Category: Archived Articles

Few things frustrate vineyard operators more than producing healthy grapes only to have them eaten by pests. Small insects are a significant cause for concern, but larger animals often put delicate grapes at risk as well. This article will discuss the topic of wildlife control in the vineyard and the various ways that vineyards can effectively and humanely deter wildlife to protect their valuable grapes.

Wildlife That Impact Vineyards

Matt Doyle of Doyle Vineyard Management in Hammondsport, New York told The Grapevine Magazine that the most common pest problems that occur in the Finger Lakes region are deer, birds, and turkey. A premier Finger Lakes region grape grower, Doyle Vineyard Management also offers full-service vineyard management services and sustainable vineyard programming.

Meanwhile, in the Sebastopol, California area, Rick Williams of Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery said most of the wildlife issues that plague vineyards in this region are gophers.

“Most of the problems that they cause are with new plantings, whereby they will eat the tender roots of new plants,” Williams said. “Established vines have such an extensive root system that the gophers don’t generally pose a serious threat. The holes that they dig cause issues within the vine rows, creating soft spots that tractors and other vehicles traveling down the vine rows can sink into.”

Williams said that rats and mice climb vines to feed on the berries. “Most other problems are from coyotes that come into the vineyards and are digging after the gophers because they dig large holes,” he said.

According to Williams, birds also cause a significant problem in vineyards when they eat the berries as they mature. Wayne Ackermann of the Wilsonville, Oregon-based Bird Control Group told The Grapevine Magazine that the type of birds that cause damage and financial loss to vineyards largely depends upon the location.

“On the west coast, we tend to see most damage caused by starlings and blackbirds,” Ackermann said. “On the East Coast, cedar waxwings and robins tend to be the issue, but in all regions, there are many birds attracted to the sweetness of the ripening grapes.”

Not only can wildlife pests eat the grapes and gnaw on the roots and trunks of grapevines, but they can also cause other significant types of damage as well. For example, wildlife pests can damage irrigation systems, cause erosion, and leave bacteria and fungus on grapes from their fecal matter. These behaviors cause contamination, bunch rot, and off-flavors in the final product.

Wildlife Control Solutions for Vineyards

Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent and control wildlife through vineyard management and safeguards. There is rarely a one-size-fits-all approach to wildlife control, so vineyard owners should consult with pest control experts in their local area for advice.

Deer in the Vineyard

Deer tend to enter vineyards early in the year to graze on young shoot growth, which can destroy a vineyard’s training system. Deer can also be a significant nuisance when it comes time for harvest. It is best to use deterrents before the animals have discovered the potential food source.

Sunni Ashley, co-owner of Vineyard Industry Products, and said that deer, pigs, and bears are best controlled with fencing. The company has stores in Windsor, Paso Robles and Los Alamos, California carrying a variety of wildlife control products for vineyards. Their products include barbed wire, bird netting, mylar tape, traps, grow tubes and, of course, fencing. Fencing that extends six to eight feet high and made of woven wire can be installed to deer-proof a vineyard.

“Deer require at least six feet of fencing, but depending on the area, you may need to go higher,” Ashley said. “You can add two strands of high tensile wire at the top to get to seven feet. For pigs, putting the barbed wire along the bottom and connecting it at each stake (and sometimes another stake in between the standard fence posts) helps.”

Meanwhile, physical barriers, such as grow tubes and mesh vinyl screens, can be placed to protect young vines. In some regions, vineyard owners can obtain deer damage permits to hunt deer that cause substantial damage to crops and to reduce the population outside of the established hunting season. Odor repellents can be useful for deer control, acoustical repellants can scare away both birds and deer, and dogs can be trained to deter deer and protect vineyards too.

Doyle uses many of these options to keep deer from his vines. “The ways we control [deer] are utilizing fences for severe deer pressure, pig blood spray to deter deer from eating the vines, and having people fill out NYSDEC deer nuisance permits. We use Plantskydd deer repellent sprays on newer vineyards,” he said.

Rodents in the Vineyard

Many pest control and vineyard management companies use traps and baiting to control wildlife, mainly gophers. It is recommended to set many traps, note the location of gopher mounds, and place bait in the pests’ underground tunnels.

This process requires a substantial amount of patience and effort, which is why fumigation may be used simultaneously to control gophers and other rodents using aluminum phosphide in the late winter and early spring with moist soil. Other wildlife control solutions include bringing in barn owls to help control field mice, voles, and gophers. Nest boxes in the vineyard help owls set up habitats to accomplish this type of rodent control.

