Jake Neustadt, Bedrock Director of Viticulture, and Casey Barton, Viticulturist, discuss the '24 growing season, soil health, wild animal encounters, vineyard challenges, and even Taco Bell menu items in a fun and informative check-in with Morgan and Chris.
Positive impact of beneficial rainfall on 2024 crop growth in California vineyards.
Utilization of innovative methods like non-till seeding and controlled grazing for vineyard adaptation to wet conditions.
Introduction of SAP flow analysis and Haney soil test for precise nutrient management and soil health improvement in vineyards.
Deep dives
Growth Season of 2024: Rainfall Impact on Crop Development
Second consecutive year of beneficial rainfall in California positively impacts crop growth during the 2024 growing season. Cluster counts and bloom progress in Contra Costa County and Sonoma indicate promising vine health. Despite past drought concerns, current conditions show exceptional vine growth and canopy development due to well-paced rain distribution.
Vineyard Management Strategies: Impact of Wet Years on Crop Care
Utilizing methods like non-till seeding and controlled grazing, vineyards adapt to wet conditions. Adjustments in cover crop seeding address increased volunteer plants and promote nitrogen capture for improved soil health. Enhanced diversity in cover crop blends enhances growth while balancing vineyard nutrient needs. Analysis of Bloom Pediole results and SAP flow analysis inform precision nutrition and irrigation strategies.
Challenges and Solutions: Addressing Logistical and Agricultural Issues
Management challenges in wet years include increased labor and vineyard maintenance due to vigorous growth and potential mildew risks. Strategies like selective fruit dropping, vineyard grazing, and soil moisture monitoring address labor-intensive tasks and promote crop quality. Balancing crop density and nutrient uptake ensures optimal vine health for resilient responses to potential drought cycles.
SAP Flow Analysis in Plant Nutrition
SAP flow analysis is a new technology that involves extracting liquid plant sap for analysis, providing more sensitive results, especially for trace elements. It helps determine nutrient translocation within plants, such as immobile elements like calcium and mobile ones like potassium. The analysis can detect deficiencies earlier than traditional methods and is crucial for better plant health and disease resistance.
Haney Soil Test for Soil Health
The Haney soil test is a cutting-edge method that uses organic acids to extract nutrients, providing a more realistic view of plant-available nutrients. It measures CO2 respiration to assess microbial biomass, analyzes organic matter, and nitrogen pools for a comprehensive view of soil health. By understanding soil microbial populations, farmers can promote better vine health and agricultural practices for sustainable farming.
Morgan and Chris check in with Bedrock Director of Viticulture Jake Neustadt and Viticulturist Casey Barton then take some questions from listeners. Topics include the ’24 growing season so far, soil health, frost and rain, wild animal encounters, whether or not the moon effects plant growth, most and least problematic vineyards, and, of course, the best Taco Bell menu items.
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