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quality suffers. Some of the people the of Some suffers. quality

information on this important topic. topic. important this on information Identify the Mite Species: Mite the Identify U.S. POSTAGE

actually push the vineyard over the edge and edge the over vineyard the push actually

management is to continue sharing continue to is management

suggestions for mite monitoring. mite for suggestions P AID

add to these other stressful factors and factors stressful other these to add

making strides in improving our mite our improving in strides making W

orkbook has more detailed more has orkbook PERMIT #269

Brix level at harvest. They believe the mites the believe They harvest. at level Brix

community . The only way I see us see I way only The . down! The Lodi W Lodi The down!

inegrowers STOCKTON, CA

delay harvest and/or significantly lower the lower significantly and/or harvest delay shared within the winegrape the within shared with mites on them. Write this Write them. on mites with

60% infestation or greater) can significantly can greater) or infestation 60% famous for the information that gets that information the for famous gives you a percentage of leaves of percentage a you gives

icant Willamette mite population (maybe population mite Willamette icant fortunate because the region is region the because fortunate total number of leaves and this and leaves of number total

limit in terms of crop to canopy ratio, a signif a ratio, canopy to crop of terms in limit - Lodi growers and PCAs are PCAs and growers Lodi them. Divide this number by the by number this Divide them.

deficit irrigation is pushing the vines to the to vines the pushing is irrigation deficit different vineyards than yours. than vineyards different number of leaves with mites on mites with leaves of number

in vineyards with poor soils and/or where and/or soils poor with vineyards in perspective and yet are dealing with dealing are yet and perspective number to deal with, and count the count and with, deal to number

growing regions of California’s North Coast North California’s of regions growing

because they see things from your from things see they because

part of the vineyard, ten is an easy an is ten vineyard, the of part 2545 W. TURNER RD.

treated. Some believe that in the cooler grape- cooler the in that believe Some treated.

other growers may be extremely valuable extremely be may growers other

number of leaves off several vines in one in vines several off leaves of number LODI, CA 95242

it can adversely affect winegrape quality if not if quality winegrape affect adversely can it that you should know about. Talking with Talking about. know should you that known as ‘presence/absence’. Take a given a Take ‘presence/absence’. as known

problem while others said in certain situations certain in said others while problem Each material has strengths and weaknesses and strengths has material Each way to measure mite levels is using what is what using is levels mite measure to way

Some said they do not view the mite as a as mite the view not do they said Some Nexter, Fugimite, Acrimite, and Agrimek. and Acrimite, Fugimite, Nexter, treatment thresholds. Probably the simplest the Probably thresholds. treatment

got several responses from around California. around from responses several got come on the market the last few years, such as such years, few last the market the on come and quality will allow you to refine your mite your refine to you allow will quality and

illamette mite-infested vineyards. He vineyards. mite-infested illamette about W about ence with the several new miticides have miticides new several the with ence records, coupled with measurements of yield of measurements with coupled records,

He then asked what other consultants do consultants other what asked then He ment. Moreover, PCAs have extensive experi- extensive have PCAs Moreover, ment. seasons go by, good quantitative monitoring quantitative good by, go seasons

ragged, he never sees any affect on the fruit. the on affect any sees never he ragged, - with the many unknowns of mite manage mite of unknowns many the with . As . to their effects on vine yield and quality and yield vine on effects their to

feeding can make the vines look pretty look vines the make can feeding They are in the best position to help you deal you help to position best the in are They way you have no way to relate their numbers their relate to way no have you way

although in some vineyards Willamette mite Willamette vineyards some in although ways in the presence and absence of mites. of absence and presence the in ways measuring mite levels in some quantitative some in levels mite measuring

mite unless a client insists. He stated that stated He insists. client a unless mite many vineyards farmed in many different many in farmed vineyards many Quantitative Monitoring: Without Monitoring: Quantitative

never recommends a treatment for Willamette for treatment a recommends never and your farm advisor farm your and , Paul Verdegaal, see Verdegaal, Paul , in your vineyard. your in