Williams of Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery said that they “carry a variety of traps to kill the gophers.” He also said they do not have cost-effective organic rodent deterrents for large-scale application.

Birds in the Vineyard

Birds often pose late-season threats to vineyards, especially for those in a migratory pathway. Bird control is typically a point-of-contact effort, with netting and scare devices among the most common deterrents.

“For birds, we typically use BirdGard brand devices to deter birds, bird bangers, or occasionally net varieties that have heavy pressure. We have no real control measures for turkey, but they cause minimal damage compared to the deer and birds,” said Doyle.

Netting is a popular choice among vineyard owners, although bird nets can be a hassle to put on and later remove. Over-the-row netting is often used in vineyards to cover large surface areas. These nets are made of nylon, plastic, cotton, polyethylene, or a lightweight acrylic material to drape over plants. Netting can be a costly investment for a vineyard, but a quality net lasts several years.

Scare devices such as motion-activated water sprinklers and electronic scarecrows are also typical.

Bird Control Group is the world leader for laser bird deterrents and bird repellent solutions that have proven to decrease bird nuisances by over 70 percent. The company offers a fully automated bird repellent system that effectively scares away birds by projecting a laser beam towards them. The birds perceive the laser as a danger and fly away. It’s a one-time investment that does not harm the animal or the environment, and it has patented safety features to eliminate potential hazards.

Bird Control Group initially targeted commercial blueberry growers in 2017 because they do not have the option of netting and often depend on expensive falconers for bird control. After immediate success providing an effective, cheaper solution, the company ran two experiments with vineyards that same year in Petaluma, California and the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Both vineyards saw great success and saved on labor.

“In 2018, many vineyards incorporated our laser technology in California, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Nebraska, New York, Rhode Island, and New Jersey,” Ackermann of Bird Control Group said. “We have also seen our sales aggressively grow with vineyards in Australia and Chile, as their season is just getting going. The lasers are a very good tool, and the trend is for customers to return for additional units and also send their friends to us. We always say that farmers vote with their wallet, and when they return to buy more lasers, we know it’s doing something well for them.”

Ackermann of Bird Control Group reminds vineyards there is no silver bullet and that vintners should incorporate methods that fit into their current pest management strategy. Noisemakers, netting, and Falcons all have their successes, but they can also create challenges with neighbors, become labor-intensive, and drain a vineyard’s budget.

“Our lasers aren’t a 100 percent cure, but they do work well and provide a large amount of control,” Ackermann said. “The key advice, I would say, is to start early. Your best success is to keep birds out of the vineyard and not let them get a good taste of the fruit. Just like other measures of a good IPM Program, prevention is always easier than eradication when farming.”

To comply with the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, vineyard owners should check the local and state laws before controlling any bird species. This act protects all birds aside from pigeons, starlings, and sparrows; however, local ordinances may vary from place to place.

Organic and Natural Wildlife Control

For a more natural approach to wildlife control in the vineyard, adding plants is a simple, humane, and proactive way. Aromatic deterrents are ideal for rabbits and deer because both are sensitive to smells. Marigolds, for example, can be planted at the end of vineyard rows to deter rabbits. Vineyard operators can plant strong-smelling herbs such as tansy and artemisia near the vineyard. Culinary herbs, like mint, thyme, oregano, chives, sage, rosemary and dill have a similar effect.

These methods play into the strategy of biodiversity within a vineyard and may be more of a priority for organic winegrowers. Organic strategies typically revolve around creating habitats for beneficial animals and plants that are native to the region, as well as utilizing integrated canopy management and vine balance to keep the fruiting zone aerated, equipped with enough sunlight, and with the right amount of nutrients and water.

Pest Prevention and Monitoring in the Vineyard

Proper planning and preparation go a long way in keeping unwanted animals out of your vineyard and away from your grapes. In all seasons, it is critical to monitor the vineyard for large wildlife pests. Control strategies should be implemented at the very first signs of pest activity.

“The best way to monitor the vineyard for wildlife pests is to regularly walk the vineyard and inspect for evidence of these pests,” said Harmony Farm Supply’s Williams.

Ashley of Vineyard Industry Products and her team advise vineyards to keep gates closed, check around the perimeter daily for pests, and keep fencing in good repair. “Check for holes and damage in your bird netting prior to installation, install at the appropriate time, and secure it under the canopy properly,” she said.

