Good Fruit Grower

November 2015

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26 NOVEMBER 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com H arvesters aren't the only vineyard implements going high-tech. A pre-pruner uses laser technology for more precise pruning to eliminate the need for follow-up hand prun- ing, and a leaf puller uses a sensor called a potentiom- eter that "feels" the canopy to automatically adjust tool pressure. Both new tools are from Pellenc, a leading French manufacturer specializing in grape equipment, but other companies are working on mechanizing vine- yard tasks like shoot thinning, fruit thinning, and canopy positioning. Pre-pruners of the past were set up like a box with saw blades cutting vertically and horizontally, leaving behind a square bush. Because of variability in height and width of cordons and pruner sway movement on the tractor, pre-pruners have traditionally required follow-up hand pruning. Pellenc's new precision pre-pruner uses ten laser eyes to guide top blades and spring-loaded skids to guide side blades, which results in closer cuts than in the past. Richard Hoff, director of viticulture for Mercer Canyons, Prosser, Washington, used the new precision pre-pruner last season. "The biggest difference was in the hand labor follow up," he said. "We were able to consistently cut spurs down to 1.5 inches long, and in some spots, we got spurs down to less than an inch." Follow-up hand pruning was only needed for the few Precision - Labeled for two (2) treatments: Additional protection for High-Density production - Rozol paraffi nized pellets are ideal for wet conditions - Perfect for use during snow melt-offs Voles gnaw on tree trunks and roots (girdling) causing disruption of the tree's fl ow of nutrients and water. OUTSTANDING VOLE CONTROL Learn More Protect Your Orchard Ph: 888-331-7900 • www.liphatech.com Meadow vole. High-Density Orchards Require Intensive Vole Management with

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