Fruit & Vine 02 - January/February 2023

Out & About

At the Vineyard & Winery Show, the team visited the Ernest Doe & Sons stand to discuss the company's range of vineyard and orchard machinery. Pictured (l-r) are Angus Doe, KRM area sales manager David Wagstaff, and Ernest Doe

News: Industry moves, products and research you need to know about

National Fruit Show review: Find out who we met at the November show

Grower pro le: Giving the consumer "something a bit di erent" key for Su olk orchard

Machinery: Signi cant upgrades for popular narrow tractor line-up Event preview: Fruit & viticulture machinery feature for rst time at major dealer event

Machinery: UTV eet improves e ciency and protects the ground

Grower pro le: Hobbyist turned entrepreneur shares secret of boutique winery success

Grower pro le: Award-winning, world-class wines from a beautiful corner of Cornwall Variety spotlight - grapes: Exploring varieties for still and sparkling wines

Agronomy – vine: Cultural controls to reduce spring frost risks

Agronomy – fruit: Early season nutrition: Mitigating the impacts of extreme weather

Agronomy – fruit: Biological fungicide study suggests signi cant potential Technical advice: The latest tech in the ght against frost risk

Variety spotlight – apples: Stewarding heritage varieties

Professional services: Could putting your trust in vineyard management be right for you?

Machinery editor David Williams visited equipment manager Bruce Osborne to see Corvus UTVs at work. Turn to page 28

Fruit & Vine had a stand at the National Fruit Show in November, where the team enjoyed some great conversations with growers and clients. Find out more on page 12

Fruit & Vine's Will Taylor and Greg Goulding are pictured with Vinescapes ampelographer, Jonathan Rodwell, and head of marketing, Jo Cowderoy at the Vineyard & Winery Show

David Williams, pictured with Haynes Agricultural fruit and vineyard sales specialist Richard Smith, test-drove a pre-production New Holland T4.120 F ahead of their imminent arival in the UK. Read the full report on page 23

Dartford branch manger Richard Link

Deputy editor Sarah Kidby headed to Suffolk to interview fruit farm owner, Jeremy Linsell - read more on page 17

Marketing

Design

Production

100% electric 4x4

utility vehicle arrives in UK

Corvus has introduced a new electric 4x4 which it says is capable of successfully tackling the toughest working days thanks to its off-road capabilities

The engine is a 13kW AC induction 48V motor capable of hauling a payload capacity of 620kg and the EX4 has a towing capacity of 755kg in

low and 479kg in high. The cargo box is steel with a 300kg load capacity and there is more space for you and your gear with a front storage

Solicitor firm reappointed

as NFU panel rm for East Sussex and Kent

Warners Solicitors has announced that it has been reappointed as a legal panel rm by the NFU, the representative body for agriculture and horticulture in England and Wales

The law rm was reappointed following an extensive re-selection process to cover the counties of East Sussex and Kent.

Warners o ers all NFU farmer and grower members a discount on its usual legal fees. It also provides specialist services to members, including a Legal Health Check, which helps identify concerns or legal matters that may need to be addressed and a Contract Checking Service to help members understand the implications of any contract before they agree to it.

Michael McNally, partner at Warners (pictured), commented: “We are very pleased to have been reappointed as the NFU’s panel rm for Kent and East Sussex. Warners has always acted for a large number of farms and estates and greatly values its rural and agricultural work. The NFU connection has enabled us to extend further our work for the agricultural sector and to better serve the interests of farmers and growers.”

NFU South East regional director William White said: “The Warners team have worked very hard to build a strong relationship and pro le with our

boot and convenient under seat storage.

The Terrain EX4 achieves 25mph and can be driven on roads. It o ers high load capacity, low maintenance and high vehicle durability with the precision power needed for smooth or rough terrain, according to Corvus. There is a dual power selector for ‘Range’ and ‘Power’, which allows you to select electronically the right driving mode for the most demanding jobs. The 15kW lithium-ion battery on the EX4 is designed for quick and convenient charging.

All Terrain EX4 models are approved to EU T1a standards and equipped with automotive safety windshield glass, three-point belts, indicators, headlamps and brake lights, horn, mirrors and windshield wipers.

There are three versions of the Terrain EX4 with a cab and other accessories available. Boss O -road Vehicles Ltd has a dedicated UK commercial sales team and extensive dealer network to assist with the purchase of the vehicle.

Vineyard specialist launches a

new look

“I founded VineWorks 16 years ago, while studying Viticulture and Oenology at Plumpton College. I could see there was a need for viticulture services to support the growing number of vineyards

being established in the UK,” explained company founder, James Dodson.

Things evolved quickly and soon the small business James operated from his kitchen table

local sta teams and the NFU members they advise, and the feedback on their specialist advice has been really positive.”

with the help of fellow students grew into a company that employs over 60 experienced vineyard sta and o ering a full range of vineyard support from establishment and services to consultancy, retail and fruit brokering.

Chris Buckley, the company’s new business director, commented: “Since 2006, VineWorks has established over 300 vineyards, planted over 4.5 million vines, installed over 1 million posts and hand-harvested tens of thousands of tonnes of grapes. Our expertise comes from experience. It’s an impressive record that is worth shouting about.”

James continued: “After a recent partner buyout, I decided it was time to refresh our brand to better re ect our position as the UK’s viticulture rm. To be honest, I was tired of looking at the old cartoonish grapes and garish colours in our old logo. It didn’t represent the VineWorks we are today.”

The new logo is a strong graphic ‘V’ and ‘W’ inspired by aerial photos of vineyards from mapping software featured in VineWorks’ suitability reports. Straight lines re ect rows of vines.

Working with design specialist CookChick, VineWorks has launched an exciting new look for the brand

Look out for beautiful

British-grown

strawberries

this winter

British grown strawberries are well on their way to being a year-round crop thanks to some exciting developments in breeding and propagation methods, says Claire Taylor of Lincolnshire-based plant breeder Elsoms

After several years of trials, the company’s F1 hybrid strawberry variety Soraya is proving itself in commercial growing operations, producing high quality fruit throughout the winter, Claire reports.

“This winter is when Soraya is really going to be seen on supermarket shelves, and it’s a great achievement for consumers to be able to enjoy full- avoured British strawberries over Christmas and into the New Year.

“June and July are obviously the traditional times for conventional strawberries to be produced in the UK. The introduction of Everbearers has broadened this season out from March to autumn, but we’ve never really been able to grow them beyond this.

“It’s all changed now though. Soraya is potentially one of the most important developments in British strawberry growing for many years, as it allows production to be genuinely all year round.”

But if you think the downside of this will be bland fruit with a high price tag, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised, she stresses.

“Consumer testing has shown domestic winter-grown strawberries are much more preferable to UK tastes than most imported varieties. They’re sweet, bright red berries in the classic British strawberry style that we all love.

“Plus, growers tell us they are able to compete at very similar price points to imported varieties and the supermarkets love them, with many committing to stock them this winter.

“Don’t forget imported strawberries can come from over 2,000 miles away, so British wintergrown strawberries are better for the environment too, with reduced food miles contributing to a lower overall carbon footprint.

“This is even more the case when rainwater harvesting and renewable energy systems are factored in to the production process.”

Successful partnership

The development of Soraya is a great example of European collaboration, with Elsoms working closely with Holland’s strawberry breeding expert ABZ Seeds, Claire Taylor explains.

“It’s been a real partnership, and one where both parties have been able to bring something valuable to the table.

“Elsoms has a 30-year track record of success, and is regarded as a progressive plant breeder employing the latest genetic technologies and seed processing techniques.

“ABZ works exclusively with strawberries and

is absolutely passionate about them, so when we combined our knowledge and strengths, we knew we could achieve something really special.”

Soraya is the most exciting outcome of the partnership so far, she explains.

“The variety is a Fragaria x Ananassa cross, producing very sweet, avoursome and rm fruit which excels in a traditionally-timed production regime but when sown from July to August will produce fruit for harvest mid-October to the end of March.

“It’s also a high yielder, producing up to 1.75kg/plant with an average fruit size of 16–35g and a Brix of 8–11.

“One of its biggest advantages is its ability to really thrive under LED lights; but it also does really well in traditional production systems, so it’s a great all-rounder.”

This versatility represents a great business opportunity for British growers to seize more of the market currently lled by imports, she says.

“When you consider we import around 65,000t of strawberries every year, mainly outside the traditional strawberry production period, there is huge potential to grow domestic production out of season.”

Business opportunity for growers

Somerset producer John Downes has embraced the concept on a major scale, with his 18ha Global Berry business now supplying up to 12t of strawberries a week to retail multiples during the December to March period.

“Soraya is letting us compete at a price point similar to imported strawberries, and get high quality British-grown fruit into the main supermarkets during the winter when this has not been possible before.