Doyle of Doyle Vineyard Management emphasized that to have decent yields on grapes, you need to have some way of keeping the wildlife off the vines. “They can cause severe economic damage on some types of grapes,” he said. “In the Finger Lakes, it does seem that the pressure from these pests can vary greatly from one year to the next.”

By Gerald Dlubala

The style and type of fermentation and storage tanks used in wineries are dependent on many factors, but always includes the winemaker’s beliefs, experiences and history regarding the quality and traits of the wine they want to produce. Tank suppliers have become true partners with wine producers, shouldering the trust and responsibility for providing quality vessels to ferment, hold and enhance the winemaker’s product while sometimes even providing insight on the proper use of their chosen vessel.

Terracotta Amphorae

Such is the case with Manu Fiorentini, Founder and CEO of Itek Wines, a tank supplier, distributor and filtration service provider servicing California’s Central Coast.

Itek Wines’ offerings include oak barrels from the French region of Burgundy, Italian concrete tanks from Nico Velo and a complete line of stainless-steel processing equipment for wine production. However, it may be Fiorentini’s line of Terracotta Amphorae fermenters that may be their most intriguing line of fermentation and aging tanks.

“Terracotta and clay are where it all started, used as the primary vessel to ferment, store and carry wine as far back as the Roman Empire,” says Fiorentini. “The actual reasons that terracotta fell out of favor have never really been identified. We don’t know if they had to stop using terracotta for a specific reason or they just found other means, but about fifteen or twenty years ago, there was a bit of a resurgence in using terracotta and other clays for the purpose of fermenting and storing wines.”

Itek carries terracotta amphorae crafted from the renowned Impruneta clay, a unique blend of natural ingredients found in Tuscany and made by what he calls “local mom-and-pop producers.”

“There hasn’t been a whole lot of modifications to the vessel itself, just different mixtures of clay to control porosity without excess leakage. That porosity allows for natural micro-oxygenation which is beneficial for a healthy fermentation and bonding anthocyanin for better color in red wines. Additionally, amphorae are thin-walled, measuring only about an inch thick. This allows the amphora to sweat, eliminating excess wetness without adding in any strong tannins or aromas like oak,” says Fiorentini. “[These fermenters] are crafted primarily of minerals similar to those that are found in actual vineyard soil. The grapevines have been feeding off these types of soil-based minerals their entire lifespan, so continuing with fermentation and storage in that same, neutral environment allows for full expressions of flavor and minerality of the grapes, whether red or white. The results are very smooth tasting wines, with a soft, almost plush, pulpy mouthfeel, sometimes featuring a very slight mineral or earthy tone. It’s a happy result that has carried through even within our blending experiments.”

The benefits of this vessel extend to temperature control as well. “Terracotta amphorae also possess an extraordinary thermal insulation capacity that keeps contents cool by evaporating excess heat. The fermentation is slightly slower than you may be used to in other materials, staying steady and without heat spikes. Amphorae work for both wine and beer, providing a richer and brighter mouthfeel for either,” said Fiorentini.

Maintenance on amphorae is minimal. “They need, for now, to be washed with hot water at one hundred twenty degrees or less, due to the expansion possibilities of attached stainless hardware. That expansion can put pressure on the clay and possibly cause cracking,” Fiorentini told The Grapevine Magazine. “With our newer models, the stainless accessories are no longer attached to an embedded framework, so this is no longer an issue. You can use chemicals to clean and sanitize if needed, and then later to neutralize, but the amphorae are light and durable enough to tilt or lay flat for total access and superior drainage. Some wine producers have lined the interior of the amphorae with organic beeswax. This affects the oxygenation rates, and is usually done only with white wine varietals.”

Terracotta tanks have demonstrated superior lifespans when cared for properly, with some original vessels documented at over one hundred years old. The newer versions have been around for twenty years with little to no issues, and are rated comparable to concrete for longevity. If small, hairline cracks ever do show up, food grade resins, the same ones used for concrete tank repair, are perfect for correcting the cracking. Itek adheres to a detailed, multiple point inspection process from shipment to delivery, and the terracotta amphorae can be installed on powder coated frames if desired, making them easier to move and set in place with forklifts.

Tim Mondavi, American wine royalty and winegrower and proprietor at Continuum Estates, appreciates this type of vessel. “Concrete or various types of earth or clay are among the oldest containers known to man and among the oldest used for wine. They develop more elegance and tenderness of texture,” he says.

