Presenters at the Winetech Vinpro Information Days, which took place in six wine grape growing regions during May 2019, gave an overview of relevant wine industry issues, as well as future expectations.
Wine grape profitability is starting to recover after producers have been under tremendous financial pressure for more than a decade.
According to Vinpro agricultural economist Pierre-Andr̩ Rabie, low wine stock levels globally Рand locally due to a smaller wine grape harvest in 2018 and 2019 Рhave contributed to wine prices increasing in certain categories.
"We would like to urge our producers and all wine-related businesses to have a focused approach and increase efficiency throughout the entire value chain, to ensure that a sustainable income flows through to our primary wine grape producers."
The 2018/19 wine grape season was characterised by temperature fluctuations, which was said to contribute to a smaller crop. Dr Albert Strever of the Stellenbosch University illustrated this at the hand of weather station data in the Worcester and Breedekloof regions.
The pre-season was cooler than normal, but a heat-wave in October could have had a negative effect on the cell division stage of the developing berries, especially in early cultivars such as Chardonnay. Rainfall in March and higher relative humidity, along with lower temperatures also had a negative effect on sugar levels.
On the plus side, the cooler weather experienced in the post-harvest period can result in leaves falling later, which is beneficial for the building up of reserves. "It’s important to note, however, the vine’s phenology and climate is not the only factors that influence the crop. Irrigation and fertilisation management, soil types and many other factors also contribute to the size and quality of the harvest," said Strever.
The post-harvest period is also the time when producers sow cover crops, which increase the organic carbon levels in soils, improves water retention and aeration and reduces erosion of soils.
Ivan Jansen van Rensburg of Barenbrug provided feedback on trials done with new types of cover crop through the Gen Z Vineyard Project.
"Phacelia, Barpower (forage rye) and Moby (forage barley) are suggested as alternatives to the well-known triticale. Barpower is especially drought-resistant and produces high levels of biomass."
He suggested that producers sow cover crops on a rotation basis to eliminate the same problems occurring year on year, and emphasised the importance of using trusted seed suppliers to ensure good quality seeds that do not contain weeds.
Cover crops also serve to suppress weed growth, along with various other weed control strategies. Pieter le Roux of Villa Crop said the most prominent weeds are couch grass, rye grass and Conyza albida.
"It is important that the right herbicide is applied to soils before the seed could germinate, and once they are visible, don’t wait until the weeds are too big before applying herbicide."
According to Andrew Bennet from Bayer, glyphosate, one of the most established herbicides, has been proven to be a safe and effective way to control weeds and eventually have a positive effect on production.
Apart from weed control, wine grape producers also need to ward off and manage a range of vineyard pests and diseases, including phytoplasmas such as Aster Yellows.
Gert Pietersen from Pathsol shared findings of the Tropic Safe Project, a collaboration between various research bodies and organisations across the globe, including Winetech and Vinpro.
Through dedicated research, the industry is now able to identify and confirm vectors for these phytoplasmas, as well as alternative host plants, and can start working on an action plan to decrease or even eliminate these harmful parasites.
Just as important as all of these practices are to ensure healthy, productive vines, it is also important for wine grape producers to invest in their people through skills development and training.
According to Kachné Ross of Winetech’s learning and development division, an online Learner Management System (LMS) captures training at various levels of the wine industry and can provide a free tailor-made dashboard to producers of all the training interventions their employees participated in.
"Winetech funds and commissions research that is relevant to and will be to the benefit of the industry and our producers," said Lucinda Heyns of Winetech.
"We encourage wine grape producers and cellars to use the respective technology transfer channels such as information days, magazine articles, research reports and newsletters to equip themselves with knowledge and become inspired to innovate in their businesses."
The next series of Winetech Vinpro Information Days will be held in September.