alley reporting that he that reporting alley V Joaquin San the from Paul Verdegaal, and Other Growers: PCAs Growers: Other and Verdegaal, Paul help in identifying the kind of mites you have you mites of kind the identifying in help

began with a pest management consultant management pest a with began dvantage of Experience of PCAs, of Experience of dvantage A ake T views on mite management and getting their getting and management mite on views

illamette mite is a pest or not. It not. or pest a is mite illamette W whether management accordingly. management growers by talking with them about their about them with talking by growers

several California pest control advisors about advisors control pest California several and yield and quality and adjust your mite your adjust and quality and yield and farm advisor (Paul Verdegaal) and other and Verdegaal) (Paul advisor farm

participated in an on-line discussion with discussion on-line an in participated can make correlations between mite numbers mite between correlations make can of your PCA (if you work with one), your one), with work you (if PCA your of

mites in winegrape vineyards. I recently I vineyards. winegrape in mites mite levels but also yield and quality so you so quality and yield also but levels mite quality, and take advantage of the experience the of advantage take and quality,

tration of what comes from a lack of data on data of lack a from comes what of tration effectively means not only keeping records of records keeping only not means effectively tions on how mite levels affect yield and yield affect levels mite how on tions

The following discussion is a great illus- great a is discussion following The on-farm experience with them. To do this do To them. with experience on-farm in your vineyards, make and record observa- record and make vineyards, your in

. . successfully them with Lodi is for growers to learn from their own their from learn to growers for is Lodi monitoring, identify the mite species you have you species mite the identify monitoring,

to tell them apart is very important in dealing in important very is apart them tell to way we will improve our mite management in management mite our improve will we way monitoring, keep written records of this of records written keep monitoring,

differently than Willamette mite so being able being so mite Willamette than differently . Therefore the only the Therefore . quality and yield grape our mite management? Do more quantitative more Do management? mite our

Lodi region and this species behaves much behaves species this and region Lodi any time soon on affects of mites on wine- on mites of affects on soon time any So what can we do in Lodi to improve to Lodi in do we can what So

acific mite is becoming more common in the in common more becoming is mite acific P research by University scientists will be done be will scientists University by research Willamette mite damage that others do. others that damage mite Willamette

yield and quality. Furthermore, it seems that seems it Furthermore, quality. and yield Copies of the principles of sulfur dust stewardship are available in English and Spanish from Cliff or Chris at LWWC’s office. LWWC’s at Chris or Cliff from Spanish and English in available are stewardship dust sulfur of principles the of Copies : It is not very likely that detailed that likely very not is It : Quality and and consultants have more tolerance for tolerance more have consultants and

impacts that mite damage have on winegrape on have damage mite that impacts ecord How Mite Levels Affect Yield Affect Levels Mite How ecord R , it is also clear that some growers some that clear also is it , However

to go on regarding treatment thresholds and thresholds treatment regarding on go to

Willamette mites just make them look tired. look them make just mites Willamette differing canopy management styles. management canopy differing Cover sulfur stewardship with all applicator employees applicator all with stewardship sulfur Cover •

patchy; and 2) There is not a whole lot of data of lot whole a not is There 2) and patchy; infestation can burn leaves to a crisp whereas crisp a to leaves burn can infestation eties, different irrigation strategies, or strategies, irrigation different eties,

their distribution in the vineyard is often is vineyard the in distribution their Leave adequate buffer zones to protect sensitive areas sensitive protect to zones buffer adequate Leave • trouble. Moreover, a really bad Pacific mite Pacific bad really a Moreover, trouble. is explained by things such as different vari- different as such things by explained is

estimate their level of infestation because infestation of level their estimate react to them and it is easier to get into get to easier is it and them to react consultants can vary considerably. Part of this of Part considerably. vary can consultants

air movement of 2 miles per hour per miles 2 of movement air

reasons: 1) It is very difficult to accurately to difficult very is It 1) reasons: mite populations so you have less time to time less have you so populations mite considered unacceptable by growers and growers by unacceptable considered

yards a difficult issue. I have two main two have I issue. difficult a yards Avoid dusting during dead calm conditions in the presence of an inversion layer; in these situations apply sulfur dust where there is a minimum a is there where dust sulfur apply situations these in layer; inversion an of presence the in conditions calm dead during dusting Avoid • increase much more rapidly than Willamette than rapidly more much increase level of Willamette mite infestation that is that infestation mite Willamette of level

that I find dealing with mites in Lodi vine- Lodi in mites with dealing find I that hot weather Pacific mite populations can populations mite Pacific weather hot last 8 years for the BIFS program that the that program BIFS the for years 8 last

