(ObserverToday) - Senior Research Associate Dr. Terry Bates from the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory in Portland is currently testing electronic yield monitors on mechanical grape harvesters to measure the yield variation within a vineyard block. A yield monitor uses sensors to approximate weight and GPS location in real-time. To calibrate sensor data, actual truck weights are compared to logged sensor data. “Yield maps” provide a visual representation of spatial yield patterns.

Yield differences across a vineyard can be caused by several factors such as differences in soil type and plant nutrient uptake, previous season crop stress, insect or disease pressure, or a cultural practice like pruning level.  The spatial vineyard maps are an excellent tool for growers to visualize differences and scout their vineyards to identify the cause of the variation.  From there, a vineyard manager can develop a variable rate management strategy to improve the production in weak areas and efficiently maintain production in stronger areas.