The "R" Word

15 July, 2009

Most "R" words nowadays are synonymous with the word ‘Recession'. It doesn't matter which website, blog or twitter one reads, the "R" word appears to be firmly entrenched in everyone's vocabulary.

However, the recession has provided opportunities for wine businesses to revisit and rethink how to get the best return on their investment. The vineyard is one area closely being scrutinised by wine companies as quality and cost efficiencies are paramount to improving the bottom line.

REVIST THE GRAPEVINE

There are many opportunities throughout the growing season for growers/viticulturists to identify factors that will influence the development of fruit and growth of the vine.

Below the ground

The root system is the hub for the following years growth and a more developed root system will lead to better uptake of water and nutrients. Late planting will produce an insufficient root system and this will result in minimal shoot and leaf growth needed for photosynthesis. Optimum photosynthesis is the key to produce sugars and starches necessary for ample carbohydrate storage.

The root system supplies water and nutrients required for aerial growth, whilst the shoot system supplies the necessary carbon substrates needed for root growth. Grapevines require a supply of carbohydrates from stored reserves to support new root and shoot growth in spring. The production of carbohydrates during this period is also important to fill grapevine starch reserves in shoots, cordon arms, cordons, trunk and roots.

RETHINK VINEYARD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Variability in vegetation balance, vine vigour and soil moisture will affect the health of the grapevine. The subsequent effects of irrigation, fertiliser programs, pruning methods and/or disease control will therefore greatly determine yield, ripeness and the subsequent quality of fruit picked from the vineyards; the quality of information available for managers will always play a critical role in vineyard management decisions .

Therefore, rethink the tools that are available to make informed and accurate decisions to identify disease, improve vine health and reduce variability in the vineyard; these are the fundamental objectives of Precision Viticulture (PV):

- Quality vs yield. Most would agree that a trade-off exists between quality and yield. For instance heavy pruning and water stress may improve quality but at the detriment of yield. The premise of PV is to be able to achieve both quality and yield; if vines within a block can be made to behave in a similar way through targeted management based on PV , then here is a means to reduce potential overheads. Furthermore this provides winemakers with greater options for separate harvesting and blending opportunities to produce better and one hopes more profitable wines.

- Disease and pest programs. Vineyards are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of chemical fungicides and the need to comply with industry standards programs such as SWNZ. Targeted application of sprays for disease and pest control can greatly improve the effectiveness of what is applied, retard the rate at which resistance builds up in pathogen and pest populations as well as reducing the need for pesticide applications. This equates to a better and less expensive pest and disease management program.

- Adding value to your product - by reducing the risk associated with the supply chain process. Traditionally growers have erred on the side of caution by the application of additional disease control inputs, and employing labour units to ensure the best possible return for the fruit. However, with the information tools available such as Digital Multi Spectral Imaging (DMSI), risk management should be common place; utilising technology and information systems to accurately improve quality by firstly decreasing variability in the vineyard.