Rocking The Concrete

Concrete tanks remain a preferred choice for fermentation in many progressive wineries. Some of the most renowned wines in the world, including Château Petrus in Pomerol and Cheval Blanc in Saint-Émilion currently rely on concrete to produce their wines.

Experienced residential and business concrete companies like Sonoma Cast Stone of Petaluma, California have seen a resurgence in concrete use within wineries, designing and building concrete fermentation and holding tanks throughout Napa and Sonoma.

For wineries desiring a custom built concrete fermentation tank, casting the first mold comes with certain upfront costs. However, concrete is a balanced compromise between nonporous stainless steel and flavor-imparting oak barrels. Like clay, concrete allows a slower exchange of oxygen, and because of the tank’s massive size, temperatures rise slowly and steadily, eliminating heat spikes. Concrete fermentation tanks don’t require the cooling that stainless tanks need, so fermentation happens more naturally, resulting in better textures and aromatic notes. Like oak, but on a much smaller scale, concrete tanks retain a small amount of yeast and other natural byproducts from previous uses that impart additional qualities during future fermentations.

Applying epoxy coatings to concrete tanks may stop surface erosion caused by acidity in fermenting wines, but while epoxy covered tanks make cleaning and maintenance easier, some winemakers reported issues with temperature control and oxygenation. About ten years ago, this led some concrete tank manufacturers, including Nico Velo in Italy, to go back to using concrete without epoxy. However, they created new formulas, using concrete mixtures far superior to old ones, with no lime, silica, or other toxins typically used in standard, structural concrete. Manufacturers prep these modern concrete tanks with high acidic treatments to create a natural barrier that stops wine penetrating the concrete walls. Temperature control plates equipped inside tank walls provide slow, consistent temperature changes.

Tank shape can be custom molded and designed to fit any available space. Egg-shape tanks are popular since they lack corners or pockets for fermenting liquids to settle and stagnate. Other options include cubes and tulips, as well as round, cylindrical and custom shapes, limited only by the imagination. Customers install concrete tanks above ground, buried into the earth for thermal regulation, or even integrate them into the structural engineering of their building. Glycol temperature control systems can be embedded into the walls of concrete tanks, keeping them out of direct contact with the wine and preventing hot and cold spots.

Wood is Still Good

With all this talk about clay and concrete, for many vintners wood has not yet lost its charm or usefulness. Oak casks and vats offer quality holding power while providing outstanding and significant aromatic results. Even better, wooden vessels can now be fitted with many of the same convenience options that stainless-steel tanks offer, including the crawl-through doors, sash doors, top hatches, easily accessible drainage pipes, temperature control plates, thermometers and leveling gauges.

Red grape varietals are regularly housed in wooden vessels during early fermentation. Cabernet Sauvignon varietals are especially receptive to French oak barrels, readily accepting the familiar nose, tannins and vanilla flavors that we have come to expect. Bordeaux and Burgundy cooperages also use mainly French oak. Pinot Noirs and other lighter wines of the Pacific Northwest age exceptionally well in oak casks. Winemaker Chris Cooney of Dana Estates in Napa Valley says that wood tanks provide the great insulation that moderates the speed of temperature during the early fermentation process, allowing for smoother texture with less astringent properties.

Stainless For A Modern World

When it comes to cleaning, sanitation and maintenance, vintners are always looking for a better, more efficient way. It was partially because of this that stainless-steel tanks in wineries became the norm. Stainless steel is easy to clean and sanitize by hand or through a clean-in-place system. Also, their size is customizable, they can be modified to maintain proper temperatures easily, and they’re lightweight, making shipping and tank mobility simpler. These benefits, according to Colin Laursen, International Sales Manager for Paul Mueller Company, make stainless the best option.

“Presently, within wine production, we largely focus on stainless steel fermentation vessels because other than routine cleaning, there is very little regular maintenance required on a stainless-steel tank,” says Laursen. “Over time, the gaskets will need to be replaced, and if you use a tank with an agitator, some moving parts will need service, but honestly, I’ve seen our tanks currently in the field that we built back in the 1960s. Our tanks are known for their longevity.”

With global partners including Kendall-Jackson, Beringer, E & J Gallo and others, the Paul Mueller Company is no rookie when it comes to providing top quality, stainless steel tanks for the winery business. They offer standard tanks in different sizes but are also able to accommodate the individual needs of a winery when needed.

