Dr. Badr explains how weather models can influence production practices.

Dr. Badr explains how weather models can influence production practices.

2018 Grape Growers Conference

Portland, New York (3/23/18) --Over 100 area growers gathered at SUNY Fredonia for the annual LERGP winter grape growers’ conference.Attendees and speakers had to brave some unseasonable early morning snowfall.Motivated by the content of the conference, some attendees arrived late but the weather did not dissuade travelers.Researchers, Extension and Industry gathered to share information, network and provide education to interested growers.SUNY Fredonia is ideally located near the middle of the growing region and the facilities allow for educational presentations, a tradeshow and wonderful networking opportunities.

This year featured speakers from NYS DEC, Cornell University, Penn State University, NYS IPM Program and BCA Ag Technologies.Growers left the conference better prepared to face the challenges of a dynamic industry facing new regulatory hurdles, tax reform, low commodity prices and new pests.

The day began with Dr. Terry Bates illustrating the benefits of crop load balance, right-sizing yield to the strength of a vine.He helped growers to understand that their vines need to be balanced in order to ripen a crop and continue to get the most from their vines year after year.He explained that by using sensor technology that is readily available through the LERGP program, the growers can get a more accurate view of what is going on in their vineyard.This information can then direct the growers to manage their vineyards in ways that lead to more balanced vines.

Managing for balanced crop loads requires an accurate estimation of yield.Dr. Golanz Badr introduced growers to new research designed to better predict final berry weight.Using historical weather data Dr. Badr is attempting to create predictive tools that use weather data to increase the accuracy of estimated berry weight in mid-summer.The goal of the project is to allow growers to estimate final crop size with an error of less than 5%.A more accurate crop estimation allows growers to better manage low commodity prices.

The growers were encouraged to visit the trade show that was populated with many local vendors, including AgChoice Farm Credit, Farm Credit East, Arysta Life Science, Bayer Crop Science Division, BCA Ag Technologies, Clover Hill Sales, Double A Vineyards Inc, Farm Bureau, Farm Credit East, Gowan USA, Green Hoe Co. Inc, Innovative Ag, Lakeview Vineyard Equipment Inc., LandPro Equipment LLC, LaPorte Farm Equipment Inc., Larry Romance & Son Inc., Mark C Muir Crop Insurance Agency, Militello Farm Supply, Mosier-Maille Ag Consulting, NYS Wine Grape Growers, New York Wine & Grape Foundation, North East Fruit Growers Inc., Northwoods-Dillenburg Agency, Texas Refinery Corp, and USDA- Farm Service Agency.

LERGP hosts this conference every year as a way to connect research directly to growers.With a successful conference in 2018 we look forward to hosting again in 2019.The Lake Erie Regional Grape Program is a cooperative effort between Cornell and Penn State Universities; the participating Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations of Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara and Cattaraugus Counties in New York and Erie County in Pennsylvania; and participating industry partners National Grape Cooperative (Welch’s), Constellation Brands and Walkers Fruit Basket.The LERGP extension team provides research-based educational programming for commercial grape growers throughout the year at venues across the Lake Erie grape belt.

Last updated July 26, 2019