Crop Update - 1/18/2007
Back to the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program Home Page

Sustainable Viticulture Workbook Project

Many have volunteered already! But we are still looking for more volunteers to assist us with the refinement phase of a sustainable Viticulture Workbook developed through a cooperative effort of growers, processors, the Finger Lakes Regional Grape Program, Long Island Grape Program and the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program.

At this point in time we are asking for help from growers to go through the workbook, answering the questions that pertain to them (and let us know what questions do not pertain to their operation). If you participate what you will end up with is a scorecard with scores from 1 (best practice) to 4 (should look at this practice to see if it can be improved). In the Lake Erie Region there will be a follow up visit from Tim Weigle and hopefully a member of the SWCD from your county (they have the money to help with cost sharing) to discuss how you might be able to move the practices that received a rating of 4 to a rating closer to 1.

If you are interested in working with us on this project please send Edith an email at emb35@cornell.edu or give her a call at 716.672.6830 so she can schedule an appointment with you.

2006 NY & PA Pest Management Guidelines are available on-line at: http://ipmguidelines.org/grapes/
If you prefer a hard copy version you can contact your local Lake Erie Regional Grape Program Extension office or local county extension office for partner counties (Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, NY, Erie, PA and Niagara).
Download Adobe Reader - free software that lets you view, print, search, and share Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files.

---

Grape Farm Business Management

Barry Shaffer

Tiling Vineyards Is Also A Risk Management Strategy!

After this past fall's extremely sloppy conditions, grape growers can pinpoint their worst water drainage areas. I heard of headlands being more of a problem for footing than ever before. While I usually look at tiling a vineyard in terms of improving growth and yields, we should think also of allowing harvesting during adverse conditions!

I believe growers should map out their wet spots and rank them by the scale of the problem and estimated cost to fix each wet spot. Astute managers could map out a timeline plan to install tile lines, clean ditches, or other measures. Every year should mean one or more of those wet spots improved. In a low profit year, maybe only one of the smallest projects should be attempted. In the end, these managers will have higher producing vineyards that will be easier to harvest!