“It’s a variety that has been proven to deliver both volume and quality consistently from December to March, with beautifully sweet, succulent fruit that everybody who tries them says are just as good as the best traditionallygrown summer strawberries.

“We use energy e cient LED lights November to March, extending our day length in the winter months to give the plants the required amount of light to keep the strawberries producing.

“We’re also introducing a 5MW biomass boiler for heat, so altogether I am con dent our carbon footprint of production will be well below that of strawberries imported from Egypt, Morocco and even Spain.”

Although the technology goes a long way to making winter production of strawberries viable, without the right variety it would be impossible, he points out.

“It’s not just that it is now possible to grow strawberries through the winter; it is doing so in the knowledge we will always have the yields we need and at the quality required to command the best price. Soraya is a genuine game changer for us.”

Robot claims to boost productivity by more than 20%

The Hugo RTTM autonomous mobile robot, designed for soft fruit farms, can help growers tackle labour challenges by improving productivity, reducing waste, boosting pro ts and worker wellbeing, according to Fox Robotics

Entrepreneur Henry Acevedo founded Fox Robotics Limited in his home in 2017, and has since gone on to develop an autonomous mobile robot speci cally for the horticulture sector.

The Hugo RTTM (Rough Terrain) has been designed for the outdoors and polytunnels to be used in all weather conditions, all year round, as a way to improve productivity and e ciency in the soft fruit sector. It transports empty trays to pickers, collects the picked produce and delivers it to any collection point (moving or stationary) whilst simultaneously collecting valuable telemetry and weight data.

Automating logistics means pickers can focus on the complex task of picking delicate fruit, meaning more fruit is picked each day, waste is reduced, pro ts are increased, and sta wellbeing improved. According to Fox Robotics, implementing the Hugo RTTM can help growers obtain over 20% increase in overall productivity, and reduces farm CO2 emissions.

Hugo RTTM is a collaborative robot that can work safety with humans and other robots. It uses existing infrastructure and can be easily integrated with current systems, Fox

FOX ROBOTICS focuses on improving and automating logistics tasks other robotics companies have overlooked in the horticulture industry. FOX ROBOTICS is currently concentrating on improving the efficiency of the UK's soft fruit farms and vineyards.

Hugo RTTM is a durable, efficient, battery-powered robot designed to reduce the reliability of seasonal labour. The outdoor logistics robot helps to automate several all-year-round tasks, from supporting the transportation of picked produce to carrying delicate seedlings and soil in narrow polytunnels. Automating these tasks will help to reduce overall costs and increases productivity.

Unit 4, Abbey Business Park, Monks Walk, Farnham GU9 8HT WWW.FOX-ROBOTICS.COM

Robotics explains.

Safety is a key priority for the company – the robot has two safety bumpers, and 360-degree access to emergency stops. Using AI, it is trained to recognise and di erentiate between humans, drivable paths and obstacles, and is easy to con gure and run, the company says.

The web interface software can be accessed from any device and is the primary way farm supervisors plan and monitor their operations. It allows growers to monitor the eet of robots, interact with the data they collect, create reports and make informed decisions. This data can be shared and integrated with other systems through APIs.

Fox Robotics has now relocated to Farnham, Surrey, to facilitate further growth. The ability to recreate a polytunnel with growing fruit and carry out tests in its own eld has been critical for progress.

Lutton Farms has also assisted Fox Robotics, by being their rst customer and providing the company with extensive real-life data and support to train the Hugo RTTM

Fox Robotics has also worked with other farms across the UK, including one of the UK’s most prominent strawberry growers.

Growers are

“well up to the challenge”

As the rst day of the 89th National Fruit Show got underway in early November, HRH the Countess of Wessex acknowledged the di culties facing the fruit industry – but said she believes growers are “well up to the challenge”.

Opening the show, she praised the outgoing National Fruit Show president Teresa Wickham and thanked her for all the years she put into the show, saying: “You’re so dedicated to farming and you’ve been such a trailblazer in so many ways”.

Her Royal Highness went on to say that it was in fact Teresa who had inspired her love of farming as she put her to work as a teenager picking raspberries

and apples. “I understand the back breaking labour that picking apples entails,” the Countess commented. “But we had many joyous days, months and years working [together] and it was that in fact that sealed my love of the countryside and farming.”

HRH the Countess is president of LEAF and the patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations and has made a signi cant contribution to the Addington Fund.

During the event, she toured the show, learnt about the industry from growers and retailers and observed a careers session delivered by the National Fruit Show education team.

Kirkland UK introduced the UK’s rst driverless sprayer at the show. The team explained the sprayer can save growers up to 80% on labour costs and a 1/3 saving on fuel when compared to a tractor. The sprayer mounted on the AgBot can be equipped with innovative technologies like wind control, variable rate application and chlorophyll sensors detecting foliage for optimal coverage. These sensors are also used to determine and record tree shapes and heights and calculate growing power of for instance apple and pear trees. Pictured (l-r) are Kirkland’s Scott Worsley, Dorian White, Ben Devine, Hollie Kamel, Tilly Shephard and Dave Allen

Opened by Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex in early November, this year’s National Fruit Show in Kent was well attended

Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex is pictured with National Fruit Show president Teresa Wickham and executive chair Sarah Calcutt during the o cial opening of the show

Marketing

Christine

Agronomist

Rob Saunders of agricultural and horticultural input advice and supply company Hutchinsons was one of the speakers at the National Fruit Show, discussing the bene ts of biochar and how it has the potential to take apple production to net zero

On the NP Seymour stand, Claire Seymour is pictured welcoming the Countess of Wessex. They spoke about how technology was developing and changing in the industry, whether it was machinery such as Fendt driverless tractors or changes in spraying by using products such as bene cial insects.

The Bio Applicator is a fully electric bene cial insect applicator designed and built by NP Seymour Ltd in conjunction with Bioline AgroSciences, who produce natural enemies (bene cial predatory insects and mites) for use in Integrated Crop Management (ICM) programmes. Great care has gone into developing an applicator which will not harm or impact the quality of the bene cial insects or mites being applied whilst also ensuring a robust construction.

Other machines on display included a Fischer variable width mower, a Clemens SB orchard mechanical weeder, a Perfect sweep, a BMV orchard pruning saw, an OCLL Q Wector 3

and Fendt 209V and 210F tractors

sprayer,

Orchard Cooling spoke to visitors about their fruit storage solutions. Pictured are Paul Kennett, electrical director Rob Burbridge and director Sean Macoy

At the show, Tuckwells showcased new fruit and vineyard machinery which boosts productivity and enhances safety and comfort. The popular 5G series Utility tractors range from 75–115hp, while the extra-powerful 6R Series is suited to especially demanding tasks, and available in engines ranging from 110–250hp. Pictured (l-r) are Tom Close, George Whelan, Tim Sillence and Andy Page, with Fruit & Vine’s Sam Wilson in the centre

Hortifeeds agronomist Mike Wainwright (left) is pictured with managing director Ben Dalton. At the show they were discussing the company’s specialist fruit fertilisers. Mike offers in-depth advice on how to help fruit crops withstand extreme weather conditions on page 47

David Barker and Neil Bunyan of Porous Pipe said they’d had a lot of interest from fruit growers in the soaker hose range, which provides gentle and precise watering

Agricare provided a selection of tasty treats to enjoy while marketing assistant Sarah Norris (left) and o ce manager Natalie Norris talked visitors through the company’s specialist products including pruning, planting, harvesting and irrigation products

NIAB knowledge exchange manager Scott Ra e is pictured with the company’s horticultural trials coordinator, Adrian Harris

Steve Masters and Becca Cooke of Agrii were on hand at the show, along with a team of horticultural agronomists who were offering growers advice

manager

Hyde (left) and account manager Beth Gibson of Plantex UK introduced the company's latest offering – the Frolight infrared frost protection system

Giving the consumer

“something a bit different”

is

key for

Growing specialist varieties that get consumers excited about the apple category, and working in harmony with nature, are central to the business direction of Braiseworth Orchards.

Deputy editor Sarah Kidby visited the Suffolk fruit farm

Suffolk orchard

Based in Eye, Braiseworth Orchards has been a fruit-growing site since before the Second World War. It was purchased in 2001 by current owner Jeremy Linsell, who had previously managed the farm and worked in the top fruit sector as a manager since the early 90s. In addition to

running the farm, he also has a technical role with World Wide Fruit Ltd which involves managing the technical side of varieties such as Jazz and Envy, advising growers on best practice and looking after the variety pipeline.

Unlike the chalky boulder clay soil that is more typical of the Su olk area, Braiseworth is blessed with a loamy soil type. Soil health is particularly critical for the farm as the hectarage means that planting new orchards on a new site is not an option. Some sites may be replanted four or ve times, creating challenges with apple replant. This antagonistic reaction between the remains of the roots from the previous tree and the new tree can take 30–40 years to disappear.

