Michigan Grape SocietyNewsletter--June 1999
Michigan Grape Society
Newsletter--June 1999
Vineyard
Row Middle Sprayers Available to Growers
By: Thomas J. Zabadal
Michigan State University Extension in cooperation with Tapper Pest Management will once again offer growers the opportunity to use experimental sprayers to apply low-volume, low-rate applications of Roundup herbicide to vineyard row middles. These sprayers are easily attached to a tractor 3-point hitch, easily calibrated and easily operated with a set of instructions available with the equipment. Applications are made at a ground speed of 4 mph which translates to about 20 minutes per acre to treat a typical vineyard.
During the winter these sprayers were renovated to further simplify the controls used to establish the proper sprayer pressure and boom height above ground. When properly adjusted, these sprayers apply 10 gallons per acre sprayed at a pressure of 18 psi and deliver a spray pattern of approximately 68 inches wide. To schedule use of a sprayer contact either Tapper Pest Management near Paw Paw (616-657-3405) or the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (616-944-1477 x 200, ask for Diane) on a first-come basis.
Prospects currently look good for many vineyards
to produce a sizeable crop this year. However, soil moisture is highly variable throughout
the area. Arresting growth of row middles with sprayers like these is an excellent way to
conserve soil moisture and allow vines to develop and mature a sizeable crop. We
thank the Monsanto Company for making funds available to develop and evaluate these
experimental sprayers.
International
Symposium of Cool Climate Viticulture
By: Thomas J. Zabadal
Growers and wine makers in cool viticultural
climates such as Michigan will have an opportunity to participate in a 5-day educational
experience covering numerous topics relating to production of grapes and wine in cool
climates. The 5th International Symposium on Cool Climate Viticulture and Enology will be
held next January 16 - 20 in Melbourne, Australia. This major cool climate wine producing
region has more than 150 wineries. Many of the presentations will actually be held out in
grape-growing regions. In addition, there will be both pre- and post-symposium tours to
visit other viticultural areas in Australia as well as Tasmania and New Zealand. General
information about this event can be obtained through the Internet at
www.icms.com.au/coolclimate. Some Michiganders and other Midwesterners are already
planning to attend this meeting. If you think you might be interested in joining a group
of Michigan or Midwestern people to attend this meeting, contact Diane Dings (616-944-1477
x 200). Based on this response The Michigan Grape Society and Michigan State University
Extension will investigate the possibility of group travel to this event.
Hey mate, hope to see you down under!
Mechanical
Shoot Positioning Promotes Development of Fruit Soluble
Solids in Concord Grapes
By: Thomas J. Zabadal
A four-year study at the farm of Don and Dave Baiers near Bainbridge, Michigan indicated that mechanical shoot positioning can significantly increase the fruit soluble solids of Concord grapevines trained to Hudson River Umbrella (top wire cordon).
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This study investigated several times of mechanical shoot positioning to include two, four, and six weeks after bloom and combinations of those times. Data collected in this trial confirmed that the most reliable time for shoot positioning to increase fruit soluble solids was two weeks after bloom. Later times of shoot positioning and multiple times of shoot positioning were also capable of increasing fruit soluble solids, but they caused a significant decrease in yield in some years. Yield reductions from the mechanical shoot positioning in this study was caused by the increasingly aggressive removal of both leaves and clusters as the season progresses. Although all times of shoot positioning in this study significantly increased fruit exposure, later times of positioning tended to also reduce the leaf area. In some years positioning in mid-to-late July removed so much leaf area that fruit soluble solids actually decreased. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that growers should consider mechanical shoot positioning to enhance fruit soluble solids in Concord grapevines but that it should be performed early in the growing season.
9:30 a.m. TRADE SHOW opens
10:00 a.m. WORKSHOP SESSION I
WORKSHOP #1 - Identifying insects, diseases and other vine conditions - Mark Longstroth and Duke Elsner (RUP credits applied for)
WORKSHOP #2 - The performance and wine quality of several Pinot noir clones grown at SWMREC - David Stocking
WORKSHOP #3 - The use of herbicides in the vineyard - Tom Zabadal (RUP credits applied for)
10:45 A.M. EQUIPMENT DEMONSTRATIONS
12:00 p.m. COMPLIMENTARY LUNCH - Courtesy of the trade show exhibitors
1:00 p.m. EQUIPMENT DEMONSTRATIONS
1:30 p.m. WORKSHOP SESSION II
WORKSHOP #4 - Fundamentals of trellis construction - Bryan Cronenwett, Tom Tapper, Jim Ertman and Gaylord Brunke
WORKSHOP #5 - Strategies for disease control and new fungicides for vineyards - Annemiek Schilder (RUP credits applied for)
WORKSHOP #6 - Training grapevines - Tom Zabadal
WORKSHOP #7 - Identification of grape insects, diseases and other vine conditions - Mark Longstroth and Duke Elsner (RUP credits applied for)
WORKSHOP #8 - Fruit quality: methods of measuring soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity and their importance - Chas Catherman and Dave Miller
2:15 p.m. WORKSHOP SESSION III
WORKSHOP #9 - Canopy management - Stan Howell
WORKSHOP #10 - Cover crops - Choices and direct seeding - Dale Mutch and Chris Oxley
WORKSHOP #11 - Grapevine photosynthesis - Paul Pietrie
WORKSHOP #12 - Fruit quality: methods of measuring soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity and their importance - Chas Catherman and Dave Miller
3:00 p.m. Refreshments
3:15 p.m. TOUR OF RESEARCH PLOTS
4:30 p.m. MICHIGAN WINE HOSPITALITY - Thanks to the support of several Michigan wineries
5:15 p.m.
STEAK COOKOUT prepared by the Michigan Grape Society
