Case studies help grape growers' energy efficiency

Case studies help grape growers be more energy efficient

Hawke’s Bay grape growers and wineries will be up with the very latest on energy efficiency in the vineyard when they receive the latest issue of the industry’s WINE Hawke’s Bay magazine this week.

Included with the membership magazine is a 14-page booklet containing results from seven case studies conducted as part of a Sustainable Farming Fund three year project looking at the impacts of a climate change on winegrowing in the region.

In what is believed to be a national first, the booklet entitled Energy Efficiency in the Vineyard, was prepared by the Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers’ Focus Research Group and profiles six local vineyards and what they are doing to reduce energy use and expenditure.

The case studies also present industry average figures, compare costs, present ‘take home messages’ and identify where growers can gain further information.

“A lot can be learnt from ‘looking over the fence’ and talking to other growers about what they are doing but with the demands of day to day vineyard management, this is often overlooked. Our aim was to collate this information and share it,” says Gus Struthers, Chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Focus Research Group.

“While the vineyards profiled are not necessarily the most energy efficient properties we have in Hawke’s Bay, they are practicing some methods and techniques that could be used by other growers to simply and cost effectively reduce energy use.”

Lyn Bevin, Executive Officer of Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc. believes the information is relevant nationally not just to local growers. “We are expecting big interest from other winegrowing regions because the lessons identified will help make savings for growers anywhere in the country.”

Four case studies concentrate on the specific topics of spraying, vigour control, irrigation management, and frost management. The remainder look at overall vineyard energy use and practices on three different vineyards, each with differing growth vigour levels.

As well as producing this booklet as part of its 2010 activities, the Focus Research Group is generating three more case studies that will look at energy reduction relating to a high vigour vineyard, best practice guidelines for establishing new vineyards, or replanting, and best practice guidelines for using sheep in vineyards.

A winter workshop is also scheduled for June 25 and will look at Eutypa management and the impact climate change is having.

The three year project is funded primarily by MAF’s Sustainable Farming Fund with further contributions from HBWG, The Hawke’s Bay Grape Growers’ Association, and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

Copies of the Energy Efficiency in the Vineyard booklet are available from Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc.

ENDS

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