Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Jim Kamas, 830-990-4046, jim.kamas@ag.tamu.edu
FREDERICKSBURG – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present an Advanced Grape Grower Workshop June 19-20 at the Hill Country University Center, 2818 E. U.S. Highway 290, Fredericksburg.
The workshop will be from 1-5 p.m. June 19 and from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. June 20.
“This conference is designed to offer seasoned growers detailed information on a variety of topics critical to the operation of commercial vineyards in Texas,” said Jim Kamas, AgriLife Extension fruit specialist, Fredericksburg.
Texas wine grapes. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)
Kamas said as the Texas grape industry matures, managing vineyards efficiently and profitably becomes more complex.
“This conference will address topics ranging from disease control to advanced vineyard management techniques and optimizing fruit quality,” he said. “These topics will be presented by AgriLife Extension specialists uniquely qualified to address them.”
The cost for the two-day workshop is $150.
Register online at http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/productListingDetails/2307 or by phone at 979-845-2604. Seating is limited to 65 attendees, and there will be no same-day on-site registration, so attendees must register early to ensure a spot. Registration closes June 12.
Five Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units in integrated pest management will be available.
Topics and presenters for the first day will be:
— Controlling Fungal Diseases of Fruit and Foliage, Kamas.
— Sustainable Vineyard Floor Management, Dr. Justin Scheiner, AgriLife Extension specialist – viticulture, College Station.
— Managing Acidity in the Vineyard and Winery, Dr. Andrea Botezatu, AgriLife Extension specialist – enology, College Station.
— Nitrogen Fertilization: Materials, Rates and Timing, Dr. Larry Stein, AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Uvalde.
— Strategies in Frost Protection, Monte Nesbitt, AgriLife Extension program specialist – horticultural sciences, College Station.
The day will conclude with an evening meal at a local winery.
Topics and presenters for the second day will be:
— Mechanization of Vineyard Tasks, Scheiner.
— Post-Harvest Handling for Optimal Fruit Quality, Botezatu.
— Managing Grapevine Fungal Trunk Diseases, Dr. Dave Appel, Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant pathologist, College Station.
— Making Sense of the Glyphosate Controversy, Nesbitt.
— Dealing with Sodic Water and Soil, Stein.
— Virus Status of the Texas Grape Industry, Sheila McBride, AgriLife Extension specialist — plant pathology and microbiology, College Station.
— Variety Performance in Texas, grower panel.
— Integrated Canopy Management, Kamas.
Presentations will be followed by a final question-and-answer period and program wrap-up.
For more information, contact Laura Nelson at 830-990-4046 or l.nelson@tamu.edu.
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