“The different red and white wine varietals won’t usually require different style tanks, but once you move into sparkling wines, you need different design specifications and considerations to produce a tank that can maintain high internal pressure,” Laursen says. “We also make stainless steel wine barrels to provide solutions for those winemakers looking for flexibility in their storage and fermentation choices.”

The simplicity of the stainless steel tank design makes improvements on it unlikely at this stage but opens the door for innovations in cleaning and maintenance. “Most of the trends we see coming aren’t about the tanks themselves, but rather in tank cleaning improvements and product agitation and recirculation,” says Laursen.

Laursen believes that stainless steel tanks are here to stay, with no new type of storage or fermentation vessel unseating them any time soon. “Tanks such as wood and concrete can have their place within the winery. The winemaker’s process will dictate tank requirements … but stainless is really the way to go.”

By Gerald Dlubala

Quality wines start with quality grapes. Quality grapes start with quality care, meaning everything from the soil to the prevention of disease and insect damage. Proper mowers, mulchers and spray systems can help with this process.

Slimline Manufacturing: Go With The Flow

Wayne Riddle sells Turbo-Mist Agricultural Sprayers for Slimline Manufacturing, based in British Columbia, Canada. Slimline sprayers take advantage of the wind’s trajectory, transforming a potential setback into the sprayer’s key feature.

“Any successful chemical application is based on good circulation,” says Riddle. “So, we control the movement of the wind to direct chemically loaded droplets to their target. The terminology that we use is the gear-up, throttle-down method, which is to say that we can speed up or slow down our machinery at the proper times to effectively change the speed and strength of wind flow, which then controls the direction and reach of the applied product. There can be different coverage needs for different areas of the vineyard based on factors like soil type, terrain makeup, disease or insect problems. This is where we need to adjust for different wind speeds to apply the right amounts of chemicals for a particular situation.”

Controlling coverage in this way means less waste, easier maintenance, and more environmentally responsible chemical application.

“This [feature] eliminates chemical waste and saves money on both fuel and equipment wear and tear. The tractor and sprayer don’t have to work as hard, so fuel consumption is more economical,” Riddle says. “We stay socially responsible by using the least amount of product possible and applying it most efficiently and effectively. By approaching spraying this way, we leave less of a carbon footprint.”

Slimline’s Turbo-Mist sprayer systems are made for farms of all sizes, from small hobby farmers to massive vineyards requiring four hundred-gallon sprayers. Riddle told The Grapevine Magazine that no matter the size, Slimline tends to attract forward-thinking, progressive farmers.

When it comes to future trends, Riddle is most interested in the management of the sprayers through the use of a data loaded spray controller and GPS technology.

“It would be extremely useful to load a spray controller with information including GPS data to manage and disperse the gallons per acre needed depending on the agricultural needs, regardless of tractor speed or nozzle wear.

BDi Machinery Sales

Bill Reiss, owner of BDi Machinery Sales of Macungie, Pennsylvania, stresses the importance of quality, easy-to-use spray systems that assist wine growers while letting them do things their way.

“Whether growers prefer a high wire, vertical shoot or another canopy system, it’s all about the delivery of the chemistry [sic] to the intended target while using the smallest possible chemically loaded droplet,” says Reiss. “The canopy style the farmer chooses to use determines the correct spray head for the application. Our CIMA sprayer systems can be fitted with a multitude of available spray heads appropriate for a variety of crops. We pride ourselves in finding solutions to the needs of farmers in America.”

Reiss told The Grapevine Magazine that disease and insects are the most significant problems facing wine grape growers simply because wine grapes aren’t native to the U.S. “Wine grapes need to be treated and monitored, and it’s always better to spray early in the season rather than waiting and trying to eradicate a problem once it shows up. Effective coverage is critical, and it takes better delivery using minimal chemistry [sic], smaller droplets with less overspray to reach the target,” he said.

BDi Machinery sells the Italian-made CIMA sprayer line. These sprayers use an atomizer and air shear nozzle to push the dead air out of the canopy, ruffling leaves as it goes. This movement guarantees the chemicals will hit all surfaces outside and inside the canopy.

“We minimize overspray by opening and closing the atomizer which controls the width and reach of every dispersed droplet,” says Reiss. “Calibration is as simple as tightening or loosening a couple of wing screws on a regulator to get the needed orifice opening for the desired coverage. You can easily change the calibration from field to field, block to block, or season to season with little effort.”

