Between the Vines

There are different ways to sample soils in vineyards. In agriculture, we are seeing a trend toward increasing the density of soil sampling. The team discusses strategies for maximizing the value of sample results and the different methods for increasing the number of samples taken. This discussion is the beginning of a series in a primer for vineyard nutritional management. Over the next 8 weeks,...

Lake Erie Regional Grape Program (LERGP) discusses the hybrid conference format. We are bringing you more content than ever before, at least that’s the plan. It kicks off with a virtual event in just two weeks. The new year brings new labor regulations as well. Kevin Martin, Business Management specialist, discusses what we don’t know and what we do know. Registration for the Winter Grape Grower C...

Lake Erie Regional Grape Program (LERGP) invites Dr. Bates to discuss ongoing and upcoming research at the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory (CLEREL) and Cornell University. We jump right into the “why” and “how” growers will benefit from these developments. Sure, nutrient prices are going crazy, but more research updates show how it is not just nutrients. Current research at CLE...

Lake Erie Regional Grape Program (LERGP) invites Dr. Bates to discuss ongoing and upcoming research at the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory (CLEREL) and Cornell University. We jump right into the “why” and “how” growers will benefit from these developments. Dr. Bates uses video tools to illustrate his points, so to get the full picture visit https://lergp.com/podcasts and select...

LERGP discusses the unique challenges for 2022.  We focus on the top viticulture, business management, and disease management challenges because of 2021 field conditions. Effects of NY Overtime Laws on Agricultural Production Costs and Competitiveness LERGP.com https://lergp.cce.cornell.edu/contact_information.php

Lake Erie Regional Grape Program (LERGP) business management educator and Between the Vines host, Kevin Martin discusses trends in wine grape prices. The team also gets into the characteristics of supply and demand for wine grapes as well as the mid-term outlook. Data indicated a high discrepancy between low and high prices. Individual growers are adding value to a product that is looking more and...

Kevin and Andy discuss the results of the past season and what the upcoming dormant period looks like for growers. Kevin Martin - host Andy Muza - host LERGP.com https://lergp.cce.cornell.edu/contact_information.php

The harvest is turning into a late one as it extends beyond four weeks and into a fifth or even sixth week for Concords. While brix accumulation slows to a snail’s pace; it seems dehydration and shelling are highly variable. Despite challenges and less than optimal results, overall regional harvesters are reporting potential success. The next ten days or so will impact the level of that success si...

The team discusses grower questions including upcoming events and crop load. Kevin Martin (host) Jennifer Phillips Russo (host) Andy  Muza (host) LERGP.com https://lergp.cce.cornell.edu/contact_information.php

The team discusses Brix accumulation continues with rainfall finally decreasing in frequency. Also, growers are reporting unusually high variance in yield and Brix. It appears crop loads vary more this year from site to site than other years. Currently, this is presenting some logistical challenges, but it is possible that an extended October will allow most or all of the crop to accumulate Brix t...

Things just got a little more exciting in the tractor world.  As growers appear to have begun a successful harvest season we turn, albeit a little early, to the tractor buying season.  However, we’ve got a bit of breaking news and some information on how long these delays will continue. Tune in to find out and we’ll also let you know what we are seeing in vineyards.   Kevin Martin (host) Andy Muza...

LERGP invites guest Dr. Cain Hickey to share his perspective on the 2021 Pennsylvania vintage. Dr. Hickey’s statewide perspective on grape production in Pennsylvania includes successes and challenges of microclimates around the state that are much different from the experiences we have had in the Lake Erie Region this year. Kevin Martin (co-host) Andy Muza (co-host) Dr. Hickey (guest) LERGP.com ht...

Jennifer introduces Dr. Terry Bates as her guest for this podcast. Terry is the director of the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory in Portland, NY, and the PI of the Efficient Vineyard SCRI project. They discuss the new myEV tool available to growers. This is an open-source platform that can be used to create maps of a user’s vineyards/farms, collect spatial data, view variability...