In order to help manage these challenges, incorporating new organic matter when planting a new orchard is vitally important, Jeremy explained. Braiseworth uses natural soil organisms to improve soil health where possible, including farmyard manure from the neighbouring pig and beef farms and composted household waste. All prunings also get reincorporated back into the soil and each new orchard is seeded with wild owers, which encourages predatory and pollinating insects as well as bene tting soil health. Jeremy believes in looking after pollinating and predatory insects for as long as possible – not just for a few weeks of the year when trees ower. While the farm works with local beekeepers for pollination, he noted the importance of encouraging a range of pollinators. There is a common public misconception that honeybees are the only pollinating insect, when in fact lots of other pollinators such as solitary bees are signi cantly more e ective.

Natural control

This focus on working with nature extends to the farm’s approach to pest and disease. Typical pests a ecting the orchard are the same as for any top fruit grower in the UK – and include apple scab, powdery mildew and red spider mite. A real success story for the farm is its complete natural control of red spider mite through managing predator numbers. Aphids are also controlled successfully through wild ower strips, again to encourage natural predators. The woolly apple aphid, for example, is a signi cant problem for UK apple growers. It hides itself in wool to prevent predators accessing it – hence the name. To

overcome this problem, Braiseworth sprays the trees with bittersalts, a natural product to wash the wool o the aphids, and encourages the predatory wasp, Aphelinus mali

The farm also continually monitors weather data through an Agrii weather station – alongside using pest and disease prediction models to enable them to target their control methods. Apple scab is one of the farm’s biggest problems and targeting control is particularly important in the early part of the season. Complex modelling around actual and forecast data is used to predict the likelihood of an infection.

Two of the farm’s biggest caterpillar pests are the codling moth and fruit-tree tortrix. Pheromone traps are used to trap pests and indicate the numbers that are active at that time, and a prediction model forecasts when the moths will be laying eggs. Where ag-chems are used, they target a speci c stage of the moth’s lifecycle.

Finally, varietal selection using plant breeding to produce varieties with natural resistance, is another prong in Braiseworth’s approach. Although not an organic farm, and with no plans to head in that direction, the farm’s use of ag-chems is declining each year and biological control methods are used where possible over traditional pesticides.

Steering away from commodity apples

Aiming to give consumers something a bit di erent, Braiseworth has steered away from planting commodity varieties. In 2005, it became one of the rst UK orchards to plant Jazz, which now makes up around 50% of the farm’s hectarage. Jeremy’s technical role at World Wide

Wild ower strips are used to encourage pollinators and natural predators, as well as improving soil health

Braiseworth uses re ective mulchers under the trees to re ect light back up into the trees to improve fruit quality and colour

Fruits sees him travel around the world tasting di erent apple varieties, and in his opinion not much comes close to Jazz in terms of eating quality.

“It’s a sweet, juicy apple with consistent eating quality, rm texture and good storability,” Jeremy explained. “We can o er consumers UK-grown Jazz from the end of October right through to July. Jazz has a global team working with Southern Hemisphere suppliers, so we can provide our customers with year-round supply.”

Other specialist varieties grown on the farm include:

Envy: Another important variety for Braiseworth, and the sister of Jazz, Envy has become a key variety in other parts of the world, particularly around the Paci c Rim. It is grown widely in New Zealand and other parts of Europe. “In terms of eating quality it’s fantastic, because it’s very sweet and rm – the apples are dense and heavy,” Jeremy noted. “The challenge in the UK is it tends to get a bit too big. It’s a big claim to fame for the farm as we are the most northern Envy grower on the planet.”

Daliclass: A real balance of sweet acidity, Braiseworth refer to this as the “marmite apple” –you either love it or hate it.

Kissabel: Braiseworth was the rst commercial Kissabel grower in the UK. It is a red eshed apple which has been the “holy grail of apple breeding” in the past 20 years, Jeremy said. “We’re trying to give our consumer something di erent. Our competition in the marketplace is not apples, it’s soft fruit, exotic fruits, berries etc. People eat all kinds of fruit, and we need to excite our consumer,” Jeremy explained.

Kissabel is a particular hit with children and

there’s even some circumstantial evidence to suggest possible health bene ts of red esh – but this is pending o cial medical evaluation. Jeremy looks after Kissabel in the UK for World Wide Fruit and works with the breeding programme in Europe. “This is a real direction for the top fruit category; I think red esh will become more and more available,” he commented.

The farm also has its own juice project under the label Blush. It’s produced by a local artisan company using waste Kissabel apples and sold in local farm shops. Braiseworth market this product themselves and a local holiday cottage company also includes it in its welcome packs. “Again, it’s about giving the consumer something di erent and getting them excited about the apple category,” Jeremy added.

Ladina: This is a new scab-resistant variety grown speci cally for M&S. Harvesting the rst crop this year, Jeremy said it has a modern texture and unique avour pro le – think peach Schnapps.

Pink Lady: Probably the most widely recognised apple brand in the world, UK growers have long wanted access to growing Pink Lady and this is a project Jeremy manages in his World Wide Fruit role. Braiseworth picked their rst Pink Lady apples in 2022 from 300 trial trees, and they are planting new trees this winter.

Su olk Pink: This variety has been grown for Waitrose for a number of years; it’s an early season apple picked in August.

Although it goes against its usual business direction, the farm also grows a tiny amount of Braeburn, mainly for pollination.

All the farm’s apples are stored on-site, packaged in Kent and supplied to M&S and Waitrose. They

Braiseworth Orchards

Location: Eye, Su olk

Size: 25ha, approx. 60,000 trees

Soil type: Loam

Varieties grown: Jazz, Envy, Daliclass, Kissabel, Ladina, Pink Lady and Su olk Pink

are marketed by World Wide Fruit, which is jointly owned by the Fruition producer organisation and Turners and Growers in New Zealand.

Climatic challenges

At the time of our visit at the end of October, the harvest was still underway. It begins with Su olk Pinks at the end of August and progresses through the di erent varieties – the Jazz harvest starts at the end of September/beginning of October; while Braeburn begins in mid-October – until

All Braiseworth’s apples are hand-picked by a loyal harvesting team that return year after year. With a focus on quality, workers are paid an hourly rate rather than piecework

Kissabel apples are a red- eshed apple that Jeremy predicts will become increasingly available in the future

The farm works with local beekeepers, but Jeremy stresses the importance of encouraging other pollinators too

The farm has an ageing eet of tractors that perform a

the nal varieties, Pink Lady and Envy, are picked in the last two weeks of October, concluding in mid-November.

Although heat and water were among the main challenges the farm faced in summer 2022, the hot weather resulted in some very high-quality fruit this harvest. “Taste-wise the UK crop this year should be really good, because the sun levels encouraged high sugar levels,” Jeremy noted.

Another advantage of the more modern varieties found at Braiseworth, is that they tend to be better adjusted to hotter climates than say Bramley or Cox. Jazz, for example, was bred in New Zealand where light levels are much more intense, therefore it was able to cope better with the extremes of heat we saw in the summer.

With weather extremes increasingly becoming the norm and water being critical for apple growing, Braiseworth has a reservoir to capture winter rainfall to meet its irrigation needs. There is an opportunity to extract water in extreme conditions, but generally the winter storage is su cient.

Winter tasks at Braiseworth

After harvest, the orchard is cleared up and tidied before the key planting time begins in November/ December – when the soil is still warm and some seasonal labour is still available. Winter through to the following summer is also a key marketing time; with the varieties grown at Braiseworth, fruit is sold from August through to the following July. Other winter tasks include grubbing and monitoring stored fruit. Although winter is traditionally pruning time, with the specialist varieties grown at Braiseworth, most pruning is done in the spring.

Into spring, the focus moves solely to growing the crop. Bud burst and owering times may vary by a week maximum depending on variety. Bud burst is primarily dictated by weather, which can in uence when trees wake up by as much as six weeks. Flowering can vary by as much as a month depending on the weather but is generally the second and third week of April.

Quality is a top priority

All apples are hand-picked, and the farm has a very loyal harvesting team that returns to them year after year. Rather than piecework – paying workers for what they pick – Braiseworth’s pickers are paid an hourly rate to focus on quality and a relationship of trust, rather than driving productivity, Jeremy explained. “I think it pays o because people want to come back year after year. We might not pick as fast as some people but we’re really lucky to have a great team.”