Maintaining CIMA sprayers takes minimal effort, something Reiss feels is pivotal for busy farmers. “Sprayer maintenance needs to be easy, or it simply won’t get done,” he says. “Look for things like rinse tanks and minimal grease fittings. Our CIMA sprayers have only three grease fittings and include both hand rinsing tanks and internal chemical basket mixing systems for chemical safety.”

Electrostatic Sprayers Use Laws Of Attraction For Efficient Coverage

“Honestly, the most important thing about vineyard sprayers is that they need to be reliable and work when we need them to work,” says Mark Ryckman, Sales Manager and co-owner of Progressive Ag Inc., in Modesto, California. “They need to be durable and heavy duty but offered in a simple package so they last while proving easy to operate. Ours are heavily constructed and powder coated to increase their longevity.”

Progressive Ag manufactures indirect charging, electrostatic sprayers in several models. “We put a static charge in each droplet coming out of our machines. Plants and vegetation are neutral, so the droplets are naturally attracted to the plant. With each droplet having the same amount of charge on it, the drops repel and push against each other like some of those magnets we’ve all played with as kids. By pushing against each other, they naturally space themselves apart, making sure the vine coverage is consistent and even,” says Ryckman.“The chemical loaded droplets can be dispersed in larger volumes through larger than the normal pinhole size nozzles. By using larger sized nozzles, we don’t have the plugging issue that standard pinhole nozzles can have. The chemical is then dispersed through air induction instead of pressure sprayed so it can naturally land where the attractive properties of the charged particles take them.”

Maintaining Progressive Ag’s LectroBlast sprayers doesn’t take long, but should be completed daily. Ryckman told The Grapevine Magazine it requires only a five-minute daily greasing along with cleaning the electrodes and regular flushing to “have the sprayer work when you need it.”

Ryckman is excited about future technological trends such as variable rate controls for the spray rates. “Through the use of drones, we’ll be able to locate insect problems or disease and fungus issues in specific locations of the vineyard. We’ll map it out, load it in the controller, and then be able to automatically apply variable rates of material depending on the specific needs of each location, more on the high-risk areas, and less on the areas that are doing well.”

Like Ryckman, Willie Hartman, President and owner of On Target Spray Systems in Mount Angel, Oregon, sees the importance of incorporating computerized rate control programming built through GPS or wheel sensors. “It’s one of the things that customers are continually asking for. They are looking for data and the valuable coinciding reports.”

Hartman also sells electrostatic sprayers for the vineyard and says that, now, more than ever, “It’s vitally important to get a sprayer that provides super coverage. Keep mildew at bay early with complete coverage, over leaves, under the leaves, and wrapping around the plant vines themselves.”

On Target sprayers charge the droplets through induction, meaning the particles run through an atomizer for absolute universal size. They don’t pick up their charge until run through the dispersing nozzle, where they get hit with one thousand volts on the way toward their target.

“We use the least amount of water per acre of all the other types of sprayers right now. With labor costs rising, we can save money on water use immediately. Less overall material to spread means less time on the tractor, translating into fuel savings. By using less water, we can concentrate our spray. When you use concentrated spray, there is less runoff, minimal drift, and improved chemical coverage leading to increased performance. In today’s world, that is extremely important because, with the organic farming push, we’ve moved away from systemic treatments and are now relying on contact treatments,” Hartman says. “Improved concentrations and better overall contact are critical and successful. We know it works because of situations like last year when the East Coast had terrible disease and fungus issues except for the handful of farms that were using our sprayer systems.”

Hartman told The Grapevine Magazine the maintenance step not to overlook is rinsing the sprayer after use. On Target sprayers reflect this belief through onboard rinsing tanks accessible with a flip of the switch. Additionally, all components, including liquid, air and the twelve-volt electric needed for droplet charging are separately enclosed.

Mowers And Mulchers For Ground Level Care

Replacement part availability is magnified when considering agricultural mowers and mulchers simply because of the complexity of these machines.

“It’s a real issue at times,” says Kevin Pereira, sales professional with Woodland, California-based Clemens Vineyard Equipment Inc. “We get calls all the time about replacement parts for mowers and mulchers because growers can’t get the right parts in a timely fashion. Sometimes we can help, but other times we can’t because they bought a machine that may not have a physical presence or supply outlet here in the states.”

Pereira says growers can avoid these issues by buying from an equipment company like Clemens Vineyard Equipment. “We have a tremendous history of over twenty years, with excellent support and a United States warehouse for priority parts availability when needed.”

