Good vineyard management involves careful monitoring, applying best practices at the right time and adjusting as needed to get the most out of this long-term investment. Producers must use new, smart tools and structures to become more sustainable. Changes are happening at a rapid pace and fast adaptability will be key.
This was the crux of the recently held Winetech Vinpro regional information sessions.
“These sessions enable producers, viticulturists, winemakers, students, service providers, cellar managers and boards to obtain region-specific information in an easily digestible format, as well as to provide feedback on research needs in their region,” says Conrad Schutte, Vinpro CEO.
“This year the message was clear. Push through uncertain times. We need more innovation. Farm better with better information and data. Use technology to your advantage and focus on the end game.”
The dos and don’ts of alternative electricity systems
Although solar systems require low maintenance, this does not mean the system is completely maintenance-free. These costs must always be factored into any decision-making process. Solar power is freely available and comes with a low cost – lower than diesel and more reliable than Eskom.
“The installation of infrastructure to generate and store electricity is an expensive capital expansion, but given the current trajectory of power costs and availability, it seems like a necessary expansion,” says Yolandi Botha, Vinpro agricultural economist. “A good solar power system, although initially expensive, has more advantages than disadvantages and is more cost-effective in the long run. However, it is important to do your homework well. Take ownership of the project and make the total sum which includes loss of income due to load shedding.”
Paul Kotze, Solar Energy Architects managing director, shed light on various options for producers and cellars in terms of alternative power and associated costs. This company effectively manages alternative energy options and offers various financing models, as well as rent-to-buy options. “With more than a decade of service in the wine industry, we know its distinctive needs. How much does one hour of load shedding cost your business? R50 000 in diesel consumption? Then the cost of a R3 million investment in solar power or a battery unit is not that much.”
Let technology work for you
Although powdery mildew was first noticed in South African vineyards in 1880, it currently accounts for 50% of producers’ spraying programmes. “It is extremely important that producers manage powdery mildew efficiently,” says Andries Duvenhage of Syngenta. “Spray preventively, shorten intervals when necessary and alternate products to counteract resistance. Syngenta is a world-class research company which focuses on innovation. Our new premium product, Miravis, will save costs in the long term as it reduces powdery mildew damage.”
Dianca Yssel of Blue North believes that the mobile app, Grape compass, provides accurate warnings to growers when fungal diseases strike. “Grape compass helps in the decision-making process. Producers can act more effectively and proactively with this application.”
Satellite-based data helps to manage vineyards efficiently, believes Ché-Slovo Jood of Blue North. “Fruitlook’s satellite-based data is used to monitor water consumption and thus help with irrigation decisions. Various other parameters are also measured, such as growth index. This offers scope for precision farming and thus costs are cut and production and quality are increased. This technology is currently available free of charge to all producers in the Western Cape.”
The TerraClim project, a flagship project of Winetech, was also under the magnifying glass. Emily Pienaar from TerraClim explained that this project is a remarkable tool to measure climate change by capturing weather data from 400 weather stations in the Western Cape. This application will be launched in September and growers who sign up will be able to pull climate analyses of their farms down to the block level.
How do you thrive in the midst chaos?
Rico Basson, SA Wine managing director, believes the pandemic has made people fearful. The daily uncertainty we live in given the economy and the industry makes everyone negative and discouraged. “It is, however, important to see the opportunities right now,” says Basson.
“Success means we have to be adaptable as an industry. The South African wine industry is not the only wine industry going through a difficult time. China’s wine consumption fell by 45% overnight due to legislation that had a direct impact on Australia. Look ahead and be positive. Price points are not going to rise overnight, but with small adjustments the South African wine industry should achieve a 40% price increase over time.”
Let data determine your decisions
“Use data to make your decisions,” says Johan Meissenheimer of Revive Solutions. Johan compared precision agriculture and decision-making agriculture. “With precision agriculture, you can manage your inputs and still maintain production. Production can also be raised without raising input costs. The quality of products can also be improved if one has the right data. Better information means more and better decision-making, as well as a decrease in expenses.”
Dr Elleunorah Allsopp put the spotlight on vine mite. From her research results, it appears that there are many more species involved in symptoms than expected. According to her, practical control measures are very important.
“It is clear that data-based management practices and their adaptation to conditions during the seasons are of crucial importance,” says Dr Etienne Terblanche, Vinpro vineyard consultant. “The only certainty in the face of climate change is change.”
Moisture management for the benefit of grape and wine quality was emphasised by Stellenbosch University researcher John-Murray Visser. “Moisture stress after pea berry at non-critical stages can have an advantage on grape quality,” he says. His research on moisture management for quality on floodplains particularly excited producers in the Orange River area.
The findings of Dr Carolyn Howel from ARC Infruitec Nietvoorbij regarding the recycling of cellar runoff water through cover crops have raised interesting questions. Can water be administered cautiously as potassium fertiliser without causing soil salinisation? Any such hopes were dashed by her confirmation that there is no cover crop that sufficiently absorbs salts.
According to Johannes Mellet of Klawer Cellars, the lifting of compacted soil with limited root growth in existing vineyards has great benefits if done correctly. However, a lot of factors must be considered. Ripping can potentially be beneficial, but other factors, such as implement choice, soil water content, time of season, and soil type are also important. “Root pruning is actually bad for vine roots. It causes big wounds and removes reserves. However, it is about improving the soil, removing compaction and promoting new root growth.”
Pruning principles for success
The training of farm workers to encourage promotion and development on farms was also emphasised. Hanno van Schalkwyk, Vinpro viticultural consultant, shared technical tips on pruning time. “Each vine and cultivar must be pruned for a specific purpose,” he says.
Soil survey on soil health
A questionnaire on soil health to establish a basis according to which producers can evaluate their soil health can now be completed. Information from this questionnaire will be used to better define soil health as a concept. “Soil health is a vague concept that needs clarification to level the playing field,” says Dr Evodia Seati, associated with Stellenbosch University. Fill out the questionnaire here: https://forms.gle/h4kry1J5ZCG5gRyC6.
Issued by: Vinpro and Winetech
Media Enquiries:
Wanda Augustyn
Vinpro Communications Manager
Tel: 021 276 0458
E-mail: wanda@wineland.co.za
