The New Grape Trellis - How To Better Estimate Grape Yields!
The Agricultural Research Service has been involved in a study to predict with more accuracy grape yields estimates. So why is this important? Well, if growers and processors can be more accurate in their initial predictions, they will have the capability to fine tune the pruning, watering, picking or the juice-making or wine making operations in their vineyard. By having more and better control over these operations, they can control costs and increase the production and quality of their grapes.
At this time, the opposite is true. By not having the capability of accurately estimating grape yields, the growers and processors must rely on traditional labor-intensive methods for their estimations. The estimates are based on counting the number of grape clusters on sample "sentinel" vines. This is then followed by having to count and weigh individual berries. The time table for this procedure is 60 days after the vines flower and then again 85 days after bloom.
In order to come up with the estimates, the averages are compared to past seasons. The current season's estimates are then derived from those figures. The drawback to this method is there are only the two samplings taken so there is no additional information for what is happening between the two samples.
The traditional method also is very time-consuming generating incorrect figures which can prove to be very costly and, at times, financially devastating. For instance, the price for a new American oak barrel may be about $300, for a new French oak barrel the price may be around $600 to $800. Looking at the prices of the barrels and over-estimating can cause a financial loss of great and long-term consequences for the growers and processors.
But, by having the new grape trellis, how to make more accurate predictions allows the growers and processors to efficiently and effectively run their operations with the potential of considerable savings. The information is garnered on a continuous basis and provides not only more useful data for the growers, but eliminates much of the guesswork presently being done in the vineyard.
The monitoring system used by the Agricultural Research Service detects increase in the tension of the trellis wire. The monitoring device is called a "load cell". The influences which could cause changes in the wire tension such as birds deciding to perch on the wire, wind gusts, and the temperature fluctuations which could also cause fluctuation in the wire tension were factored out of the averages.
As new technology continues to develop and more accurate estimations made for grape yields, there will be better quality crops and lower production costs making this a win-win for not only the growers and processors, but also for consumers.
Treesa has been writing articles online for the past several years. Not only does this author specialize in gardening and landscaping information, you can also check out her latest website at Mens Diamond Wedding Bands which provides information on Mens Tungsten Wedding Bands for the bridegroom.
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