“Mowers are mowers, and when you get down to it, they all do the same job,” says Pereira, “but parts and available service are just as important as features and pricing. Cheapest isn’t always the best, and in the case of mowers and mulchers, you generally get what you pay for. Clemens mowers and mulchers are built for heavy-duty use featuring long-lasting plates and components, and a premium flex adjustability feature for variances in row lengths.”

Proper mowing and mulching protects roots, increases soil structure, reduces soil erosion and temperature, and increases the vigor and yield of crops. Approach mulching much like spraying chemicals, by formulating a mulch mixture to best suit the needs of the area. Sections of a vineyard that have less than desired growth may need mulches with higher nutrient components, while organic based mulches can assist with water dispersal in lower elevations.

Row mulchers and spreaders save time and labor by efficiently spreading mulch, organics, compost and other soil mixes within vineyards. Since they’re considered specialty equipment, it’s critical that they provide a return on investment. For multiple rows, side mulchers are equipped with either dual or single side dispersing, but if needed, mulchers are available with remote and distance spreading capabilities to get the mulch to the targeted location.

“The type of mower or mulcher you should get is tied to your needs. Do you need to mow weeds and mulch, or mow, mulch and prune? The type and amount of versatility you’re after will make a difference in the machine you need. They’re not all created equal, with some being better at certain functions than others,” Pereira says. “Find the happy medium that fits your budget and priorities, but whatever type you choose, regular maintenance is very important. Daily greasing and a quick visual inspection to spot any excessive wear on parts or components is recommended. Depending on the size of the acreage and amount of use, mower blades should be changed either annually or bi-annually. Bearing checks are always a good idea, and as should be done with all machinery, occasional professional inspections are a good idea.”

By Jessica Spengler

As mechanization of vineyards becomes the norm throughout the world, equipment manufacturers have seen an opportunity to specialize. Tractors, in particular, are being designed to fit down the narrow rows of vineyards and orchards, as well as with higher horsepower, better versatility and ease-of-use. Now is the time for vineyards to re-invest in a new machine, since industry leaders, including John Deere, Kubota, and New Holland, all sell models specialized for vineyards and orchards. With a little research and guidance, vineyard owners and managers can easily find the best tractor for their specific needs.

Many wine growers may question why they need specialized equipment when they can just purchase a utility tractor for their farming needs. However, the needs of vineyard and orchards extend beyond those provided by standard utility tractors.

“Many producers have specific crops and specific planting which require special tractor dimensions to operate in those fields, orchards, or vineyards. Although a utility tractor might fit some of these requirements, there will usually be modifications required to make the tractor completely fit the application. Our specialty tractors are designed to fit into those specific applications. Our narrow tractors offer spacious narrow cabs to fit perfectly in vineyard applications along with higher hydraulic flow than a standard utility tractor to meet those specialty implement requirements.” said Tyler Pittson, Kubota M-Series tractors product manager.

Nick Weinrich, Product Marketing Manager for John Deere, said the grapes, in particular, are a significant concern. “Producers, no matter their operation, need a tractor to meet their specific farming practice from horsepower, capability, and fit. In the case of vineyards fit, from a dimension standpoint, is the main need. When talking about vineyards and any other high-value crops, the fruit is the most critical subject, since it can easily be damaged, bruised, or even knocked off the plant if the machines operating in the field come in contact with it. This turns into loss revenue to the producer,” he said.

Essential Feedback

Kubota and John Deere have both sought out feedback from vineyard and orchard managers to improve and design the best machines for their needs.

Kubota found horsepower, comfort and versatility to be a high priority. “Through dealer and customer feedback we have learned vineyard and orchard managers are looking for higher horsepower, more versatile tractors,” said Pittson. “We designed Kubota’s M4N/M5N models to meet their specific needs and harvest demands. Take a seat in any one of these new tractors check out the comfort and space of our cab, and you’ll understand why they stand out against the competition.”  Pittson.

The result was their M series line of tractors.

“The M Series models feature updated engines, intelligently revamped operator stations and improved hydraulics. The M Series specialty models also feature highly versatile transmissions designed to provide superior power and efficiency, for the most rigorous specialty environments. The M4N/M5N tractors are equipped with wet hydraulic clutches standard which improves durability, life, and reduces maintenance. The M4N/M5N narrow tractors deliver Kubota’s renowned M Series power and reliability in tractors engineered specifically for work in vineyards, orchards and other narrow environments,” Pittson told The Grapevine Magazine.

