Contents of the November Issue: Expos are Back and In Person Expos in Cloverdale, Turlock and Fresno Burying Vines in the Sand, Not Their Heads Brooke Robertson Creates Innovative Mini-head Trained System RBA Makes MOU Offer for 2021-22 Raisin Crop More to Learn at the Grape, Nut, & Tree Fruit Expo The American Grapevine Grape Industry News Briefs California Florida …

A local infestation of the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) has been detected in a residential area of Vacaville in Solano County. The pest is primarily a threat to grapevines because it can spread a fatal bacterium that causes Pierce’s disease (PD); however, the pest and disease can also impact susceptible types of citrus crops. Five adult GWSS were found Oct. 1 …

Smoke taint has dominated the worries of the California wine industry recent years.  With unsettled climate conditions and continued droughts, there is no reason to think that smoke taint will not continue to be a significant concern for the foreseeable future.  In 2017 and 2020, California growers and wineries both had to scramble to adapt as they found that existing …

To appreciate why it’s so important to remove grow tubes in the fall, we first have to understand the original function of grow tubes. Grow tubes are designed to absorb heat from sunlight, creating a warmer-than-ambient environment inside the tube during daylight hours. Originally called “tree shelters,” grow tubes have been used since around 1979. They originated from a shade …

This is our last statewide grape scouting report for the season. This year has been a good year for wine, juice and table grape production. We wish the processors and winemakers successful production. Stay tuned for our conference programs this winter. Statewide, sugar levels have been increasing at or ahead of the recent average dates. In southern Michigan, acid levels …

After grape harvest ends, there are a handful of key tasks grape growers can do to get the vineyard and equipment into shape before winter. With the exception of equipment cleaning, the rest of these tasks are on an “as needed” basis and will not be necessary for all growers. These include one final fungicide spray if needed, fall weed …

Niagara juice grape harvest is underway in southwest Michigan. Statewide, sugar levels have been increasing at or ahead of the recent average dates. In southern Michigan, acid levels have been slow to come down for many grape varieties. This has resulted in some early ripening varieties measuring very high sugar levels before the acid levels indicate they are ready for …

Statewide (with Tim Martinson, Senior Extension Association, Cornell Agritech) Cornell University — From 9/7 to our sample date of 9/13, maximum daily temperatures at Geneva ranged between 78-81 °F, with nighttime lows in the low to mid 50s. Two rainy days (9/8 and 9/9) dropped 0.8 in of rain. The rest of the week was overcast to sunny. In other words, it …

In southwest Michigan, harvest is continuing this week. Early hybrid wine grapes such as Marquette are being picked now. Harvest of some white vinifera varieties such as Sauvignon blanc is expected to begin by the end of the week. Crop adjustment work is finished and veraison in most of the varieties are completed in northwestern Michigan. (Pinot noir 10%0, Merlot …

Two recent press releases issued by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the arrival of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly (SLF; Lycorma deliatula) in Cuyahoga County, Ohio and the first detection of SLF in Indiana. The following statement was released yesterday from the Ohio Department of Agriculture: Spotted Lanternfly Found in Cuyahoga County ODA …