Sulfur dust should not be applied when wind velocity exceeds 10 miles per hour per miles 10 exceeds velocity wind when applied be not should dust Sulfur •

about mites. I will be the first one to admit to one first the be will I mites. about important to tell them apart because during because apart them tell to important clear from monitoring 70 vineyards over the over vineyards 70 monitoring from clear

It is that time of year again, time to worry to time again, year of time that is It

show you the difference between them. It is It them. between difference the you show early in the season. In the Lodi region, it is it region, Lodi the In season. the in early

When possible sulfur dust at night or on weekends on or night at dust sulfur possible When •

even better way may be to have your PCA your have to be may way better even they occur in vineyards at very high numbers high very at vineyards in occur they

Management Manual may be of help here. An here. help of be may Manual Management Willamette mites become a problem is when is problem a become mites Willamette

LWWC Research/IPM Director Research/IPM LWWC If dusting equipment allows, disengage blower when making row turns row making when blower disengage allows, equipment dusting If •

cult to tell apart. The UC Grape Pest Grape UC The apart. tell to cult reported that about the only time they see they time only the about that reported

BY CLIFF OHMART CLIFF BY

Avoid applications when people are active in areas bordering a treated vineyard treated a bordering areas in active are people when applications Avoid • Willamette mites and Pacific mites are diffi- are mites Pacific and mites Willamette responding from the warmer growing regions growing warmer the from responding

Managing Spider Mites in Lodi Vineyards Lodi in Mites Spider Managing

Stop dusting activities if sulfur will drift into sensitive areas sensitive into drift will sulfur if activities dusting Stop •

Some of the more important sulfur dust stewardship are: stewardship dust sulfur important more the of Some

Lodi wine industry featured on the evening news because a school bus was dusted with sulfur. with dusted was bus school a because news evening the on featured industry wine Lodi

it is absolutely critical that all growers and equipment operators adhere to the sulfur stewardship principles. I am sure none of us want to see the see to want us of none sure am I principles. stewardship sulfur the to adhere operators equipment and growers all that critical absolutely is it

IPM NEWSLETTER IPM

RESEARCH mildew control to coverage effective provide not would application the clear was . To preserve the use of sulfur in Lodi vineyards for the long term long the for vineyards Lodi in sulfur of use the preserve To .

•

cloud that slowly drifted across the road creating a hazard for passing vehicles. In other cases sulfur dusting was done in such strong winds that it that winds strong such in done was dusting sulfur cases other In vehicles. passing for hazard a creating road the across drifted slowly that cloud

For example, during a recent early morning period of temperature inversion a sulfur dusting in a vineyard next to a county road created a dust a created road county a to next vineyard a in dusting sulfur a inversion temperature of period morning early recent a during example, For

applied. I have become aware that some of the sulfur stewardship principles promoted in our region have not been adhered to in some instances. some in to adhered been not have region our in promoted principles stewardship sulfur the of some that aware become have I applied.

Sulfur dust is the backbone of Lodi’s powdery mildew management program. Now that the season is in full swing a lot of sulfur dust is being is dust sulfur of lot a swing full in is season the that Now program. management mildew powdery Lodi’s of backbone the is dust Sulfur

LODI - WOODBRIDGE WINEGRAPE COMMISSION WINEGRAPE WOODBRIDGE - LODI It is Time to Remind Everyone of Sulfur Dust Stewardship Dust Sulfur of Everyone Remind to Time is It