The Kubota M-Series Specialty Tractors Lineup includes the M4N-071, M5N-091, M5N-091 Power Krawler and M5N-111 narrow tractors; and the M5L-111 low profile tractor, the M6L-111 low profile tractor, and the M6H-101 high clearance tractor. The M4 and M5 models are equipped with Kubota’s V-3800 Tier IV engine and redesigned operator stations that enhance ergonomics and efficiency. The M5L-111 low profile tractor has standard shielding and a sloping hood to reduce crop damage.

“Another excellent model that we have is our M5N-091 Power Krawler which has wheels in front and tracks in the rear. This model offers superior traction and better stability than the standard wheeled version for those more performance demanding applications. The Power Krawler can be an essential tool for producers located in rocky and hilly areas,” Pittson said. For pricing and finance, visit your local dealer Kubota dealer.

Ease-of-use was at the top of many of John Deere’s customer’s lists of needs. “The largest hurdles producers are facing today is labor and uptime. They need tractors that work when they need them to, and John Deere has the best dealer network and parts availability to keep machines operating in critical times. To help with labor issues, John Deere manufactures tractors that are intuitive to a range of operator skill sets, as well as comfortable to operate to keep the labor coming back,” said Weinrich.

Years of experience and the time spent gaining insight into the needs of vineyards and orchards resulted in John Deere’s 5 Series.

“John Deere offers a variety of tractors that meet the need of narrow row/vineyards, from our six 5G models ranging from 75-100 horsepower, and then our narrow cab offering on our 5M and 5R models ranging from 75-125 horsepower. The 5G’s can get as narrow as 38.7” which is the narrowest offering in the NA market,” said Weinrich. “Vineyards stand to benefit from these by having a variety of offerings to meet their needs, most of which have the best maneuverability, turning radius, power, and hydraulic capacities in the industry, giving them the performance and productivity they need in the critical times, such as harvest.” Starting price for a base 5G 75 horsepower tractor is around $38,500 up to $58,000 for the 100 horsepower.

Getting Attached

The narrowness and ease-of-use of a tractor mean nothing if it cannot accommodate the implements needed to maintain a vineyard. Both John Deere’s 5 Series and Kubota’s M Series offer attachment capabilities for new and existing implements.

“The compatibility of implements with these tractors is high. Vineyards require a number of unique implements and attachments to maintain, manage, and harvest. Most of their current implements and attachments are compatible with our offerings. The 5Gs can have up to seven mid-SCV’s to attach implements and the highest hydraulic flow in the industry for these implements,” said Weinrich.

“The M Series specialty tractors have more hydraulic valve options, ready to accept implements requiring multiple valves with different flow requirements. The new models offer two self-canceling detent deluxe built-in flow control valves, with an option to add up to five total valves on the M4N/M5N. Each tractor features a Category II three-point hitch with easy adjust stabilizers to handle the wide range of specialty implements,” said Pittson.

Keeping Up With Technology

The newest technologies – from touch screens to remote access to guiding systems – have proven beneficial to growers of all shapes and sizes. John Deere, in particular, has embraced these systems, which feature prominently in their 5R series.

“At this time the 5R narrow cab is the most advanced utility tractor offering with integrated AutoTrac guidance and JDLink. Optional JDLink provides remote access for monitoring critical tractor systems and functions. Machine information and programmed custom alerts can prevent downtime by helping customers avoid equipment failures.   When JDLink is combined with Remote Display Access, producers can give their dealer remote access to the machine to troubleshoot potential problems, provide faster repairs or schedule routine maintenance. The 5M’s also offer a field installed JDLink option,” said Weinrich.

Kubota’s M-series includes a touch screen control panel, optional guidance system, and are designed to maximize the operator’s comfort.

“A redesigned cab on the M4N/M5N models features an updated dashboard with a multi-function, multi-view Intellipanel and LED cluster lighting,” said Pittson. “The M4N/M5N steering wheel has 40 degrees of tilt, making it easier to get in and out of the suspension seat. All of our specialty tractors are ergonomically designed, with all main controls located on the right side.  The narrow cabs feature’s a spacious cab, hydraulic shuttle, and an optional air ride seat. These tractors can also easily be fitted with Auto-Guidance systems and controls.”

Choosing Well

As mechanization grows in popularity, vineyard operators see greater efficiency, less fruit variability, happier, healthier workers, and a bigger bottom line. These benefits only occur, however, when the vineyard owner or manager chooses the right model for the size and needs of the vineyard. Knowing the land, doing the research, and talking to a reputable dealer will make that decision much easier.