Jennifer and Andrew discuss recent developments in the grape growing region, focusing on harvest updates, weather impacts, and new programs. Jennifer shared that harvest of some cultivars already being picked, and noted concerns about berry splitting in Concords due to heavy rain, which could lead to yield loss and disease issues. She welcomed Jessica Clippinger to the team and highlighted her recent article on managing late-season diseases. Andrew announced a new grant program from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture for fruit growers affected by spring frost damage. They also discussed the Concord Berry Curve and the effects of recent rainfall on berry maturity. The conversation included reminders about the Northeast Wine Grape Classifieds for buying and selling grapes and equipment, and the importance of inspecting vehicles for spotted lanternfly to prevent its spread. Jennifer and Andrew emphasized the need for safety during harvest season, especially on roads, and mentioned ongoing research related to spotted lanternfly management.

LERGP.com
https://lergp.cce.cornell.edu/contact_information.php

Jennifer, Andrew and Megan come together to talk about the upcoming sprayer technology demo day organized by the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program team. This day will feature presentations from experts in sprayer technology, including drone applications and autonomous spray units, as well as demonstrations of various equipment. Megan shared insights from her work on sprayer calibrations and water quality, emphasizing the importance of regular testing and maintenance for effective pesticide application. The team highlighted the educational value of the event, which will include classroom sessions, field demonstrations, and opportunities for growers to earn pesticide credits as well as lunch! They also mentioned other recent activities, such as grower meetings and upcoming travel plans, and encouraged listeners to register for the demo day.

LERGP.com
https://lergp.cce.cornell.edu/contact_information.php

This podcast episode featured Dr. Terry Bates presenting on high-resolution vineyard nutrition research that was originally planned for the American Society of Enology and Viticulture National Conference in Boise. Dr. Bates discussed the importance of understanding nutrient supply, uptake, and demand in vineyards, emphasizing the use of spatial data collection through sensors and tissue sampling to create variable rate fertilizer application maps. He explained the differences between collecting samples at bloom versus veraison, noting that veraison petiole samples showed better correlation with nutrient uptake patterns, though both approaches have value depending on management goals. The presentation covered their three-year variable rate fertilizer trial showing early signs of success in canopy reflectance differences between uniform and variable rate application zones. Dr. Bates also highlighted future research directions including vineyard automation and autonomous equipment development to reduce labor costs in grape production.

LERGP.com
https://lergp.cce.cornell.edu/contact_information.php