JUNE 2005 JUNE

Calculating don’t seem to need as much applied nutrients BY PAUL S. VERDEGAAL as most other commodities. From budbreak GROWER PROFILE: Robert Abercrombie IN THE VINEYARD University of California until bloom time shoots are relying almost Herbicide Rates Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor entirely on stored reserves for nutrients, other than a minor contribution from photosyn- Can Be Tricky Although Robert Abercrombie Robert now firmly believes The 2005 season has become a challenge to Winged Sharp Shooter (GWSS) and Vine thesis of the new leaves. Potassium and zinc was born in Visalia, CA, he that soil fertility is one of the plan around the frequent rainstorms. After Mealy Bug (VMB) provide plenty of concern, deficiencies (boron in more recent years) have wasn’t born into a farming most important factors “in two years of below average soil moisture at but the economy and wine sales seem to been a problem, but too much nitrogen has A LODI PCA RECENTLY BROUGHT TO family like many of the rest of creating a healthier environ- bud break, there should be an abundance of improve. There are full color informational been more of a problem. A nitrogen program us. His father was a busi- ment for the vine to thwart off available water this year to provide good deep posters available of both pests and it’s impor- of 20 to 30 pounds actual nitrogen (N) per MY ATTENTION THAT THERE HAS nessman while his mother pests and fungal problems.” soil moisture. Budbreak this year began even tant to identify any infestations that may acre will maintain most high producing vine- busily raised the family. To this end, he began earlier than last year (the earliest in memory), occur. There have been several meetings yards on a long-term basis. In most other BEEN CONFUSION OVER RATES OF Consequently, it wasn’t until planting mixed cover crops of but cool temperatures and regular storms introducing the pests (especially VMB), their situations, you may find 5 to 15 pounds of HERBICIDE APPLICATION IN SOME Robert was about 14 years old oats, barley, peas and bell have slowed the stage of vine growth to a few potential for increased costs and the signifi- actual N per acre is enough depending on that he had his first experience beans in every other row on days ahead of the normal mid May date for cant losses they could cause. As a grower or rootstock, site and well water nitrogen levels. LODI VINEYARDS. THIS IS A GREAT with farming. A close family VICE PRESIDENT, VINEYARD OPERATIONS all of his acreage. Robert budbreak. Currently total rainfall is more PCA you need to be on the lookout. Just as It’s possible to save some money and put it friend had an orange and Trinchero Family Estates/Sutter Home Winery states that “establishing an than 23 inches for the season, depending on importantly, your tractor drivers, field crews towards other nutrients, such as potassium OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND EVERYONE walnut orchard where Robert YEARS IN INDUSTRY: 27 ecosystem in the vineyard by location in the county. April temperatures or irrigators also need to be aware of VMB (K) or to vineyard operations. Nitrogen is a was hired for the summer. He planting different cover crops have been below average and the accumulated and GWSS. very elusive thing to measure compared to ABOUT HOW EASY IT IS TO BE ACRES FARMED: 2400 fondly remembers driving up seemed logical because the degree days for the month is about 244, One of the big current questions is less a other nutrients, but run a petiole analysis (leaf CONFUSED AND HOW TO AVOID IT. I and down the orchard rows ACRES SUPERVISED: 3200 plants act as insectaries which which is slightly below the average of 264 DD pest related one, but still is of environmental blades are no better and usually worse). Then spot spraying for weeds high VARIETIES: host beneficial insects and for the 23 year period since 1982. concern. There seems to be problems of talk it over with your PCA. WILL USE AN EXAMPLE OF SPRAYING atop a Farmall tractor. About Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, help control the pest insects.” What that may mean is there will be inconsistency and arbitrariness in the imple- Crop load and canopy management are diffi- Chenin blanc, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, 1 PINT OF GLYPHOSATE PER ACRE the time that Robert was Robert goes on to say how he some elbowroom for starting deficit irrigation mentation of the Conditional Ag Waiver cult subjects to discuss with the need to cover turning 15 years old, he and Pinot grigio, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, likes the fact that “cover crops programs until things dry out a little more program. Many questions are still unan- Syrah, and Zinfandel. increased costs of production, but may be FOR AN UNDER THE