politely pointed out to him that the tank is large because it has a capacity of 1,500 litres, and it would therefore be difficult to have an extremely detailed, precise graduation for the first 300 litres; however, the problem was solved thanks to the addition – UPON REQUEST by the customer – of the optional “graduated level separator kit”, which is mounted on the front of the machine and thus provides excellent visibility from the operating position.

To know more:

EARL LA JONCHERE
138 Route D’Ouvrouer
45110 Sigloy (Orléans) – FRANCE
Tel. +3302.38.58.45.45
E-mail: philippe.cimetiere@wanadoo.fr

Wikipedia’s reference to the history of the town of Zichron Ya’akov, with regard to the role of the “Martignani” Electrostatic Mist Blowers, is of particular importance:
“…Following a number of economic failures, in 1885 Baron Rothschild helped to establish the first winery in Israel, Carmel Winery, together with a bottling factory, in Zikhron Ya’akov. This was more successful economically although it was initially short-lived as in 1892 the grapevines succumbed to phylloxera, a type of parasite. After a brief set-back, American seedlings which were resistant to phylloxera were grown and the winery began to flourish. Today, the winery remains in action, as do the huge wine cellars that were carved into the mountain over a century ago…” (from wikipedia).

Between both the family business (belonging to them) and the one to which he is a partner in Egypt, Shachar and Adi Karniel currently manage a total of over 300 hectares of land cultivated with grapes (primarily table grapes for export), 150 hectares cultivated with mangos and 120 hectares cultivated with Paolonia trees.
Our first business relations with Mr Karniel date back to 1986 when he followed advice to purchase one of our machines. Since then he has, directly or indirectly, begun to use a further fourteen “Martignani” Electrostatic Mist Blowers, bought in Israel and Egypt respectively in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2010. Five of these machines are used in Israel and the remaining nine at Dofad Farm in Egypt.

We can therefore say without any doubt that, over the years, Mr Karniel has had the opportunity to field test and verify the functionality of the “Martignani” Electrostatic Mist Blowers, obtaining from them the best possible balance between performance and economy.
In fact, the benefits achieved over the years have been as follows:

• Chemicals saving (%)…30 %
• Time saving (%) …65 %
• Labour saving (%)…45 %
• Water saving (l/ha applied with the Martignani)…70 %

We end our discussion on this expert and tenacious farmer with some of his final remarks, which we quote in full. We do not wish to resort to the usual clichés, but note what he chooses to mention first in his observations:
“This amazing Machine is a money saver! Not only chemicals and time…
Also the maintenance is very cheap
Calibration in two minutes and super accurate!”
You can believe him…

We are in South Africa in the Eastern Cape region, and precisely in the area known as Langkloof, a valley between the Kamanasie and Kouga mountains in the north, and the Outeniqua- Langkloof and Tsitsikamma mountains in the south. It is the second largest fruit production area in South Africa and apples and pears are the main agricultural products.

Mr. Rademeyer tells us that his farm is 140 ha in extent, of which 80 ha  are planted with apples and the remaining with pears.

He was introduced to Martignani electrostatic machines by their spray technical adviser of 30 years, Mr. Billy Swiegelaar.

After careful analysis of their requirements and of the possible choice of machines, they decided to purchase, within 6 months, 3 x 1500 litre “Martignani” Electrostatic Sprayer B612 Turbo 2, one in December 2009, and one each in February and May 2010, which are now working full time.

Mr. Rademeyer has supplied us with the results of his careful reports on the efficiency of the machines and on the advantages achieved by using the “Martignani” Electrostatic mist blowing system in his farm vs. the conventional air blast sprayers, and the numbers speak for themselves:

Time/Labour saving: 15%

Water Saving (l/ha applied with the Martignani): 40% (Important remark: Vast areas of Langkloof  valley are currently heavily affected by drought)

Chemicals saving: 15% (aiming to 35%)

Furthermore he kindly showed us the modification he had made to the spray heads lay-out and protection plates added to the machine for their orchards to avoid damages
to the heads (see pictures).

We thanked Mr. Rademeyer for his kindness and cooperation and for having shared with us the modification made to the machines, as we, at Martignani, appreciate very much the input
we receive from our clients concerning possible improvements.

For us it is of fundamental importance to constantly develop and improve our machines.

It is our mission to supply products that can help the farmer to achieve the best possible results according to the requirements of the person who has put his trust in Martignani
and our machines.

A few images of one of  Rademeyer’s farm Electrostatic mist blower

Up stream , the woods extend up to 900m above sea level on the Pizzorne sandstone rock. Upstream is the vast plain of Capannori.