The team has information on the current state of the Concord canopy.  If you see black leaf this time of year, make a note.  While it’s too late to act, it’s essential that your fertilizer inputs go into motion next year.  Also, if you see it, make sure you take petiole samples.  Once you see something, measure something.  We’ve also got information on recent trends in potash and labor. Andy is ba...

We know inflation is bad news for grape growers most of the time. We’ve got more scary headline inflation numbers in August. These numbers need some context before making any changes in business plans. So, if inflation has you worried take a listen for some perspective on what makes these events unique and less worrisome, for now. Also, vines are maturing nicely as mostly healthy canopies are slow...

Everyone is still excited about veraison. The wet July delayed this key benchmark in phenology development by 3.5 days. Bloom was 7 days early so we are still in okay shape for some higher quality crops. More grape price data is in; this week the team discusses price trends in other varieties. This benchmark phenology helps plan and schedule harvest.   LERGP.com https://lergp.cce.cornell.edu/conta...

Today the team gives an update on veraison. This benchmark phenology helps plan and schedule harvest. August 15th is price announcement day in New York State for grapes. We have most prices on Concords and other grapes.  Kevin Martin (co-host) Jennifer Phillips Russo (co-host) Andy Muza (co-host) LERGP.com https://lergp.cce.cornell.edu/contact_information.php

This week the team talks about color changes in the vineyard, price announcements in New York next week, and answers grower questions on bulk harvest. Kevin Martin (co-host) Jennifer Phillips Russo (co-host) LERGP.com https://lergp.cce.cornell.edu/contact_information.php

It is planting time in the Lake Erie Region. In our region August usually brings ample rainfall and competition for water is reduced. A rainy July moved some planting dates up a couple of weeks. The team discusses why cover cropping is gaining steam and how to get started safely in a perennial system.   Kevin Martin (co-host) Jennifer Phillips Russo (co-host)  LERGP.com https://lergp.cce.cornell.e...

High crop load management requires all the tools in the toolbox. Join us for a discussion about these tools. We talk past, present, and future with regional growers, Dr. Terry Bates and Bryan Hed. Risk management will be easier with veraison forecasted for August 15th but some unusual crop loads do require special consideration.   Kevin Martin (co-host) Jennifer Phillips Russo (co-host) Andrew Muz...

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

With labor in short supply Special Guest Dr. R. Stup, a workforce development specialist, discusses strategies for improving access to labor. With labor costs increasing growers need multiple tools to solve the problem. Growers will likely need to implement multiple strategies to cope with the tight labor markets.   Kevin Martin (co-host) Jennifer Phillips Russo (co-host) Dr. Richard Stup (Guest)...

Special Guest Dr. T Bates discusses crop estimation results and the factors that influence a decision to thin a crop. Factors include the bloom date, precipitation, growing degree days and the market.  Some factors are more important than others but in vineyards that did not suffer hail or freeze damage, over-cropping is a concern in 2021.  LERGP.com https://lergp.cce.cornell.edu/contact_informati...

The team discusses calendar and degree-day timing. In the Lake Erie region, it is time to scout and spray for Grape Berry Moth.  Crop Estimation timing is just one week away. Local weather stations tracking growing degree days for GBM control vary by 10 days.    Kevin Martin (co-host) Jennifer Phillips Russo (co-host) Andy Muza (co-host) Lead Image: Credit Kim Knappenberger LERGP.com https://lergp...

Dr. Terry Bates joins LERGP as a special guest for a virtual coffee pot.  Terry covers best practices and future research in vineyard nutrition.  Success in Lake Erie Concord production requires pH modification along with balancing magnesium and potassium demands. Kevin Martin (co-host) Jennifer Phillips Russo (co-host) Andy Muza (co-host) Dr. Terry Bates (guest) LERGP.com https://lergp.cce.cornel...