VINE WEED his family moved to Stockton also provide organic matter and warmer weather sets in for the season. As swered as University of California required to meet the winery demands for where he attended Stagg High School, graduating and improve the soil tilth.” The biggest problem important as reduced deficit irrigation is for Cooperative Extension (UCCE), Water higher quality in the current competitive envi- SPRAY IN A 21 ACRE VINEYARD in 1973. he had with organic farming is weed control quality, it’s still important not to overdo the Coalitions and growers statewide work on ronment. There still is a lot of discussion as Several years later, after graduating from under the vines because on a large scale farming vine stress on young vines, own rooted vines providing data, information and interpreta- to what is more important, leaf removal or WHERE THE UNDER THE VINE WEED- high school, Robert began working for a busi- operation, it is difficult to stay on top of weed with nematodes, poor soils or on certain vari- tion of initial results towards the regulatory shoot thinning. If you can only do one, shoot FREE STRIP OCCUPIES ONE THIRD OF nessman in Stockton. In 1978, the businessman development when there are so many other eties such as Chardonnay and Merlot, maybe efforts. If you haven’t been able to attend one thinning may win out in most vineyards, bought some property in Lockeford and asked if things to worry about. even Syrah. Last year there were some mid- of the regional or state meetings, talk to a unless there is extreme vigor or a history of THE TOTAL VINEYARD ACRES (33%). Robert would be interested in working at the While trying out organic winegrape produc- season and late summer problems during neighbor who has, or give a call to your local bunch rot. ranch. Robert remembered how he loved being tion, Sutter Home Vineyards decided to make periods of high temperatures. Coalition. It’s important you stay informed A topic that will need some in depth THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF GLYPHOSATE out in the country and working on those old their own compost and continues to do so today. In general the very cool and wet April of the changing rules and to be aware of discussion in the very near future is ”failure” NEEDED FOR THIS JOB IS 7 PINTS orange and walnut orchards and realized that that Robert uses the grape pomace produced at the weather seemed to help keep powdery proposed fee increases for the near future that of steel stakes in vineyard trellis systems. It was exactly the career path he wanted to pursue. Sutter Home Winery from the grapes picked at mildew at bay, while at the same time, may affect vineyard budget decisions. seems more of a problem in recent years and NOT 21 PINTS. THAT IS BECAUSE So, when his boss asked him if he wanted to work his vineyards. The process starts with nearly frequent breaks of dry periods minimized Economic pressures of production and appears in a variety of sites and situations. on the Lockeford ranch, he jumped on the oppor- 10,000 tons of raw grape pomace laid out in 20 Phomopsis Cane and Leaf Blight and Botrytis the possibility of contracts being offered again Some recent inquiries and Internet surfing ONLY A TOTAL OF 7 ACRES, A THIRD tunity. Robert spent the next 11 years helping run or so 1000 foot windrows that, once well shoot blight to scattered incidents of minor have provided incentives to redo the Lodi indicates to me we are seeing a real problem, OF THE VINEYARD, IS GETTING the day to day business of the ranch which grew composted, result in about 6,000 tons. From this problems. The recent thunderstorms did Cost Study of 2001. It should be available in but it is a complicated interaction of many walnuts, cherries, grapes, sweet corn and bell he bands on about 2 tons per acre, a process that cause some severe damage in areas of the four to six weeks as the final draft is now factors. It does seem to be literally a rapid SPRAYED. IN SOME INSTANCES THE peppers. has cut down on his fertilizer costs and reduced northeast county and into Sacramento being reviewed. Almost needless to say costs corrosion or loss of metal by a galvanic In 1989, Robert was hired by Sutter Home the amount of off-farm inputs. County. As the spring rains diminish and have gone up rapidly, while returns have stag- current, just like the old high school experi- PER ACRE RATE IS MISTAKENLY Winery as their vineyard manager for their Delta Sutter Home still farms a block organically normal temperatures return, vigilance should nated or at most slowly begun to bounce back ment of creating a battery of two electrodes in ranch where they intended to plant 526 acres of at Montevina Winery in Amador County, but increase in monitoring for powdery mildew. as we exit the recent down cycle. Of the a lemon. This weak but steady