Looking to the future

With his World Wide Fruit hat on, Jeremy keeps a close eye on advances in robotic harvesting as well as his work on breeding programmes, looking at the apple varieties of the next 20 years. Whilst he believes technology is the future when it comes to harvesting, he feels the technology is not quite there yet. However, a couple of years ago he opted to purchase a new, mechanical assisted harvesting machine from Italian manufacturer Revo. It’s a halfway house between traditional picking and automation – sta are still present and using their skills to assess which apples should be picked, but apples are moved on a conveyor belt from the picker to the bin. “It was a big investment

for a farm of our scale but we very much think it’s the right way to go,” Jeremy said.

Most of the farm’s machinery is bought new, often owing to the lack of available second-hand machinery, particularly when it comes to new advancements like the Revo machine. Among its eet of six tractors, the main workhorse which does most of the spraying is changed every 3–5 years as they are heavily dependent on it; and there is also an ageing eet of tractors that continue to perform a function at harvesting. As the horsepower for pulling larger cultivation equipment is not available, they use contractors or work with neighbours to carry out soil preparation.

When it comes to the apple varieties of the future, in addition to red esh, Jeremy said the snack category will be important – including small apple varieties such as Rocket that are bought in a tube. Developing apples with a consistent, reliable eating quality that consumers will buy again and again, plus storability, are also key for the future of the sector.

Reducing pesticide use is another focus point, so breeding multiple disease resistance is an important part of current and future breeding programmes.

Braiseworth invested in a Revo mechanical assisted harvesting machine, which is a halfway house between automation and traditional picking

Braiseworth has its own reservoir to capture winter rainful to be used for irrigation

function at harvest time. Pictured is a David Brown 885

Significantupgrades

for popular narrow tractor line-up

New

New models with VisionView cabs were launched late last autumn at the Italian Eima and French Sima shows, although ROPs versions were available the year before. Now the new Cab versions are arriving and customer deliveries start soon. Five new models replace the previous four model line-up. There is a larger and more powerful engine –apart from in the base model, and a lower engine hood plus many other upgrades. The biggest change, as far as most operators will be concerned, is the new VisionView cab with a totally at oor which is available for all ve models. “The current T4 Speciality series has been extremely successful, with a range of power units and choice of speci cations that allows us to satisfy a

very large proportion of the specialist tractor market in our trading area,” explained Haynes Agricultural fruit and vineyard sales specialist, Richard Smith. “The new T4 Speciality series is a big step forward and we believe that owners and users will quickly appreciate the many improvements when the new Cab models arrive.”

Wide selection

Power is from a new FPT engine – 3.6 litres capacity replacing the previous 3.4-litre version for all models from the T4.90 upward. They all meet Stage 5 emissions regulations. The base T4.80 (76hp max) achieves this without using SCR (AdBlue), and the four more powerful models – the 87hp T4.90,

100hp T4.100, 111hp T4.110 and T4.120 with up to 120hp available, all have the New Holland Hi-ESCR 2 compact exhaust gas treatment system. The after-treatment components are squeezed neatly under the engine hood, and the standard exhaust outlet is beneath the tractor, ensuring the best possible forward view from the seat. Maximum torque is at 1,300rpm, down from 1,500rpm before.

The latest model boasts an engine hood 40mm lower, and a more spacious cab with a at oor and much larger windows providing excellent visibility. Parked beside the previous model (left) – advantages of the completely new cab and lower engine hood are obvious – even though the new tractor is pictured on temporary, larger tyres

Improved e ciency, increased performance and more operator comfort have all been promised by New Holland for the latest T4 Speciality F, N & V models. David Williams had an exclusive rst test-drive of the agship T4.120 F Cab variant

Holland’s latest T4 F, N and V Cab tractors arrive soon in the UK, providing an attractive option for those needing a narrow tractor with Cat 4 operator protection. Fruit & Vine took a pre-production machine for an exclusive test drive in a Kent orchard

Richard Smith (pictured) says that even though the previous T4 Speciality series has been extremely successful, the latest models are a big step forward and will be even more popular with users

The test tractor had a temporary mechanical suspension seat, but production models will have a Grammer pneumatic seat as standard. The CommandArc control panel is well laid out. A smaller joystick comes with the electronic hydraulics package and is very user-friendly

Richard said most UK customers specify SuperSteer, mainly for the tighter steering angle but also for the added advantage that axle-mounted implements pivot with the axle in the direction of steering – making it easier to enter tight rows.

Superb cab

The all-new VisionView cab borrows many recent upgrades from New Holland’s larger T7 HD and T8-series agricultural tractors. The T4 cabs have four pillars instead of six on the previous version, and they have a single-piece side window. There is considerably more space – partly due to a redesigned rear three-point linkage. Vertical assistor rams provide the lift e ort, so the top of the rear transmission housing is lower. This has allowed the rear of the cab to be further back. The cab front is slightly further forward so the overall di erence in length is signi cant. N and V variants have a revised mudguard pro le which allows the bottom of the side windows to be lower, increasing the glass area and improving the view to the sides.

“The N version used to share the narrower cab of the vineyard model, but the latest N model comes with the same wide cab as the wider F version,” commented Richard. “This makes it a great option for those who need a tractor narrower than the Fruit model, but who also want extra cab space.”

User-friendly controls

The controls and layout are new. Most controls are on the CommandArc side panel – and the user-friendly layout and appearance is like recently updated, larger T7- and T8-series models.

The previous front dashboard with mechanical dials is replaced by the Infoview 7-inch digital LCD display. The operator can choose what information is displayed on the terminal and change working settings using a twist and push selector knob on the side panel. The display is crystal clear and easy to read even when working in bright, sunny conditions.

Two engine speeds can be memorised and selected at the touch of two buttons adding convenience for eld tasks and especially headland turns.

Extremely quiet

The new cab is quieter than before – with an o cial rating of only 71db. Richard commented that an uno cial noise level check during an event comparing the new T4 with its competitors con rmed that the New Holland was the quietest. The Fruit & Vine test drive included an opportunity to operate the tractor at high speed on a concrete track and on uneven ground. The in-cab noise level is very low – the sound of the low-revving engine is never intrusive, and the transmission is quiet.

With Cat 4 protection operating, the cab pressure is 2.5 times the minimum recommended under EU guidance, ensuring a very high level of driver protection.

Manual air conditioning is standard in the new VisionView cabs, and the operator manually selects Cat 4 protection when it is needed. This diverts air ow through a carbon lter and pressurises the cab. When the system is operating the working time is monitored, and a dashboard display alerts the user when new lters should be tted.

Practical and convenient

As well as having a practical at oor, the new cabs come with extra storage, including drinks holders in front of the steering wheel. There are USB charging points too, suitable for mobile phones or tablets monitoring or controlling implements.

The cab also features a horizontal bar along the right side of the cab and plastic ball mounting points for additional displays or control terminals. Rubber grommet blocks front and rear allow tidy control cable routing for implements, without compromising the Cat 4 protection.

Transmission

The narrowest V (Vineyard) model is available with working widths from only 1,061mm when tted with a ROPS rather than a cab. The N (Narrow) models start from 1,229mm and the F (Fruit) version starts at 1,380mm. “In reality, especially for UK use when conditions are often soft and damp, customers specify slightly wider tyres for extra grip and otation,” explained Richard. “So, we often nd customers go down one tractor model width, then t the wider tyres and still achieve the overall working width they need.”

Axle choice

There is a choice of three axles –Standard, Terraglide suspension and SuperSteer. Vineyard models are available with the Standard or Terraglide suspension axles, but the N and Fruit variants o er the choice of all three. SuperSteer turns by angling the front wheels while also pivoting the front axle, achieving a total steering angle of 76 degrees and a tight 2.9m turning radius. Standard and Terraglide axles also o er excellent manoeuvrability with a turning radius of only 3.1m.

Inside, the cab is completely new, with a totally at oor. “Very few tractors in this class have a true totally at oor because of the need to keep the cab low which means it has to wrap over the transmission tunnel,” continued Richard. “The bene t of the at oor, apart from being easier to clean, is that the pedals can be positioned for comfortable operation, rather than being arranged either side of the transmission tunnel with a hump in-between.”

Excellent visibility

As well as larger side and rear windows, the windscreen is also bigger, with a top curved section that meets the cab roof, and a lower bottom edge made possible by the lower engine hood. This provides a superb panoramic forward view, from the front wheels to above the cab making it easy to watch for branches.

There are three lighting packages. The top option includes 12 LEDs. Front and rear LED road lights are standard.

Comfortable seats

The pre-production test tractor had a mechanical suspension seat. However, full production tractors will come with a higher speci cation Grammer pneumatic seat. The tractor also had the largest wheel option which is unlikely to be selected for orchard or vineyard work in the UK.

Precision farming

Isobus is a new option. “Many of the latest implements, including three-row spraying systems require Isobus, and having it installed on the tractor from new is tidier and easier than adding it using after-market terminals in the future,” commented Richard.

