Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/668668
36 MAY 1, 2016 Good Fruit Grower www.goodfruit.com W ine grape growers look- ing to mechanize in Washington may want to eye cluster thinning, the most expensive chore in terms of labor. In Oregon, con- tracted manual harvesting tops the list. Those are among the preliminary conclusions of Dr. Dean McCorkle, a Texas A&M University economist examining the facets of wine grape growing that might be ripest for automation. McCorkle, an extension specialist with the university's Agriculture Economics Department in College Station, Texas, is leading a team of economists and Vineyard ExpEnsEs Grapes Project in early stages to help wine grape growers find ways to mechanize. by Ross Courtney $2,000 NPV Per acre $1,000 Cluster thinning Finish spur prune Cordon/ shoot thinning Irrigation management Move up catch wires Green thinning $5,000 NPV Per acre $4,000 $3,000 $2,000 $1,000 Contract manual harvest Disbudding Cluster thinning Sucker removal - manual Cane prune Move up catch wires Labor costs over 10 years LarGe vIneyarD: 250 aCreS In WaShInGTon SMaLL vIneyarD: 10 aCreS In oreGon Source: DeaN Mccorkle/TexaS a&M agrilife exTeNSioN SerVice $2,111 $1,317 $1,171 $976 $488 $449 $5,587 $3,725 $3,725 $3,104 $2,845 $2,235 engineers in a three-year project to find ways to mechanize wine grape vineyards. The first step, he figured, would be to calculate the cost of labor for differ- ent tasks and maybe give engineers an idea of where to target their innovation, identify the tasks that lend themselves to mechanization and determine technical requirements. "A lot of this is going to be some work the engineers do," McCorkle said in an interview with Good Fruit Grower. For example, cluster thinning in Washington costs an average of $238 per There are many good reasons for growers to use NU FILM ® NU FILM has been used as a spreader- sticker on apples and tree fruits for over 45 years. During this period, it has demonstrated one very important thing: Consistent & Reliable Performance NU FILM is the best value insurance you can buy to protect expensive pesticides and help them perform properly under various weather conditions. Since it is gentle to the crop, NU FILM has not caused russet or other problems. Others may say they have similar products, but put your trust in those company consultants that recommend NU FILM. They are watching out for your bottom line. For additional information or for the phone number of your local Miller representative, call: 800-233-2040 Miller Chemical & Fertilizer, LLC Hanover, PA 17331 ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL INSTRUCTIONS NU FILM SAFE FOR HONEY BEES