Hawkes Bay Winegrowers Booklet

Minimising spray applications
The average number of spray passes applied at Gimblett
Road across all varieties in 2008/09 was just 6.5 applications.
Some blocks, including Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc
and Cabernet Sauvignon received just 5 applications. The
maximum number of spray passes was 8, for one block of
Merlot and Syrah.
While this may not be typical of every season, every spray
application uses over 100 litres of fuel, so fewer passes
means less fuel consumption and lower costs, in addition to
the savings from using less spray products. The table below
calculates the savings at Gimblett Road in 2008/09 as a result
of using just 6.5 applications.
Impact of spray passes on fuel use
Annual spray apps Fuel used (l) cf Gimblett Rd
Gimblett Rd (avg 6.5) 686 -
8 applications 844 +23%
10 applications 1055 +54%
12 applications 1266 +85%
Tony highlights that careful pest and disease monitoring is
necessary, and an average as low as 2008/09 can’t be achieved
in all seasons. The long-term average is probably closer to 9
applications. In 08/09 he also did have some powdery mildew
in the canopy.
Tony also matches his water rates with canopy size. His
standard water rate is 250 litres/ha, apart from mealy bug
sprays (1000 l/ha) and late season soft botryticides. Lower
rates save fuel, as fewer re-filling trips are required.
Matching engine size to the task
Tony has 3 tractors at Gimblett Road, ranging from 75
horsepower, down to just 50 horsepower. The larger engines
are used for tasks such as mulching and trimming, while the
smaller engines are used for less demanding tasks such as
canopy spraying and weed spraying. By matching engine size
to task requirement saves fuel. Tony also takes advantage of
the economy pto settings in the two larger tractors, which
allows him to reduce engine rpm, thus saving fuel.
Fertigation
The soil type at Gimblett Road is Class 1 Omahu – a gravelly
soil with low water holding capacity and often low nitrogen
levels. Tony addresses this issue though an efficient drip
irrigation system with added fertigation unit. By applying
nutrients through the existing irrigation system, the additional
energy is minor compared to broadcast application using a
tractor or similar.
Bird protection
Unlike many other vineyards in Hawke’s Bay, Gimblett Road
does not use bird netting to protect the crop near harvest.
While this would not be practical in other vineyards, not having
nets saves a considerable amount of time, fuel and cost.
The estimated fuel savings from not applying nets at Gimblett
Road is estimated by Tony to be close to 100 litres per ha.
Other energy saving techniques
Tony uses the quad bike as a run-about vehicle around the
vineyard instead of using the ute. He has sheep in over winter
to control weeds, particularly fathen, which also saves him one
weedspray pass. Soil moisture is monitored and recorded
during the season for careful irrigation scheduling. All of these
factors help to reduce energy usage at Gimblett Road.
ENERGY SAVING OPTIONS FOR
THE FUTURE
Improving energy efficiency is an ongoing goal. Below are
some of the possible options Tony could consider to achieve
this.
Tony’s energy reduction ideas
• The number of vineyard utes has since been reduced
from two to one
• Replacing the use of helicopters for frost protection
with overhead sprinklers
Other possibilities
• Pursue the supply of bio-diesel locally
• Consider using sheep for leaf plucking
• Look at a 2-row weedsprayer
Take home messages
• Reduce spray passes where possible
• Match engine size/rpm to task
• Take a look at your own energy use figures and
compare these against Tony’s
For further information
MAF Viticulture Monitoring Figures: www.maf.govt.
nz/mafnet/rural-nz/statistics-and-forecasts/farmmonitoring/2009/horticulture/
Footnote disclaimer: This case study is based upon the best information
available at the time of writing and due care was exercised in its preparation.
AgFirst Consultants HB Ltd and all parties under the SFF project C08-025
disclaim any liability in respect of losses or damages arising out of the use of
this information or in respect of any actions taken in reliance upon the validity
of the information contained herein.
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This case study was written by Carla Emms, AgFirst, with funding from
MAF Sustainable Farming Fund and Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers
HAWKE’S BAY
WINEGROWERS INC.