The new tractors can also be supplied from the factory guidanceready. “Although automatic steering improves precision and is easier for users, many of our customers would suggest that the most useful application is for variable-rate applications – particularly as growers move towards production regimes with reduced chemical use.”

Protection and comfort

Category 4 operator protection is an option, but Richard said all tractors ordered by Haynes will include the feature. “It’s got to be standard for machines working in fruit growing or vineyard environments,” he stressed. “We expect to receive these tractors back in part-exchange for new machines in future, and with Cat 4 protection they will be easier to re-sell and have much higher retained values as a result. It also means that tractors without Cat 4 protection are less likely to slip into the system if they are sold privately.”

Buyers have the choice of the standard Powershuttle and 32x16 DualCommand. An optional Creeper box provides 12 additional, low-speed forward gears. Both the Powershuttle and DualCommand give a 40kph maximum speed, whatever size wheels are tted.

Gears are manually selected using a side panel-mounted lever which doubles as a multi-function joystick. Drivers have the choice of using the conventional foot clutch when changing gear or operating the clutch using a button on the back of the gear stick. The clutch button was standard on tractors with the 32x16 transmission previously, but the new models have it standard on the 16x16 version too.

The driving direction is selected by the shuttle lever to the left of the steering wheel, or by a button on the joystick. Electronic control allows clutchless direction changes.

The Creeper box is selected by an electric switch on the dashboard, and it enables a minimum speed of just 170 metres/hour.

There are four mechanical ranges which are changed using the range lever situated on the right-hand side below the seat. The lever position keeps the cab oor clear, and avoids interfering with the driver's right foot. Once a range has been selected for a task then it is usually only changed again for travel at higher speeds back to the yard.

Hydraulics

The new tractors have two hydraulic pumps. A service pump provides 36 litres of ow for the brakes and steering. The main, second pump supplies the hydraulic front and rear linkages, as well as ow through the spools to power implements. The standard pump has a maximum ow of 64 litres/min, and the MegaFlow option supplies up to 80 litres/min. The 80 litres/min pump is also linked to a load-sensing rear linkage. This means that when working with demanding hydraulic driven implements there will always be enough ow to operate the rear linkage arms. The load-sensing system produces less heat and works at a lower pressure, reducing fuel use too. With the new hydraulic circuit, there is also an option to have the high output pump with standard mechanical spools.

Up to four pairs of mid-mount spools can be tted, with an open return. Two rear spools are standard and up to four can be tted. Control is mechanical, or electronic which allows the ow rate and timing for individual spools to be adjusted through the InfoView dashboard screen, or using manual controls adjacent to the spool switches. The electronic option with mid-mount spools also includes a second, smaller joystick, avoiding the need to select di erent spools manually using a hydraulic changeover valve.

PowerBeyond is another new option – available for systems with both pump capacities. “We are seeing customers using more complex implements which often include load-sensing. This avoids the issue of tractors not supplying the correct hydraulic ow rates as demand changes. PowerBeyond allows the tractor ow rate to be controlled by the implement so that it is always appropriate for the task, and this new feature will appeal to those using the latest equipment,” con rmed Richard.

Capable linkage

The rear linkage lifts 2,519kg, and the optional double-acting front linkage lifts 1,500kg. The electronic hydraulic option also includes electronic linkage control adding electronic draft control and load-sensing at the rear. The revised linkage design with assistor rams adds rear linkage suspension, for a smoother ride.

Hydraulic stabiliser arms are another new option – allowing the operator to prevent side-swing, or to o set the implement. This is a particular bene t for working on side-slopes.

Previous models had mudguardmounted hydraulic linkage control buttons, but new tractors speci ed with electronic hydraulic control also have external buttons for the rear spools and PTO.

PTO

Standard speeds are 540rpm and 540E, but an upgrade to 540/540E, 1,000rpm and groundspeed can be speci ed. Previously a standard dry clutch was tted, but extra control for sensitive implements is provided by a new, electronically engaged wet clutch with adjustable drive engagement. Faster take-up is ideal for ground-working

implements which need the drive fully engaged by the time they enter the ground, but gentler engagement is often recommended for machinery with pneumatic fans or large pumps.

The new tractors also o er automatic PTO engagement, dependent on the hydraulic arm position. The operator can set the drive to disengage as the implement lifts for each headland turn, and then to engage again when the implement is lowered. Where an optional front linkage is tted, this also comes with the same feature.

Maintenance

The fuel tank is easily accessed beside the cab steps, and the AdBlue tank just behind the front grille can be lled either by lifting the engine hood, or through a convenient ap. The engine oil level dipstick is on the right-hand side and can be accessed without removing or opening any covers.

The engine has a 600-hour service interval, and the Hi-eSCR 2 emissions control system is maintenance-free, apart from topping up the AdBlue.

Verdict

The T4.120 F test-drive clearly demonstrated the improved operator comfort thanks to the at oor VisionView cabs. New Holland has imported many recent improvements from its agship agricultural tractor series and adapted them to improve the working environment for T4 users too.

Cab space in the narrow tractor market sector is always at a premium, but the latest design makes the most of the room available. The view from the seat is exceptional, including to any rear-mounted implement or trailer due to the rear window being further back. The high seat position and relatively low mudguards ensure a clear view to the sides – a big advantage for those operating in tight spaces typical of vineyard, orchard or poly-tunnel environments. The test tractor with

The new 3.6-litre FPT engine develops maximum torque at lower engine revs than the previous power unit. The bonnet is 40mm lower, even though the complete Stage 5 emissions control unit is included within the engine space

SuperSteer combines a pivoting axle with angled wheels to steer, for exceptional manoeuvrability

the SuperSteer front axle lacked front axle suspension, but the ride was comfortable and will be even better for users of production machines with the correct pneumatic suspension seats tted.

The new tractors with VisionView cabs are available to order now, and demonstration machines will be with dealers during the next few weeks. For current New Holland users, or those operating other brands, the new T4series is well worth a look.

new cab and extra power

Fruit and viticulture machinery will

feature

for the rst time at event major dealer

The 63rd Doe Show will be held from 7–9th February. As usual, it will feature stands representing all the machinery and equipment franchises held by the network of 19 Ernest Doe and Ernest Doe Power depots which cater for customers across East Anglia and the South-East, and there will be exclusive special o ers available for orders placed during the event.

New layout

The layout this year is completely new. “After an online-only event in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions, and a more open but still restricted event last year, we are pleased to be planning the 2023 Doe Show to provide the best possible experience for our visitors,” stressed Ernest Doe sales director Graham Parker. “There will be more weather protection and covered stands will have extra heating. We will also have large numbers of tea and co ee pods around the site, with hot soup available too.”

New fruit and viticulture display

For those involved in fruit and vine growing, Europe’s biggest annual dealer event will provide the rst opportunity to see machinery from a newly-assembled list of quality franchises catering for this expanding market, and to meet the dealer’s experienced industry specialists.

As well as new, narrow fruit and vineyard models from the New Holland T4 and Case IH Quantum tractor ranges, the rst New Holland Braud grape harvester supplied new in the UK will be displayed. Featured

in Fruit & Vine's November/December issue, the machine was sold by Ernest Doe last autumn to an Essex-based vineyard and, as well as saving time and reducing the manual labour requirement, it also ensured grapes were delivered to the on-site wine makers in peak condition.

The list of new franchises continues to grow, but so far it includes: Ideal fruit and vineyard sprayers; Dondi, which manufactures inter-vine mechanical weeders, tine and disc cultivators, and low-disturbance subsoilers; and several others. Longestablished agricultural machinery suppliers Teagle and KRM also manufacture special narrow versions of selected products for orchard and vineyard work, and these will also be on show in the new display area.

Precision farming

An indoor tech-zone will feature the latest innovations in precision farming technology including GPS guidance, automatic machine control and telemetry – and manufacturer and dealer specialists will be on-hand explaining features, bene ts and capabilities.

Ground care displays

A new under-cover ground care zone which featured for the rst time last year will be replicated, but with even more working demonstrations. Stihl will attend with its tour bus and the Husqvarna Ceora robot mower will be in action. The new HR380 out-front rotary mower from Ransomes is expected to generate enquiries from large-scale and professional users, along with the Mean Green Evo and

Rival commercial, battery-powered ride-on mowers which operate for up to eight hours between charges.

Buy used on the day

The Doe Show is famous for a huge selection of clearance, ex-display, ex-hire, ex-demonstration and second-hand machinery on o er –all brought to Ulting from the dealer’s other depots and priced with extra discounts for the event. An online auction managed for the dealer by Che ns proved very successful for the 2021 and 2022 shows, but this year there will be no auction –everything is available to view and buy on the day.

Tools and workshop equipment

Workshop equipment, tools and farm sundries can be purchased at reduced prices during the three days of the show. Milwaukee Tools is a new franchise and a wide selection of tools will be available to buy at the event.

