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WYNBOER GUIDELINES FOR MARCH 2000
1. VINEYARD PROGRAMME
Monitoring ripeness
Regularly take bunch or berry samples to monitor the ripening process of each vineyard so that the optimum degree of ripeness and the harvest programme may be planned accordingly. The optimum degree of ripeness is determined, inter alia, by factors such as desired wine style, physiological ripeness of the grapes and grape analyses, etc.
Disease and pest control
- Keep IPW records up to date.
- Dusting/spraying of late cultivars can only take place if the safety period allows for it.
- Disease control in young vines should not be neglected.
- A post-harvest spraying programme is very important where vines are infested with late oidium and/or downy mildew. Healthy foliage is essential for optimal accumulation of reserves.
- Post-harvest is the best time to control nematodes in older vineyards.
Irrigation
- Irrigation immediately before the harvest can be as detrimental to grape and wine quality as moisture deficiency. Although an attempt should be made to allow the grapes to ripen at a decreasing soil moisture level, at no stage should vines experience moisture stress.
- The post-harvest irrigation is very important for accumulation of reserves.
- A post-harvest irrigation is recommended to the full extent of the root depth.
- The post-harvest water requirement of a vine remains high and only diminishes when the climate becomes cooler.
Post-harvest fertilisation
- This fertilisation remains by far the most important for a vine. Fertilise according to the vigour of each block - excessively vigorous vines do not receive N-fertilisation.
- In intensive irrigation areas wait 3-4 weeks after the harvest before fertilising in order to prevent regrowth.
Weed control
- Spot spraying of perennial problem weeds (e.g. quick-grass) is required - be careful, however, not to spray on green sections of the vine.
- Where weeds are problematic, control is required to eliminate competition with the vine for post-harvest fertilisation.
Pruning of roots
- When soil compaction has to be alleviated in order to improve root development in the soil, use a wiggle plough in alternative rows directly after the harvest before the start of the next root growth cycle.
2. PLANNING
Short term
- Keep comprehensive records of each block e.g. production and crush reports, levels of vigour, irrigation quantities and schedules, occurrence of diseases and pests, problem areas, etc.
- Soil analyses of each block should be done every 3 to 5 years.
- Make sure to order fertilisers for post-harvest fertilisation, lime and/or phosphate and/or gypsum for soil preparation, as well as poles and wire for trellising in good time.
Long term
- Evaluation and planning of farming. Do a thorough analysis of each block's profitability and re-evaluate your long term planning for the farm.
- Cultivar planning - Ensure that planning is still in line with market requirements and make adjustments to your planting programme if required.
Financial
- If you intend to establish a vineyard, you may contact one of the agri-economists for an itemised breakdown of establishment cost and a breakeven analysis to evaluate the profitability of various establishment options.
- If your financial year ends in February and you suspect your tax burden is going to be heavy, invest in productive capital for example poles, wire, irrigation equipment or fertiliser and not vehicles or implements.
- Finalise the record-keeping of the previous month's financial transactions and compare the actual expenditure with both the budgeted expenditure and the actual expenditure of the corresponding month of the previous year. If deviations occur, identify the reasons and take the necessary steps to rectify the situation and ensure that it does not occur again.
A more detailed version may be ordered from Gerda Kriel at (021) 807 3027.
Compiled by: VinPro (SA) Consultation Service
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