Season 2022: Weather update, berry development and fungal disease management

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Jeff Franklin, from AAFC at KRDC, is bringing the weather update in terms of temperature after the heat wave. The last couple of days have been with an unusual heat wave, which can increase the vineyard growth rate and make some vineyard activities difficult. Even though the conditions have been warm, fungal disease management is something to keep in mind at all times.

Vineyard and Winery Labour Survey from WGNS and GGANS

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Dear industry,

The Wine Growers of Nova Scotia and the Grape Growers of Nova Scotia are working on a pilot project to identify and quantify the impact of labour issues on the grape and wine industries. Perennia is supporting them in implementing the project with funding support from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. 

The first component is an online survey.  We are asking all wineries and vineyards to please have only one representative from the business complete the survey.  It should take about 10 minutes.

If you can find that time in your busy schedules to complete by August 1, 2022 that would be very much appreciated. 

SURVEY LINK:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SR9ZW2L

Answers are completely confidential. Data shared at any time will be aggregate only.

The second component will be small focus groups that you will hear more about shortly.

Thank you so much for your attention to this important matter!

2022-2023 Nova Scotia Invasives & Other pests

Monday, July 25, 2022

Dr. Deb Moreau, Jess Barkes, and Deb Oxby from AAFC at Kentville, are providing us and update of Nova Scotia in commercial vineyards.

Where can I see it? Please, look at the following link to find more information 2022-2023 Nova Scotia Invasives & other pests or the following hyperlink https://www.perennia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/AAFC-Pest-Note-to-Growers_July2022.pdf

Moreover, if you want to see more AAFC publications, please check: https://www.perennia.ca/> Production Information> Grapes> PERENNIA PUBLICATION AND FACT SHEETS> AAFC UPDATES. There you’ll find articles provided by AAFC in 2022 and 2021.

Additionally, if you scroll until the bottom, you’ll find the tab AAFC BUD HARDINESS. There you’ll find all the reports from the seasons 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

Season 2022: Weather update, cluster growing, downy mildew pressure and Best Practices recording

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Jeff Franklin, from AAFC Kentville, is bringing the weather update in terms of temperature. The first half of the month already passed and brought an important amount of precipitation and heat units. Bloom already finished in most of the vineyards, but there can always be some places with exception. Earliest hybrids, always depending where in the province are located the vineyards, are almost have reached almost pepper-corn side berries. On the other hand, vinifera varieties, which are usually behind the hybrids, are at different stages depending on the variety and location.

Downy Mildew management tips

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

The last couple of weeks the vineyards have received an important amount of precipitation, have been exposed to high humidity levels and warm conditions, including through the night. These conditions are ideal for the proliferation of Downy Mildew through the vineyard, keeping in mind that some varieties will be more susceptible than others. Symptoms may appear within 4-6 days in favourable conditions (optimum temperature is 18 – 25⁰ Celsius). Therefore, it’s necessary to scout the vineyard frequently these days, ideally at least 3 times per week, and keep a fungicide rotation to avoid developing resistance.


Season 2022: Weather update, last part of bloom, tissue sampling and Best Practices

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Jeff Franklin, from AAFC Kentville, is bringing the weather update in terms of temperature. The last couple of weeks we have mentioned the important amount of rain accumulated and July is already welcoming us with some rain. Generally speaking, the hybrids, always depending where in the province are located the vineyards, are almost done with bloom, with only a couple of exceptions are finishing the process. On the other hand, vinifera varieties, which are usually behind the hybrids, are still in progress and the latest varieties are blooming these days.

Best Practices Session 3

Monday, July 4, 2022

In our previous session at the beginning of June, we tackled many activities for the following weeks, such as shoot thinning, spray applications, weed management, the first wire movement, etc. Since a couple of weeks ago bloom started in early hybrids and still work in progress in the latest vinifera varieties, at this phenological stage it’s the right time for tissue sampling for nutrient analysis. Other activities are coming as well, and it’s a good time for the Best Practices session 3!