We tread the Tuscan land and find ourselves at number 7 di Valgiano street in Valgiano, in the district of Lucca.

Dr. Petrilli tells us that the first meeting with Martignani company was favoured in 1997 from the purchase of a used Martignani-KWH Mist Blower of the Whirlwind B612 600 l trailer version.

Since then, other meetings have taken place leading the Valgiano estate to equip itself, in the following years, with both a trailer and 3P Mounted model .

The Valgiano estate is an organic farm which adopts biodynamic agricultural systems.

Its vineyards lie on a terrace of pebbles and clay in Alberese. The Sangiovese is preferably cultivated along the crest of Alberese due to the soil which allows it to maintain aromaticity as well as a good structure.On the clayey surface Merlot is cultivated due to its ability to maintain delicacy and elegance even on clay; and, on the sandy pebbles of sandstone, only Syrah can give structure as well as fragrance.

All the treatments are carried out on alternate rows (every two rows) and state volumes/ha, during the season, from 100 to 200 l/ha for both fungicide and insecticide treatments.

The entire vineyard surface is covered in about 2 days utilizing both the Mist Blowers, considering that the vineyards are divided into several distant plots and in some cases with considerable slopes.

The Martignani Mist Blowers lend themselves very well to the treatments of the plant as it is indispensable to offer an excellent coverage of the vegetation even in the periods of highest growth in order to guarantee the maximum efficiency of the operation.

Dr. Petrilli tells us lastly that amongst the numerous advantages noted in the last 10 years of use, besides minimal maintenance and assistance, it was possible to ascertain great affordability even during years of adverse weather conditions, thus arriving at harvest with a healthy product, without disease and residual chemicals.

We, ourselves add the fact that we have found traces of the Valgiano Estate in several virtual places, and not only on paper.

• This Book Will Change Your Life by Benrik (Paperback – Oct 28, 2003)
• The Global Encyclopedia of Wine, Updated Edition (includes CD-ROM) by Peter Forrestal (Hardcover – Oct 15, 2001)
• Anthony Dias Blue’s Pocket Guide to Wine 2006 (Anthony Dias Blue’s Guides) by Anthony Dias Blue (Paperback – Sep 20, 2005)
• Central Italy: The Collected Traveler: Tuscany and Umbria by Barrie Kerper (Paperback – Sep 26, 2000)
• Zingerman’s Guide to Good Eating: How to Choose the Best Bread, Cheeses, Olive Oil, Pasta, Chocolate, and Much More by Ari Weinzweig (Hardcover – Nov 14, 2003)
• Wine Encyclopedia by Catherine Fallis, James Lawther, Maureen Ashley, and Patrick Farrell (Paperback – Oct 2002)

As for the Internet, only the search engine Googlecertifies and lists the presence of 10,400 pages of its index which deal with the Valgiano estate.

It gives us pleasure to end this brief article with the Valgiano estate’s 2003 chart, taken from an online site ,which is a final explanatory summary.

Vine: Sangiovese 60%, Syrah 20%, Merlot 20%
Denomination: Tenuta di Valgiano
Colour: red
Fragrance: gives an elegant and fine aroma to the nose. Fragrant aromas of mature fruit, hints of spice and minerals and an Intense and persistent bouquet.

Taste: a catchy taste on the palatecombined with a pleasant fruity sweetness. The structure develops with a deep texture of soft, mature tannins which ensure the duration of a delicious and pleasurable after taste.

The facts:
As is customary before expressing opinions and/or views, we wanted to gather some information first. We therefore visited the web site of the Fattoria di Piazzano – Empoli (Province of Florence) Tuscany – Italy (http://www.fattoriadipiazzano.it/?Lingua=EN ) to get some ideas.

What we were struck, and pleasurably unnerved by, the most were several individual passages in the reading of the text which we found on the site.

The sensation that we felt can be summarized in saying that the Bettarini’s seem to be stating the land and the vineyards have taken on a certain form of animal life and are therefore not to be considered as simple “objects” incapable of communicating, but as living creatures with which to engage in pleasurable dialogues, telling stories and exchanging feelings and memories, possibly of the decision to permanently settle in that place when the hunt or belligerence came to an end.

It tells of skeletons and of farms, of paleolithics and of centuriation but also of respect with all that surrounds us making us appreciate the beautiful things in life. Fantastic!

And how can the philosophy go unnoticed ?  Oh such Epicurus, despite the memory having liberated space to hold other information, it brings many “voluptuous” considerations and perceptions to our senses. Well we are in Tuscany Chianti area and so we feel it unwittingly. Re-opening our eyes….

