http://ucanr.edu/blogs/Raisinramblings/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed California Viticulture Information en-us UC ANR http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/ Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:12:57 PST Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:12:57 PST UC ANR Low temperatures experienced during the winter do not usually damage dormant grapevines in the San Joaquin Valley. However, succulent green shoots are much more sensitive to low temperatures, so spring frost damage is serious concern. Damage from spring frost can vary within and between vineyards. Some factors that determine the extent and severity of frost damage include vineyard location, stage of shoot growth, the minimum temperature reached, and the duration of time that the tissues are at...
]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:12:57 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9561&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9561 Grapes like DOVine, Selma Pete, Sweet Scarlet and Scarlet Royal likely would not exist were it not for ARS scientists’ expertise with a laboratory technique known as “embryo rescue.” The technology “allows us to use two seedless grape plants as parents for new, seedless offspring,” says grape breeder David W. Ramming with USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at Parlier, California. “Seedless” grapes actually have a small seed inside, “but...
]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:48:07 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9322&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9322 After 38 years, David Ramming has retired from the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-Parlier, California, where he bred grapes for California’s raisin and fresh market industries. Starting in 1975, he replaced John Weinberger who had just released ‘Fiesta’, the first grape developed to replace ‘Thompson Seedless’; the primary raisin grape for 100+ years. Since 1995, David has introduced four raisin grapes that helped make mechanized harvest a reality....
]]> Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:59:18 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9096&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9096 Combating USDA's Top-ranked Invasive Insect First detected in the United States a decade ago, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is now in at least 39 states, is wreaking havoc in homes and gardens, and is a major economic threat to vineyards, orchards, garden vegetables and row crops. It's no wonder the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ranks this pest as its top "invasive insect of interest." But help may be on the way: USDA scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS)...
]]> Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:04:38 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9047&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9047 At a recent meeting held at UC Davis titled “Current Issues in Vineyard Health”, a newly-discovered viral disease being expressed in California’s vineyards was discussed. Currently named ‘Red Blotch Disease’, its symptoms distinguish it from leafroll virus expression, as does its PCR fingerprint. Presently, the most complete information available on the disease can be found in a brochure developed by Jim Wolpert, Viticulture Extension Specialist, UC Davis and...
]]> Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:05:28 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8816&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8816 The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) Board announced Dr. Jim Wolpert, Viticulture Specialist, University of California-Davis, as ASEV's 2013 Merit Award recipient. Jim Wolpert is a native of Indiana. He received his bachelor of science from Purdue University in Horticulture in 1973. He took further training at Michigan State University, receiving a Master's degree in 1978 and a PhD in 1983. Both thesis projects involved research on production practices of 'Concord' grapes and...
]]> Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:18:49 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8472&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8472 SPECIAL OFFER-Vineyard Pest Identification and Monitoring Cards Stay on top of pest activity in your vineyard! Keep your vineyard healthy with this set of 50 sturdy, pocket-size laminated cards, now available in both English and Spanish. This is the perfect quick field references for identifying and monitoring vineyard diseases and pests for you and your crew. Each set covers 41 common insects and mites, 11 diseases, 23 beneficial insects, and a variety of other disorders, weeds, and...
]]> Fri, 07 Sep 2012 09:26:03 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8280&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8280 The last two years, San Joaquin Valley raisin growers experienced a high number of rolled raisin thefts. The majority of the thefts occurred near Biola and the area west of Selma. In past years the Sheriff’s Department has received reports of both bin and rolled raisin thefts. In 2011 thefts consisted primarily of rolled raisins taken from the fields, usually during the evening and late night hours. PREVENTION TIPS Place rolled raisin trays deeper in the vineyard away from main roads....
]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:29:22 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8220&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8220 Help name the newest grapes from the Cornell University Grape Breeding Program! It’s hard to come up with new winegrape names-they have to be unique, distinctive, and descriptive, look good on a wine bottle, and meet a variety of complicated legal specifications that you don't even want to think about. Even more important, you have to like the grape and its name- because we hope we’ll be seeing the varietal name on wine bottles in the near future! So the Cornell University...
]]> Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:27:45 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7896&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7896 The second annual Raisin and Wine Grape Mechanical Harvest Safety Training is set for July 18, 2012 at the C.P.D.E.S. Hall in Easton CA, located at 172 W. Jefferson Ave. Training will be provided in both English and Spanish. The free training for farm employees and supervisors will increase awareness and improve safety in the field during mechanical raisin and wine grape harvest. Trained participants are expected to pass the information on to the individuals they supervise. “This is an...
