Page 46 - Grapevine Jan-Feb 2020

Around The Vineyard

Proper Vineyard Equipment Enables

Successful Vineyard Management

By: Gerald Dlubala
W harvesters, sprayers or some other piece Labor And Resource Saving Spray Systems
hether we’re considering leaf pullers,

of machinery, good vineyard manage-
“The right equipment for your vineyard always
ment starts with the right equipment. Properly comes down to your needs,” says Willie Hartman,
matched vineyard equipment helps necessary tasks President and owner of Oregon-based On Target
get completed on time, and are crucial to running Spray Systems, a manufacturer of next-genera-
and maintaining the efficient operation and grow- tion electrostatic sprayers. “Your most used, and
ing conditions that lead to a successful harvest. subsequently, most needed, vineyard equipment
Additionally, having the proper vineyard equipment indicates how important the task is to you and your
available saves time and money by reducing the vineyard. So, in our case, we ask how important
number of working hours while contributing to spraying is compared with the other tasks in your
larger, more bountiful harvests and heartier crops. vineyard management process.”

However, the proper vineyard equipment, (includ- The answer depends on the amount of time and
ing the amount you’re willing to spend on them), money spent on spraying throughout the produc-
can be subjective, so it’s always recommended that tion cycle. A significant issue over the past couple
you research and get the equipment that’s best of years, especially on the East Coast, has been
suited for your specific situation.

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