….The Fattoria di Piazzano is a wine farm owned by Mr. Rolando Bettarini and Ilaria & C.

Situated in the hills overlooking the town of Empoli, it is composed of about 64 hectares, 33 of which is invested in vineyards, 6 of these being olive tree groves and the rest occupied by woodland and rural and civil buildings.

Mr. Bettarini looks after both the technical management of the vineyards and that of the wine in the cellars. He was introduced to the technology of the Martignani company during the EIMA Ag Show (www.eima.it ) in Bologna in the year 2000 and in the following season purchased the first 2/two  “Martignani-KWH” Whirlwind B612 (1000 l capacity each) Low Volume Mist Blowers currently used in the farm.

For phytopathologic protection Mr. Bettarini has always instructed his collaborators to treat in “alternate rows”, that is to pass along a row with the tractor pull Mist Blower, skip the following row, and re-enter into the next.

The volumes applied during the treatments are of about 90 l/ha (regardless of the type of treatment: (anti mildew, anti-oidium , etc..) due to the fact that, with a single refill, that is 1000 liter, the operator covered about 10,5 ha at a speed of 5.5 km/h and managed to complete the treatment in 2.5/3 days. This is thought to be an excellent productive result considering the particular situation of the majority of  Tuscan companies divided in to several distant plots of land with various difficulties in manoeuvring at the ends of the rows caused by considerable slopes.

While using the two Martignani Mist Blowers simultaneously, the times reduced dramatically by almost half (one and a half days).

Mr. Bettarini was therefore able to notice that, thanks to the use of the Martignani-KWH pneumatic Mist Blowers, the time lost in the refills and in transfers was visibly reduced, but the greatest advantage was that of obtaining a greater efficiency and timing of the phytopathologic treatments, which is a very important characteristic nowadays considering the increase in today’s meteorologically unpredictable and adverse seasons.

It is important to note that in the phytoiatric management of the vineyard, Mr. Bettarini preserves the same anti-parasitical mixture volumes (90 l/ha) for both fungicide and insecticide treatments.
Once again Tuscany, once again a centre!

The Randi Farms is situated in the municipality of Fusignano (Ravenna) and is managed by Dr. Massimo Randi with the collaboration of his brother Denis and father Luigi.

The vocation of the farm is decidedly viticultural, being about 25 hectares of vineyards, although other cultivation such as peach trees, wheat and beetrootin smaller quantities are not left out.

The technical approach of “Martignani” Electrostatic-Mist Blowers was integrated some time ago following a professional conference between Dr. Randi and Dr. Bellettini, the latter presently being an agricultural technician (Agronomist) and manager of the Martignani srl Italian counting house.

The contactwas concretised in the spring of 2005 with the purchase of the Mod. Whirlwind B-612 TURBO 2 Pneumatic Mist Bower with Electrostatic charged droplets.

At first the insecticide treatments were carried out by Luigi. It was then Dr. Massimo who dealt with thephytosanitary management of the family vineyards, personally carrying out the defence operations on board a tractor..

We have now come to the fourth season using the Martignani Mist Blower and Dr. Massimo tells us about the convenience of having invested in this equipment and how we have reached the optimization of the productive processes.

At the speed of 8,3 Km/h with a volume/ha of 200 litres, 7,5 ha are treatedin the morning and7,5 ha in the afternoon while the remaining hectares are completed the following day.

Previously, with a conventional atomizer (or Air Blast Sprayer) distributing 600 litres/ha, several refuelling and a total of 4-5 days of time were required.

Only some treatments , such as those against moth infestations of the grape-vines, are carried out at a higher volume (400 l/ha), while the remaining, and larger part, of the field is treated at 200 l/ha.

In these 4 seasons,the Randi family has certainly optimized the technical management of the vineyard in the best possible way, saving tons of water, hours of manpower and above all 20% of chemical product (or active ingredient) used for both contact and systemic chemicals, in every treatment.

Above all, they have reduced the phytosanitary defence operations to only 2 days, enabling them to concentrate and aim the remaining hours of manpower at other activity within the company.

Finally, it gives us great pleasure to report that, for some years, the Randi company has been part of the Bagnacavallo consortium which is the producer and distributor of the well known “Burson” (http://www.vinography.com/archives/2004/07/2000_burson_rosso_ravenna_cons.html ) wine obtained from “Longanesi” grapes.

For further information on the Randi company, visit www.randivini.it and/or send an email to info@randivini.it