The country and farm clothing display also returns this year, including a huge selection of clearance items at signi cantly reduced prices.

Vintage in action

Vintage ploughing and cultivating demonstrations will feature as usual, including several Doe Triple-D tractors working only yards from where they were built.

Enjoyable event

“The Doe Show will provide a tting start to the celebrations marking 125 years of Ernest Doe & Sons trading,”

concluded Graham. “As well as featuring all the latest machinery, there will be displays marking the company’s history and its expansion from the early days to the present time.

“We know that those involved in the industry like to meet with our teams and agree deals, and the 2023 Doe Show will provide the ideal opportunity. Whether customers are looking for new or used agricultural, estate or construction machinery, it will be well worth attending this enjoyable event.”

Some of the ex-hire and used ground care machinery available

The new Case IH Quantum 120F will be on show

The annual Doe Show at Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd, Ulting, Essex depot will take place during early February, with a completely new look as the dealer celebrates 125 years. David Williams reports

The New Holland T4.120 F features a new engine,

Graham Parker is pictured with Ernest Doe & Sons marketing manager, Hayley Hill

UTV eet

improves efficiency

and protects the ground

The addition of a Corvus heavy-duty, load carrying UTV to a large Kent vineyard’s machinery eet proved so successful that within a short time two more were added, and further purchases are expected. David Williams saw the machines at work in November

Trading as Silverhand Estate, the vineyard at Luddesdown was planted in 2019. Privately owned, it operates with another vineyard nearby at Upper Bush, and both are part of a much larger enterprise which also includes vineyards elsewhere in the UK and in Provence, France.

Grapes from Luddesdown won’t be available for wine making for another two years, but other sites under the same ownership in the UK are already established producers supplying well-known labels to premium outlets including supermarkets.

Environmentally friendly production

Wines are made in a state-of-the-art winery at Luddesdown, and sparkling whites and rosé are a speciality in the UK although red wines are also produced. The wines are organic, and sustainable production is a priority. The Luddesdown Estate is within the North Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. “We use methods that are as environmentally friendly as possible,” explained equipment manager, Bruce Osborne. “We depend on a big eet of specialist machinery but use the latest kit to minimise the environmental impact of our activities.”

Sheep, geese and cattle strip-graze the vineyards to control grass and weeds and they

Three Corvus side-by-side UTVs, supplied by Kirkland UK, are relied on by the Silverhand Estate vineyard and farm teams. The grapes are organic and sustainable production is a priority, so sheep, cattle and geese strip-graze grass and weeds between the vines to keep growth in check rather than using machinery or chemical control

also provide natural manure. This saves using machinery to mow between the vines and reduces ground damage including compaction and rutting, especially when it is wet.

Between Luddesdown Estate and Upper Bush there are approximately 223ha of vines planted so far. More are planned and the new winery and bottling plant has been designed to cope with future increased production.

UTV versatility

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) have been used by the vineyard team since the rst vines were planted in 2019. “They were suitable for one person to move around the site and pulled trailers,” continued Bruce. “However, we often needed to carry passengers too, and although we have many tractors available they are all narrow vineyard models with small cabs and no passenger seat. We also have 4x4 pick-ups, but they are heavier and less suitable for frequent use in wet conditions o -road, so we started looking at side-by-side UTVs, capable of transporting two people plus a load in the rear cargo bed and towing a trailer carrying larger loads too.”

Reliable dealer

Several makes and models were considered including new Corvus machines supplied by Kirkland UK. “We already dealt with Kirkland and found the team a pleasure to work with,” Bruce explained. “They are so helpful, and several times after mentioning specialist machinery

requirements, they have called us a short time later saying they have found a solution. Our rst purchase was a Carraro Mach 4 tracked tractor for one of our other estates where the ability to work safely on steep slopes was needed. While we were considering various UTV options; we visited the Kirkland stand at a vineyard show, noticed the Corvus displayed and immediately liked it.”

Range of speci cations

The Corvus Terrain range includes models with petrol or diesel engines and there is also a batterypowered model which recently joined the line-up. Petrol (GX4) models come in a compact body size and have selectable 2/4wd. Diesel models are larger, with a longer wheelbase but are available with 2wd only (DX2), or with selectable 2wd and 4wd (DX4). Electric (EX4) models are the same size as the diesel machines and have selectable 2/4wd. Each type is available in a range of speci cations to include features such as part or full cabs.

The model selected for the vineyard was a diesel DX4 Cab, with an enclosed cab, full doors and a heater.

“We tried several other UTVs before seeing the Corvus, and although they all seemed quite good, none of them were the right t for our application. The Corvus looked right, the speci cations including load and towing capacities were suitable, and we knew we could rely on back-up from the Kirkland team. All our other machines are currently running on diesel, and we maintain a single fuel policy where possible as it avoids any risk of misfuelling by users less familiar with the machines,” stressed Bruce.

Vineyard and farm applications

The Corvus was used by the vineyard teams to transport equipment and personnel around the site, and it proved ideal for the farm team looking after the livestock. Two additional Corvus Terrain DX4 UTVs were ordered within a short time, to a similar speci cation but without cab doors or a heater.

“Since the vehicles arrived they have been used more and more. There is a lot of data gathering, checking the health of the vines and checking for damage and carrying out repairs. When the tractors are used there are often situations when additional people are needed, so the UTVs travel with the tractors to the location carrying people and equipment. We transport all sorts of loads in the rear cargo beds including grape bins during harvest which are a perfect t. There is plenty of space in the cab to carry smaller items too, including in three compartments beneath the seats which are a good size and give added protection from wind and rain,” Bruce continued.

The farm’s machines operate in the vineyards as well as in wild ower meadows and other environmentally sensitive conservation areas where the otation tyres minimise ground damage. One of the three machines is permanently designated to the livestock team and transports shepherds and their equipment. The main activities include erecting and repositioning electric fencing used to de ne grazing areas in the vineyards. A livestock trailer with cage sides and otation tyres is used to transport livestock between the sites and the Corvus pulls it easily. The shepherds’ machine is in almost constant use in all weathers, but the users prefer the convenience of open cab sides with no

doors, as they get in and out frequently.

Impressed users

Shepherd Connor Harrison is responsible for the 350 Romney Marsh and Jacob sheep, and he is impressed by the Corvus machines. “I’ve used other UTVs, but the Corvus performs much better in our situation. We have some steep side slopes and the chalk surface becomes slippery when it’s wet, but the Corvus holds its position and there is no problem getting it to where we need it. It steers well with the loaded sheep trailer behind too, although we are always careful to ensure speeds are appropriate for the ground conditions as the trailer is quite heavy.

“The ground clearance is good and it’s very agile on uneven ground.”

Connor also said that the Corvus is easy to look after. “Daily checks and routine maintenance are quickly completed, and it’s easy to get to the engine with the load bed raised. We operate in some very muddy conditions, but the open design makes it easy to see when mud builds up around the chassis and suspension and there is plenty of space to wash it out with the hose.

One of the three Corvus UTVs has a higher speci cation cab with full height doors and a heater

The independent double wishbone suspension and large otation tyres provide a comfortable ride and impressive 309mm ground clearance

“The cab is great. The oor is almost at, and we can lean in through one door and brush or wash dirt out through the other. The view from the seat to the front and sides is excellent. It’s an advantage having a windscreen washer as well as the wiper otherwise the chalky mud would just smear. The large rear window makes it easy to keep an eye on livestock in the trailer. We are in and out of the vehicle all day, but average approximately three hours of driving. The cab is very comfortable, there is plenty of legroom and the seats are wide but still have a large gap between which can be used to carry fragile tools and equipment safely.”

Connor stressed that the Corvus is easy to drive and the controls are well positioned. “The automatic transmission is smooth and maintains a suitable engine speed and gear ratio for the travel speed and load. The dashboard-mounted gear selector lever is light but positive, and it moves easily between the gears – unlike many other UTVs I have driven where the gear changes are notchy and awkward.”

Corvus and Kirkland – ideal package Bruce said that it is likely more Corvus UTVs will join the eet. “The three we have are in constant use; they provide safe transport for our sta , and they

are light and compact enough to be moved long distances between sites on trailers behind our 4x4 pick-ups.

“We enjoy dealing with the Kirkland team. Our main contacts there include Hollie, Ben and Dave, but whoever we speak with the aftercare is excellent. There is a real can-do attitude and that makes our jobs easier.

“There is no end to the uses for these machines. The tractors can pull more, but the Corvus UTVs continue operating long after conditions have become unsuitable for our tractors and pick-ups.”

