California Ag Network

Tag: Vineyard

  • Bringing Space Technology to Water Needs in California Vineyards

    Beltsville, Maryland, (December 18, 2017) – ARS scientists are saving water in California’s vineyards by using satellite data and computer models to better manage water resources.

    Bill Kustas and Martha Anderson are fine-tuning computer models at the ARS Hydrology and Remote Sensing Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, to help vineyard managers determine how much water to apply and when to apply it. The models tap into satellite data that measure land surface temperature providing information about soil and vine moisture levels and rates of water use or “evapotranspiration.”

    ARS hydrologist Bill Kustas measures grapevine canopy width at a California vineyard to help evaluate satellite data used in models of vine water use.

    Winemakers want grapes of uniform quality, and that can be a challenge with vineyards that have different soils and climatic conditions across thousands of acres. Even a single vineyard can have a variety of irrigation needs, according to Kustas, an ARS hydrologist.

    The ARS model uses satellite measurements of land surface temperature in a unique way by separating out the vine canopy from the soil surface temperatures. This gives the model greater precision and enables researchers to better evaluate vine stress, says Kustas.

    Known as precision agriculture, the approach is helping the E. & J. Gallo Winery cut water use by allowing the grower to identify specific vineyard areas that are under stress and need irrigation. Gallo owns and operates 25,000 acres of vineyards in California and contracts with grape producers operating another 200,000 acres. The results also will be shared with other vineyard operators, offering the potential to save water across more than a million acres of vineyards in California.

    With water supplies critical in California, the state’s nut and fruit orchard operators are also likely to benefit from these efforts, Kustas says.

    Over the next two years, the ARS researchers plan to develop a daily digital map of evapotranspiration in California’s Central Valley, which includes some of the world’s most productive agricultural lands, at a resolution that will give growers a firm grasp of conditions in specific areas within their fields.

    You can read more about this research in the December 2017 issue of AgResearch magazine.

    For more information contact Dennis O’Brien, ARS Office of Communications.

  • New Survey Highlights the Valuable Contributions of Winegrape Growers to Sonoma County

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (July 5, 2017) – A new survey of more than 295 winegrape growers in Sonoma County confirms that the local winegrape industry provides a number of valuable contributions to the community. As one of the largest employers, winegrape growers pay top wages to their workers and serve as generous philanthropists contributing to non-profit organizations and groups in every corner of Sonoma County.

    The survey results were released during the Sonoma County Winegrowers’ Annual Grower Seminar and Tradeshow held in Santa Rosa. The 295-plus respondents represented more than 82% of the total vineyard acreage in Sonoma County or some 47,975 acres planted to winegrapes. In addition, the respondents farm another 36,170 acres in diversified agriculture including vegetables, apples, row crops and dairy. The survey participants also own more than 53,000 additional acres that is either pasture land or open space.

    “These results are so impressive as they show the valuable contributions provided by our local winegrape farmers and their families,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers. She added, “We all know that our wines are recognized as some of the world’s best and we are global leaders in sustainability but it is the actions and efforts of our local winegrape growers each and every day which truly makes Sonoma County unique.”

    Among the survey’s findings:

    • Sonoma County grape growers employ 5,186 full-time workers
    • An additional 2,644 seasonal workers are employed by grape growers;
    • Vineyard employees in Sonoma County earn on average $16.34 per hour which is 60% above California’s current minimum wage of $10.50 per hour;
    • More than 29% of local winegrape growers offer housing to their employees providing more than 950 total bed units in Sonoma County;
    • More than 93% of the winegrape growers surveyed personally donate money to charitable causes on an annual basis and more than 74% of the winegrape farming businesses donate money to charitable causes;
    • Some 63% of those surveyed personally volunteer for community organizations that serve Sonoma County; and,
    • Local grape growers and their businesses contribute more than $26,959,000 annually to local charities through financial and in-kind contributions.

    “Santa Rosa Junior College could not fulfil our mission of providing a quality education for Sonoma County residents were it not for the support of our local grape growers!” said Frank Chong, President of Santa Rosa Junior College. He added, “The grape growers understand the power and importance of education. While Sonoma County Grape growers harvest world class grapes, SRJC harvests world class students thanks to their support for affordable quality higher education.”

    According to the survey, the top causes supported by Sonoma County’s winegrape growers either through financial contributions or volunteer services include education both general education issues and ag education (40.4%), healthcare (18.6%) and the environment (17.6%). Of those surveyed 29% of the winegrape growers serve as a board of director for an organization that supports Sonoma County residents. In fact, Sonoma County’s winegrape growers volunteer approximately 12,830 hours annually to local organizations and causes.

    “These survey results demonstrate what we have always known and that is Sonoma County has an amazing collection of farmers who have always been leaders in agriculture and the community,” said Kruse. She added, “Though local residents may not know a winegrape grower or work in the wine industry, they should know that the entire region benefits from a successful wine community and the efforts of Sonoma County winegrowers.”