Case Study
Vegetable Grower Reduces Crop Loss to Birds by 70% with Autonomic Laser
The Problem
Randy’s Vegetables is a family-owned farm in Dundee, Illinois, specializing in the production of sweet corn. The farm and its popular farm stand have been in operation for over 50 years.
Randy’s Vegetables was struggling to control their bird problems for years. Jerry Gaitsch, co-owner of Randy’s Vegetables, estimated that a staggering 80% to 85% of his family’s crops were damaged by birds annually. In an attempt to deter nuisance birds from the farm, Gaitsch had tried a variety of bird control strategies, including:
- Streamers
- Noise makers
- Cannons
- Shot guns
Each solution, according to Gaitsch, “worked to a little degree… then quit working.” The family knew they needed to implement a long-term solution that would keep birds away for good – and stanch crop and profit loss.
Our Solution
In 2018, Wild Goose Chase installed an AVIX Autonomic Mark II laser on the farm. The laser, which is fully automated, humanely is capable of eliminating nuisance bird presence by over 90% when installed and programmed correctly.
Unlike the short-term deterrence solutions Randy’s Vegetables had previously experimented with, the AVIX laser provided continuous and lasting bird control. The beam of the laser, which birds perceive as a threat, sweeps a targeted area in random patterns that prevent bird from habituating
Wild Goose Chase's Impact
Post laser installation, Randy’s Vegetables saw a significant decline in bird damage. “Our losses have improved tremendously,” Gaistch shared. Crop losses from bird damage reduced to 15%, an impressive 70% reduction. Gaistch predicts the laser will pay for itself within the first one to two years as a result of profit gains.