Hobbyist turned

entrepreneur

shares the secret of boutique

winery success

Little did car dealership director Tibor Rittner know when he joined the local wine club near his home in Romania that just one year later, he would be cutting the ribbons to his very own boutique winery. Henrietta Szathmary writes

Located near the small town of Diosig in north western Romania, Rittner Vinárium is a small business with a strong presence in local and regional wine circles. Driven by his undeniable passion for the craft, founder Tibor Rittner has always been uncompromising on quality, which is at the heart of how he produces every bottle of wine.

Winemaking is deeply rooted in Tibor’s family, who have been producing wines for decades and provided a solid foundation for his winery venture. However, viticulture wasn’t always on the horizon for the daring entrepreneur, who originally set out to pursue a career in agricultural engineering. While he still works full-time as the director of a Skoda dealership, his winemaking side hustle forms an increasingly prominent part of his life.

From wine tasting to winemaking

Speaking with Fruit & Vine, Tibor shared that up until 2006, he considered himself a beer-drinker and hardly ever drained a glass of wine. However, as he began attending wine tasing events

organised by the local Zichy wine club, he found himself increasingly fascinated by the world of wines.

Life is known to take turns when we least expect it, and sure enough, the opportunity soon arose for Tibor to get hands-on with his new-found hobby. In 2006, his late mother-inlaw inherited a small plot of land near Diosig –a prime vine growing area today – where Tibor initially planted eight vine rows with the help of his father-in-law.

These eight rows contained four di erent grape varieties; Pinot Gris, Blaufränkisch, Ottonel Muskotály, and Királyleányka, “already enough for half a wine-tasting session”, Tibor pointed out. Prior to the vines being established, the land had been standing fallow due to the hilly terrain making arable farming di cult.

The rst few vine rows only took up about 0.2ha of Tibor’s land; however, as he expanded his business, the total hectarage under vine increased to 2.5ha. Tibor now grows 10 di erent grape varieties taking up around 0.25ha each; six white and four red.

These include a mix of international and local varieties, which are all harvested and cared for separately. Following careful processing at the on-site winery, the grapes are eventually made into a range of varietal and blended wines.

While Tibor already possessed some background in winemaking, he felt the need to expand his skillset to further improve the quality of his wines. And so, in 2010, he enrolled in a parttime Master’s Degree in Oenology, from which he graduated in 2012.

Austrian Blaufränkisch and local Ottonel Muskotály grapes

At its current dimensions, the vineyard is an ideal size for Tibor to manage next to his family and work commitments. He describes himself as a “weekend winemaker”, working on the business as his time allows on afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

Ideal growing conditions

Rittner Vinárium is fortunate to be situated in a region that receives 200–250 sunny days a year and provides all the necessary conditions for the vines to thrive. Fertile clay loam soils o er excellent nutrition to the crops, with particular bene t to the acidity and minerality of the resulting wines.

Drainage problems are virtually non-existent at the vineyard, as the rows have been established on rather steep, hilly terrain. The vines are also perfectly positioned on mostly south west-facing slopes, where they can absorb the warmth of the sun without taking heat damage.

Sitting at around 160–180m above sea level, the vineyard is primarily a ected by westerly winds, with the occasional east wind bringing storms and destructive hail to the region. Tibor recalls a particularly heavy hailstorm that came hammering down on his vines a few years ago, causing 10–15% damage to the yield.

Although a rare occurrence, summer hailstorms pose a serious threat to grape yields as they cause seeds to burst and subsequently begin to rot. It requires careful management to avoid substantial losses following a hailstorm, Tibor says, which may involve the use of chemicals that contract the seeds to prevent large-scale rotting.

When it comes to the maintenance of the vineyard, Tibor insists that everything must be done with the utmost precision and likes to carry out most of the work himself. Occasionally, he calls on family and friends to help out with seasonal chores. Contractors are hired on an 'as needed' basis, primarily for harvesting, pruning, canopy management and some soil maintenance tasks.

Disease control

With rain comes an increased chance of disease, which is particularly bothersome at times close to harvest. Like most vine growers, Tibor is regularly challenged by the mildews as well as

grey and black mould, although the warm and dry growing season typical of the region means losses are minimal.

The main problem pests on the vineyard are grape vine blister mites (Colomerus vitis), wasps, and starlings that usually arrive in large ocks and can cause considerable crop destruction. Tibor uses pesticides and traps to control harmful insects, and has put up scarecrows throughout the vineyard to try to keep the starlings away.

Weeds are generally not an issue at the vineyard, as they are mostly removed during the cultivation process. However, to protect against insects and diseases, Tibor applies biocides 8–10 times a year, depending on the weather and the needs of the vines.

The timing of application is also important, and spraying is never carried out when the vines are owering to avoid interference with the natural pollination process. Tibor aims to nish spraying by early August, allowing 30–40 days for the chemicals to dissipate before harvest begins.

Canopy management is another key element of disease prevention. At Rittner Vinárium, pruning is performed in the spring and leaf stripping is done at least twice a year to ensure good air circulation through the rows.

Luckily, there have been no major disease outbreaks on the vineyard to date. The vines were especially healthy this year due to a warm and dry growing season with little to no rainfall throughout the summer, keeping chemical input to a minimum.

Routine groundwork is carried out by Tibor himself using his own machinery. Firstly, the desiccated branches are crushed and rotated into the soil with a disc harrow, then ground milling is performed to break up and aerate the top layers of the soil. The compact Tuber 40 tractor, sprayer and implements were mostly purchased new from local dealers, where machinery is plentiful in supply.

The vines at Rittner Vinárium are supported by Tibor’s own trellising system, consisting of concrete posts and metal wiring at three di erent heights (conforming approximately to the VSP system). Each row is 150m long, with posts set up at 6m intervals. Tibor aims for grape clusters to hang at a 90cm height to prevent frost damage and facilitate more comfortable picking at harvest.

Yield control

In order to ensure top quality grapes, Tibor manually restricts the ripe fruit yield to 1–1.5kg/ vine, which means approximately 10t of grapes make it to the cellar each year. Being a boutique winery that primarily supplies wine for festivals, wine tasting events, wine suppers and private/ family gatherings, his focus was never on quantity but on quality.

Not unlike vine growers in the UK, Tibor and his crew were also looking forward to this year’s harvest as the grapes were looking spectacular following a hot and dry summer. Unfortunately, the region experienced heavy rainfall in the weeks leading up to harvest, causing some issues with rotting and reduced sugar content in the fruit.

Tibor said the white grape varieties su ered the most, while the red grapes arrived in the cellar in near perfect condition with above-average sugar content (210–220g/litre of juice). Generally,

Contractors are hired as needed at busy times such as harvest at Rittner Vinárium

Tibor considers a sugar content of 190g/litre to be satisfactory.

The 2022 harvest at Rittner Vinárium began in early September and concluded in mid-October. The early grape variety Ottonel Muskotály is always the rst to be picked, while red grapes like Bakator are the last to mature.

On average, 6–10 labourers are hired to carry out the harvest, and help is also provided by family and friends. Each variety is harvested separately in a day or two, after which the fruit is processed in the winery before the picking of the next variety begins.

Once the grapes arrive in the cellars, Tibor takes sole charge of operations. This is where the magic happens and through meticulous and skilful processing, Rittner Vinárium’s highpro le wines are born.

The winery possesses all the necessary equipment required for winemaking, with Tibor constantly modernising the unit according to the latest technological developments. “You can spend all the money in the world on winemaking equipment,” he says, referring to the endless choices of paraphernalia one can play around with during the winemaking process.

Reserved for the few Rittner Vinárium produces a variety of white, rosé and red still wines, including special o erings such as white Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris rosé. His blended wine range features a fusion of local Ottonel Muskotály and Sauvignon Blanc varieties called Scapin Cuvée, as well as a blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, amongst others.

While no sparkling wines are produced as of yet, Tibor likes to keep an open mind for the future.

Production is kept small-scale, and there are no plans currently to change the winery’s business model. The wines are sold direct to customers via

the cellar door and are not found in any stores or commercial outlets. Tibor has built up a solid client base over the years, marketing the brand at festivals, wine events and by word-of-mouth.

He also participates in national and international wine competitions and has been awarded numerous gold, silver and bronze medals to date. Perhaps the shiniest accomplishment, he says, was winning the ‘Winemaker of County Bihor’ title in two categories in 2013. Since the contest hasn’t been organised since, he still retains the title to this day.

Industry-wide challenges

Like much of the industry in Europe, Tibor is also feeling the e ect of glass shortages and started ordering bottles ahead of time to ensure adequate supply. The price of wine bottles has more than doubled over the last few years, and the cost of inox tools has also gone up due to the bombardment of the Mariupol steel plant in Ukraine.

While input prices have risen throughout the past year, this won’t have a major e ect on how work is carried out at the vineyard. For Tibor, the business is less about making pro t and more about pursuing a passion that has injected so much joy and inspiration into his everyday life.