]]> Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:14:40 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7786&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7786 When an insect pierces the surface of a plant to feed, much of the action takes place in the plant's interior. A device called the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) is a critical tool for peering into the process. Now a new type of EPG developed by U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologists is giving scientists the clearest view yet of the wars waged between piercing-sucking insects and the plants they attack. The EPG was developed by Elaine Backus at the Agricultural Research...
]]> Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:51:11 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7688&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7688 Wine grape varieties from warm climate grape growing regions are being imported to California, and tested in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been estimated that fewer than ten different winegrape varieties account for up to 80% of varietal wines. The San Joaquin Valley (SJV), historically a major producer of winegrapes, has increased the acreage of these core varieties over the past two decades. However, many of the most popular wine grape varieties were selected from cool climate regions, and...
]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 12:00:39 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7550&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed mwfidelibus@ucanr.edu(Matthew W. Fidelibus) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7550 The Plant Identification Lab at Foundation Plant Services (FPS), UC Davis provides variety identification using DNA Fingerprinting technology for grape, and other crops. The service makes DNA-based grape variety identification available to the public on a fee-for-service basis. The grape variety identification service can be used by nursery managers, grape growers, wineries, breeders and other industry representatives. The identification process begins by extracting DNA from the client's...
]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 17:37:36 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7485&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7485 According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS),California raisin type grapes using the overhead trellis management system totaled 19,543 acres (bearing and non-bearing) during 2011. This amounted to 9.8 percent of the total raisin type grape acreage. Varieties ‘Fiesta’ and ‘DOVine’ had the highest percentage of acreage using the overhead trellis system, at 52.2 percent and 41.2 percent, respectively. However, ‘DOVine’ at 609 acres is...
]]> Wed, 09 May 2012 08:52:46 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7458&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7458 Total grape acreage for California in 2011 was 848,000 acres according to the California Grape Acreage Report, released April 17, 2012. Of the total grape acreage, 796,000 were bearing while 52,000 were non-bearing. The wine-type grape acreage is estimated at 543,000 acres. Of the total acres, 506,000 were bearing and 37,000 were non-bearing. Table-type grape acreage totaled 96,000 acres with 85,000 bearing and 11,000 non-bearing. Acreage of raisin-type grapes totaled 209,000 acres, of which...
]]> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:36:54 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7329&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7329 Current weather forecasts predict the San Joaquin Valley may experience alternating periods of cool and warm temperatures in the next few weeks. Such conditions may lead to the development of weather-related disorder known as “spring fever”. On vines with spring fever, basal leaves will become chlorotic, with green leaf-color fading first from the leaf margins, and then progressing inwards, towards primary and secondary veins (Figure 1 shows a variety of spring fever symptoms). Also, leaf...
]]> Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:54:58 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7244&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7244 The first in a series of seminars to help educate farm labor contractors, growers and supervisors about heat illness prevention regulations will be held on Thursday, April 5, in Easton. The training will be held at the C.P.D.E.S. Hall, located at 172 W. Jefferson Avenue, Eaton CA.  Attendees will be able to take what they learn back to their own operations, ultimately educating thousands of farm employees.   California employers are required to take these four steps to prevent heat...
]]> Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:44:21 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7155&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7155 A gene fusion research project led by a University of California, Davis, plant scientist delivers a one-two punch to Pierce's disease, a deadly threat to California’s world-renowned wine industry. The study is set for publication the week of Feb. 20 in the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “Many disease-causing microbes can evade one defensive action by a host plant, but we believe that most microbes would have difficulty overcoming a combination of two...
]]> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:24:47 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6878&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6878 UC IPM Announces 2012 Dates for Pesticide Safety Training Certification Program California state regulations and the Federal Worker Protection Standard require fieldworkers and pesticide handlers to receive pesticide safety training according to specific criteria. The trainings must be given in a language that the worker understands and must be done by certified trainers. Several opportunities exist to become certified to conduct these pesticide safety trainings, or to get a refresher if you...
]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:35:01 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6526&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6526 To date, the San Joaquin Valley has only received 1.57 inches of precipitation this season (July 1 2011-June 30 2012) with none in December. The last time the San Joaquin Valley had such poor December rainfall was in 1999 and 2000, receiving 0.03 and 0.07 inches, respectively. In both of the following springs, California grape growers observed severe delayed spring growth (DSG), the symptoms of which include irregular and poor bud-break and low shoot vigor. Entire vineyards were affected. Many...
]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2011 07:12:33 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6483&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen J. Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6483