Page 55 - Grapevine SeptOct 2021

Around The Vineyard

just generating (or paying for) cool vineyard imag-
ery and then wondering how to use it. VINEYARD MULCHERS

For instance, if a grower is struggling with soil fer- Custom Built • Built To Last
tility, they could make it a goal to use PV to refine Whatcom Manufacturing’s Mulch Spreaders are specifically engi-
their nutrient management practices. They could neered for fast, easy & precise mulch application in your vineyard.
do this by mapping soil and foliar nutrient data Our Spreaders are available in multiple sizes with numerous
and vine vigor across the vineyard, and then alter- options and features to accommodate all of your application needs.
ing their fertilizer regimen based on the needs of
each zone. As emerging technologies become more
accessible, such as the aerial-based nitrogen map-
ping described by speaker Alireza Pourreza, grow-
ers could combine that with their ground-level data
to improve their level of information.

Ideally, they could find a consultant trained in pre-
cision agriculture to help them get rolling.

One of the biggest takeaways I got from the sym-
posium was that trained viticulture consultants and
perhaps even some Extension professionals will
likely play a big role in helping growers implement Phone: 360-354-3094
PV in the future. info@whatcommfg.com
Website: www.whatcommfg.com
According to Bruno Tisseyre of L’institut Agro in
France, trained advisors are key because they can
become experts in the technology. They could pro-
vide the equipment and interpret the PV data it
generates, allowing growers to focus on all of the
other aspects of vineyard management.

The Precision Viticulture Symposium was
co-hosted by the American Society of Enology
and Viticulture and the National Grape Research
Alliance. Funding was provided by USDA’s National
Institute of Food and Agriculture, and sponsored
by Turrentine Brokerage. The full speaker line-
up can be found at https://graperesearch.org/
asev-ngra-precision-viticulture-symposium/

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