Pepin Heights Orchard recently installed an anti-hail cannon to help protect its apples from hail damage.

When engaged either remotely or on-site ahead of a storm that may produce hail, the cannon fires every eight seconds. When fired, the hail cannon produces shock and sound waves that are generated when acetylene is ignited in a pressure chamber and sent into the atmosphere through a large cone. The sound and shock waves can protect up to a 100-acre area.

Pepin Heights installed the anti-hail cannon as an attempt to mitigate damage after seeing an increase in hail incidents over the last decade. Even cosmetic damage can disqualify quality apples, including high-value varieties like SweeTango from fetching fair market prices.

Pepin Heights chose to invest in an anti-hail cannon rather than install protective netting over its entire 110-acre farm or carrying special hail insurance.

Battling hail with sound dates back to the 17th century when European churches would ring their church bells during thunderstorms in exchange for a share of farmers’ harvests.

– Article courtesy of Andrew Eggenberger