posted by: heuchadmin In Australia’s harsh climate, that race can feel almost impossible to win.
But with new technology like vacuum cooling for turf, growers now have a proven way to extend shelf life, reduce spoilage, and deliver better-quality turf to customers — no matter the heat.
Here’s how vacuum cooling is reshaping the turf industry both globally and locally, and why now is the time for Australian growers to take advantage.
Once turf is harvested, the grass plants are still alive — they continue to respire, releasing heat and gases.
Packed tightly on pallets, and insulated by the soil backing each roll, the heat becomes trapped inside.
This can cause the temperature inside a pallet to soar, sometimes reaching over 70°C in just a few hours — a phenomenon known as sod heating.
At these extreme temperatures, turf rapidly deteriorates: yellowing, moisture loss, microbial growth, and root damage all accelerate.
Factors like high ambient temperatures, humidity, and delays between harvest and installation make the problem even worse.
For growers, this creates serious challenges:
Vacuum cooling offers a breakthrough solution for turf growers facing these challenges.
The process works by lowering the atmospheric pressure inside a vacuum chamber, causing moisture from the turf to evaporate rapidly.
As the moisture evaporates, it absorbs heat from the turf — quickly and efficiently reducing its temperature.
Besenthal’s Experience with Vacuum Cooling
One of the early adopters of vacuum cooling in the turf industry was Besenthal Gruppe, a leading turf producer based in the Germany.
Faced with the challenges of delivering fresh, healthy turf across long distances and variable climates, Besenthal introduced vacuum cooling to their post-harvest process.
The results were immediate:
Their success story showed the potential for vacuum cooling to revolutionize turf operations — and set a benchmark for growers around the world.
In early 2025, Heuch Cooling Solutions conducted a successful vacuum cooling trial with a major Australian turf grower operating across Victoria.
The trial tested two popular varieties — Sir Walter and Eureka.
Freshly harvested turf pallets with starting temperatures between 26°C and 28°C were cooled to 2°C in under 35 minutes.
This real-world Australian success proves that vacuum cooling isn’t just a theoretical solution — it delivers measurable benefits under local conditions.
Whether you’re operating in NSW, Queensland, Northern Australia, or cooler southern regions, vacuum cooling offers strategic advantages:
Modern turf varieties can be especially sensitive after harvest.
Vacuum cooling prevents rapid degradation, helping growers avoid up to 20% product loss.
Vacuum cooling allows harvesting to occur during normal daylight hours — no need for midnight starts or pre-dawn harvesting to beat the heat.
When rain is forecast, turf can be harvested early, cooled, and stored without worrying about heat or moisture damage.
Cooled turf can be stored for 24–48 hours while maintaining high quality, allowing growers to offer faster turnarounds for urgent orders.
Vacuum cooling limits surface moisture loss (typically just 1–3%), making turf easier to handle, lighter to transport, and less prone to disease.
Heuch Cooling Solutions is Australia’s trusted leader in end-to-end turf cooling systems, offering:
With over 50 years of engineering expertise, local support teams, and partnerships with global innovators like Weber Cooling, Heuch is proud to help Australian turf growers future-proof their operations.
Don’t let sod heating damage your product — or your profits.
Discover how vacuum cooling can help you extend shelf life, reduce wastage, and deliver fresher turf — even in Australia’s toughest climates.
👉 Contact the Heuch Cooling Solutions team today to discuss the right cooling solution for your turf farm.
Call us on 1300 001 952
Email us at cool@heuch.com.au
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