Sustainable Viticulture in New York Tim Martinson Senior Extension Associate in Viticulture Cornell University
The Finger Lakes Region Source: Ithaca Journal, January 19, 2007
Finger Lakes Riesling Has Arrived
Small Wineries 80 in Finger Lakes 10-20% growth per year in 90s 40,000 visitors/year $14.50 Average sales/customer Heron Hill
Not by chance! Viticulture Canopy Management Disease Management Enology Fermentation temperatures Yeast Strains
California West Coast Sustainable Viticulture Programs Central Coast Positive Points Lodi/Woodbridge California Code (statewide) Oregon LIVE program Washington Vinewise
Winter Injury - 2004
Downy Mildew
Downy Mildew
Black Rot
Crown Gall
Drought Stress
Nitrogen Deficiency Associated with waterlogged soils
Powdery Mildew
New York Grape Production Thousand Islands (Watertown) Lake Ontario Plain (Orleans, Monroe, Wayne) Champlain (Willsboro)
Sustainable Viticulture: What does the industry want? Profitable vineyards Low Environmental risk Safe, healthy workforce 3 E s Of Sustainability High quality products Recognition from neighbors, consumers
Sustainable Viticulture How do you know if you are practicing it? Define it Measure it -C. Ohmart, Lodi-Woodbridge Wine Commission
Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Program NY s Nonpoint Pollution control program State Soil and Water Cons. Committee Terminology Tier I: Basic Farm Data Tier II: Worksheet Assessment Tier III: Action Plan Tier IV: Implementation Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Keuka Lake Watershed Project 1996-1999 Peter Landre CCE Water Quality Specialist Soil and Water Cons. District
AEM Viticulture Worksheets 1997-1998 Site Characteristics Soil Erosion/Vineyard Floor Management Nutrient management Pest and Pesticide Management (30 questions) Action Plan (Tier III & IV)
NY AEM Worksheet Nutrient Management for Vineyards Vineyard Agricultural Environmental Management Worksheet POTENTIAL CONCERN LOWER HIGHER 1 2 3 4 NITROGEN (N) MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Timing of Nitrogen Application All nitrogen is applied during the period of maximum vine uptake (pre-bloom to fruit set) AND Split applications of nitrogen, with 1/3 to 1/2 applied prebloom and ½ to 2/3 applied postbloom are used All nitrogen is applied during the period of maximum vine uptake (pre-bloom to fruit set) AND Split applications not used Nitrogen applications made in early spring while vines are dormant. AND Nitrogen application not split. Nitrogen applications made in early spring while vines are dormant. AND Soils are coarsetextured
Long Island Sustainable Practices Workbook 2001-2002 Vineyard Management Pest Management Nutrient Management Soil Management Weed Management Pesticide Management Action Plan Alice Wise Long Island Grape Program (50 Questions)
Long Island Sustainable Viticulture Workbook 2002 Draft Nitrogen (N) Management Practices Desirable (1) Acceptable (2) Undesirable (3) YOUR RANK When is N fertilizer soilapplied in spring? N is applied at least one week after budbreak. Subsequent applications in spring and summer should be done following guidelines in this manual. N is applied between one week prior and one week after budbreak. N is applied >1 week prior to budbreak.
Sustainable Viticulture Project 2005-2008 Jamie Hawk Finger Lakes Tim Weigle Lake Erie Alice Wise Long Island Libby Tarleton Long Island
Program Elements New York Sustainable Practices Workbook Outreach Workbook completion Action Plans Sustainable Viticulture in the Northeast Newsletter
Industry Steering Committee National Grape Cooperative Centerra Wine (Constellation) New York State Winegrape Growers Long Island Technical Vineyard Group Finger Lakes wineries 3 Extension programs (LE, FL, LI) 2 State Soil and Water Conservation Specialists
The Workbook 8 Sections 140 Questions
The NY Sustainable Practices Workbook Nitrogen (N) Management Practices 1 2 3 4 YOUR RANK When is N fertilizer soil-applied in spring? N is applied during the period of maximum uptake bud break to fruit set. AND Split applications are used with 30-50% of the N applied pre-bloom and the remainder applied postbloom. All N is applied during the period of maximum uptake bud break to fruit set. AND Split applications are not used. N is applied up to 2 weeks prior to bud break when vines are still dormant. OR All N is applied in the period between fruit set and veraison. N is applied >2 weeks prior to bud break. There is little absorption of N by roots prior to bud break. The soil is cold and roots are inactive. Early vine growth depends almost entirely on N stored in the woody parts of the vine. It is unclear whether pre-bud break application of slower release organic fertilizers confers an advantage in terms of N availability to the vine.
What Practices Promoted? Vineyard Management Canopy management practices Yield management Nutrition Management Nutrient use efficiency Tissue and Soil Sampling Pest Management Scouting & economic thresholds Weather, variety-driven disease management programs Pesticide Management Mixing, loading & storage practices Worker Protection Standards
What Practices Promoted? Continued Soil Management Leaching & runoff potential Preplant site preparation Cover crops & organic matter Weed Management Post- vs. pre-emergent herbicides Integrated tillage/ weed management Irrigation Management System design & maintenance Water use efficiency Continuing Education
Grower Outreach Regional Community Educators Finger Lakes (Full-time) Lake Erie (50% FTE) Long Island (50% FTE) Complete Workbooks Individual Groups Develop Action Plans Address 3s and 4s Work with Soil and Water Cons. Specialists
Outcomes Early 2007 28 growers completed workbooks 1,500 Vineyard acres 60-80% of responses in 1 or 2 category 3 Action plans complete Completion qualifies growers for cost sharing with NRCS/SWCD
Cost Sharing NYS Agricultural Non-point Source Abatement and Control Grants Program EQIP Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Conservation Security Program
Pesticide Mixing and Loading Facilities
Diversion Ditch
Vineyard Mulching
Drainage Tile Design
Sustainable Viticulture Newsletter Environmental Impact Sustainability Concepts Best Management Practices Background/Science Management Issues Grower Sidebar
Nitrogen use Avoid blanket rates No more than 50 lb/acre maximum Adjust for soil organic matter content Adjust for cropping level, vine vigor Delay first application until after budburst Use split applications (especially on coarse soils)
Farm Level Impacts N Application Practices Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer Old Consensus Rate: 300 lb per acre New Consensus Rate: <150 lb per acre 100 acre farm = 7.5 Tons not applied ($2000-2500) 10K acres in Finger Lakes = 750T ($400,000)
Motivators Credit for what they have been doing Road map for doing it better Neighbor relations Access to technical assistance (cost-share) Regulatory issues Marketing the industry
Marketing the Program Many Audiences Major purchasers (WalMart/Sysco) Tasting Room consumers Neighbors (lakeshore, suburban, drinking water consumers) Regulators
Marketing the Program Program identity Education www.vinebalance.com Tasting room point of sale Establishing credibility? 3 rd Party Certification? Endorsements? Pledge? Green Labeling?
Immediate Benefits Benchmarks for vineyard managers Guidelines for improving quality Accessible way to incorporate research-based management practices Integrates IPM, nutrient management, soil conservation, viticulture into one framework www.vinebalance.com