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RECENT ARTICLES | WYNBOER HOME
Wynboer Tips for March
PLANNING / EVALUATION
- Order cover crop seed.
- Update records of each vineyard block, e.g. productions, grape analyses, vigour, irrigation schedules, etc.
- Soil analyses should be done every 3 years in each block.
- Evaluate the actual wine goal compared to the intended wine goal per block.
- Check whether cultivar planning is still in line with market demand.
VINEYARD PROGRAMME
Harvest
- Ripeness monitoring – take bunch and/or berry samples at least twice a week to monitor ripening process.
- Liaise with viticulturist and winemaker with regard to optimum ripeness and crush according to specific cellar norms and requirements.
Disease and pest control
- Ensure that IPW records are up to date.
- Post-harvest disease control only to retain healthy leaves for good accumulation of reserves (remember young vines).
- Post-harvest is the best time for nematode control.
Irrigation
- Pre-harvest - luxuriant water supply as well as water shortages are detrimental to quality. A decreasing soil water level during ripening is the ideal situation.
- Post-harvest - supplement the soil profile to its full root depth and continue monitoring soil moisture.
Post-harvest fertilisation
- The most important application of fertiliser. Wait ± three to four weeks after the harvest.
- Nitrogen fertilisation (kgN/ha) depending on vigour.
- Liquid fertiliser to be given through the irrigation system; applications must be spread out over 4 - 6 weeks.
Soil management
Weed control:
- Spot spraying of perennial problem weeds.
- Where weeds are problematic, control after the harvest and before post-harvest fertilisation.
Pruning of roots:
- Only to alleviate soil compaction, directly after the harvest in alternative rows before applying post-harvest fertilisation and irrigation.
Cover crops:
- Start preparing seed beds at the end of the month.
FINANCIAL
Contact Gert van Wyk for information about:
- Viability, cost and profitability analyses.
- Presentations on the economics of wine grape cultivation, industry overview, etc.
- Budgets and financial planning in the light of production cost, establishment cost and other industry parameters.
- Participation in the production plan/study groups.
Compiled by: VinPro Consultation Service
For more information contact Annamarie van Onselen at (021) 807-3027.
Motto: Cutting edge advice for sustainable wine production
Value begins in the vineyard...
VinPro Consultation Service
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