electrical MULTIPLIED BY THE TOTAL VINEYARD Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Robert thinks that organic farming has its short- Keep protection intervals reasonable or short more typical concerns of springtime produc- current between two metals, in this case the ACRES, RATHER THAN THE ACRES OF 1990. Sutter Home continued to purchase land falls, specifically around weed control. Robert and early season sulfur may be a good choice tion there is always plenty to think about and steel stakes and zinc coated trellis wire (elec- and plant winegrapes through the rest of the believes that mechanical tillage under the vines for resistance management and economics. so it’s time to consider: trodes), situated in certain soil conditions THE WEED-FREE STRIP, TO CALCU- 1990’s with the Clements Ranch in 1995, the took too much time and equipment and caused The general sense seems to be that Avoid early and excessive irrigation, but (chemical solution). What exactly is going on Sutter Road ranch in 1996, the Circle K ranch too much vine damage to be sustainable. demand and two light crops may help prices watch out for hot spells as spring turns to and how to mitigate or prevent the problem is LATE HOW MUCH MATERIAL IS and the Westside Ranch in 1998 for a total of Therefore, he is very excited about the new Lodi continue to improve. The Lodi District summer. In most vineyards there is little to open for some debate. At times it may seem NEEDED AND THIS IS THEN APPLIED nearly 2,400 acres of winegrapes in the Lodi and Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing Program should be in a good position to be a part of a no irrigation needed before late May or early the more we learn the less we know about a Delta regions all of which are under Roberts’s because, as he says, it takes “into account so many strengthening market. The season is young, June, especially this year. Deep soil moisture lot of things. If you have some questions or UNDER THE VINE. THE RESULT IS responsibility. He equates farming this huge different aspects of farming” that it becomes a but the cluster numbers look reasonable should be better this year; compared to the input let me know, as I think we may be amount of acreage to playing a chess game where “total farming system.” Robert goes on to say that across most varieties and sites. Hopefully, last two and that may provide a little margin discussing the topic more in the future. THAT THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF you strategize your next move to be efficient and it “takes the Lodi Winegrower’s Workbook and Mother Nature will be accommodating. for error, but still requires close attention. The overall good news is the Lodi MATERIAL APPLIED TO THE STRIP IS economic but never at the expense of quality. the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices to There are still state budget problems Bloom time is traditionally and generally district’s quality and value is more evident Robert’s career with Sutter Home Winery the next level, through certification.” Robert has that seem to elude solution, the War on Terror a good time to assess vine nutrition, especially than ever and becoming better known. Good THREE TIMES WHAT IT SHOULD BE. has been an amazing learning experience and as a attended all of the orientation workshops and is rolls on and viticultural threats of Glassy with reliance on drip systems. Grape vines luck in 2005. result, his farming style is continually evolving. prepared to enroll 20 acres into the program THE WAY TO AVOID THE CONFUSION Robert states that he “initially began farming during this first pilot year and if all goes well, using conventional farming methods like disking he’ll increase the acreage. IS ALWAYS CALCULATE HOW MUCH everything and relying on chemicals to cure all While attending one of the Lodi Rules MARK YOUR CALENDAR: JUNE 7, 2005 * 9:00AM – NOON HERBICIDE TO PUT INTO THE TANK our ills.” But, in the early 1990’s, Sutter Home workshops Robert heard someone say that they Pump efficiency measurements, cost sharing programs, and drip irrigation system performance and maintenance. Winery’s vineyard team became intrigued with wanted to leave the land they farm better than BASED ON SPRAYED ACRES, NOT the organic movement, and so they set out to when they received it. Robert took this to heart Presented by Center for Irrigation Technology Fresno State University, and the University of California. Sponsored by farm their vineyards organically. The experience and looking at his current farming style, he is TOTAL VINEYARD ACRES. LWWC and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance Program. Registration 8:30am – 9:00am. Lunch provided. was challenging but incredibly educational and accomplishing this goal today.

2 IPM • RESEARCH LODI-WOODBRIDGE WINEGRAPE COMMISSION 3