What the future holds

In the future, Tibor is hoping his children will take over the vineyard one day. He and his wife have a daughter who recently got married and a son who works in the automotive industry.

While both children are involved in the marketing of the business and promoting the wines at festivals, Tibor’s daughter decided to pursue a career in viticulture. After graduating from university with a horticultural engineer degree, she completed a Master’s degree in Oenology and currently works as regional

Total vineyard size: 4ha, with 2.5ha currently under vine (est. 11,300 vines)

Soil type: Clay loam

Aspect: Mostly south west-facing, with a small portion of land facing south Varieties: A mix of international varieties; Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Italian Riesling, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Blaufränkisch, and local varieties including Bakator, Ottonel Muskotály, and Királyleányka. Initially four varieties were planted, and new ones have been added in over the years, with Bakator being the most recent addition in 2017. A number of table grape varieties are also grown

manager for BASF Agricultural Solutions Romania. When Tibor asked his daughter what she would like to become, she answered: “My dad has two hobbies: cars and winemaking. My brother has called shotgun on cars, so winemaking remains for me.”

Image: Lucas & Cristina Photography

Wines produced by Rittner Vinárium

world-class Award-winning, wines

from

a beautiful corner of Cornwall

Second generation winemaker, Sam Lindo, turned his back on a city career and moved back to his parents' vineyard where he grew up. The enterprise is now run as a real family affair, and a true labour of love which shows in the award-winning wines produced. Rachel Hicks writes

Ex-RAF pilot Bob Lindo and his wife Annie bought their Cornish farm in the 1980s, initially farming sheep and cattle and dabbling in barley and potatoes. However, they always had problems growing grass, as it’s a south-facing site with very well-draining loam soil. While this made it a di cult site for grazing due to the heat and dryness sending the grass brown regularly, the couple wondered if it might be ideal for grapes.

Taken by the idea, Bob ‘did a vintage’ in Germany, and the couple immersed themselves in viticulture books and courses. They planted 8,000 vines in 1989, and built a winery equipped with the best kit they could a ord.

Their rst vintage received a medal in the national English Wine competition, and more followed; with Camel Valley wines consistently winning medals at both national and international

level. In 2002, the year their son Sam rst returned to the vineyard from a career in the city, Bob and Annie won the Waitrose Drinks Producer of the Year award. Bob’s nest moment came in 2005 when he was awarded an International Wine Challenge gold medal for Camel Valley ‘Cornwall’ sparkling wine.

Now Sam, a maths graduate, has taken over from his father as winemaker, although he says his dad still whispers in his ear now and then.

Sam worked at a top winery in New Zealand in 2006 and brought back a lot of what he learned there, and has followed in his father’s award-winning footsteps. In 2007, he won the UK Winemaker of the Year award, as well as the Wine of the Year trophy, and Sparkling Wine trophy in the UK Vineyards annual competition for English wines judged solely by Masters of Wine. Sam retained the coveted Vintners trophy for the best UK English

sparkling wine and another three trophies in 2008.

However, the best was still to come, and in 2009 Sam won the trophy and a gold medal in the International Wine Challenge for Camel Valley Bacchus. Simultaneously, he won a gold medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards for Camel Valley Sparkling 'Cornwall' Pinot Noir. Later in the same year, Sam won the English Wine Producers trophy and the Waitrose trophy.

Proving that wine really is in his blood, he then won the trophy for 'Best International Traditional Method Sparkling Wine' in 2010.

Winning varieties

The varieties initially planted in 1989 by Bob and Annie were Seyval, Reichensteiner and Triomphe. The Triomphe was removed as it wasn’t very successful –it didn’t yield well, even in very warm years.

Currently, Seyval, Reichensteiner, Bacchus (planted in 2007), and a bit of Chardonnay (planted in 2020), along with Dornfelder (some of which was planted in 2002), Pinot Noir and Rondo are the varieties grown.

Camel Valley has 7ha under vine, with the entire site covering just over 33ha.

Part of the land is a nature reserve, and some is also used for grazing by the neighbouring farm.

Sam undertakes soil testing for the vines because, he says, the primary issue with Cornish soil is that it doesn’t retain alkalinity, so soils can become quite acidic if you don’t keep on top of it.

He uses a combined prilled liming fertiliser to increase the soil pH – Sam explains this is because lime is di cult to spread in its powder form, as there are no suitable spreaders for that kind of application in vineyards.

Weeds under the vines are controlled preseason with a herbicide strip. After that, Sam keeps grass under control by mowing, but he says inevitably some weeds will enjoy whatever the year ends up being – while Camel Valley doesn’t have issues with any one particular weed, there’s always one variety which will have snuck past the herbicide application, spring ush or mowing; but the idea of cover crops, to Sam, just means extra work and expense so it isn’t something he’s interested in doing for soil health or weed control, as what he’s doing is e ective currently.

In terms of pest control, Sam comments that the site is usually too cold for insects that like vines, which he says is a lovely position to be in.

Similarly, disease pressure is very light, as Camel Valley is the only vineyard in the local area,

so the chance of disease starting and spreading is very slim. Mildew and botrytis are the only two which need controlling, but they haven’t yet had any signi cant losses to these, which Sam puts down to good canopy management and e ective spraying, using the WineGB suggested spray programme each year which is based on updated ag-chem listings.

In terms of the larger pests, birds are the primary problem so they use nets which also help to keep any other animals out.

The vineyard is trellised and pruned within the Guyot system, and fruits are kept at waist-height which Sam nds easier to work with.

Any new trellis posts going into the ground now are metal, although the wooden posts from 1989 are still going strong – luckily for Camel Valley, wood back then was treated in a way that wouldn’t be allowed now.

Very much hands-on Machinery-wise, the vineyard has an Antonio Carrero tractor – the Rolls-Royce of vineyard tractors – as well as a vine trimmer, sprayer, orchard mower that will mow under the vines, and a ail mower that mulches the prunings and which is used to mow the spring ush.

Usually, they’ll see signs of buds swelling in March. April is when bud burst happens, which is when the frost risk is at its most dangerous and this risk doesn’t abate fully until mid-May.

The nal herbicide spray is a desiccant that will be used to tackle the low down shoots, and then the team crown cleans by hand. The vines then grow quite quickly, and by the end of June/early July, the shoots will have reached the top wire and require tucking in.

Harvest usually begins in early October, although this year was a good couple of weeks earlier.

Harvest is entirely hand-picked, both because

the rows were originally planted very much in Bordeaux width, which impacts on the machinery that can be used, and also because Sam says the size of the vineyard overall isn’t big enough to justify using a mechanical harvester.

While the vineyard has used contractors for harvest in the past, they now rely entirely on local pickers. Harvest each day is only undertaken in the morning, with 30-40 pickers working at once, then nishing at lunch time. This means the grapes can go straight to the winery in the afternoon to be processed. When using contractors, picking went on all day, with the fruit not entering the winery until late in the evening – so processing had to continue into the night, followed by an early start the next morning.

Perfectly positioned

Camel Valley is on a south-facing site, 20–50m above sea level. It’s only 10 miles from the coastline, but Sam says that in Cornwall this is the furthest away from the sea you can be but to the west of Bodmin Moor – so they’re in the warmest possible position, with the lowest rainfall, and don’t really su er from any cooling from the sea.

On the MET o ce temperature maps for the west of the UK, there’s a tiny northerly strip running from Newquay to Camel Valley which provides the perfect climate for growing grapes, he explains.

The soil being loamy is generally considered to be unexciting in the wine world, Sam says, as you get more fruit in the wine and less of a local characteristic; but for Sam, starting from a low base, that fruitier nish is a bene t as it’s easy to work with. Camel Valley have other vineyards growing for them elsewhere in the UK, and all are growing on the same soil type on order to get that same fruit avour. As such, none of their wines are made from grapes grown on chalk.

Camel Valley are very well known for their rosé

Camel Valley offers tours and wine by the glass, as well as cellar-door sales. Marketing is very much organic, primarily the result of word-ofmouth recommendations, and tourists make up a large part of the visiting business

sparkling, and also their Brut sparkling – they’ve won the award for best rosé sparkling in the world on three separate occasions. They o er a few other sparkling wines, as well as still white and rosé.

In general, they stick with producing the same wines. Sam explains there’s a sort of inevitability about what the wines are going to taste like, and how the grapes are going to be – which is usually on the side of unripe. Every year there will be a certain batch which might allow them to make a slightly di erent wine, but generally they pick to the same level of acidity, which is the same across all of the contracted vineyards who work with Camel Valley.

They pick each variety as soon as they’re ready to pick, rather than harvesting all varieties at once and doing a eld blend. Each variety is fermented separately, and they don’t think about blending until after harvest – even the grapes arriving from other vineyards are kept separate from each other.

Total yield for the site is around 40t generally, with contracted vineyards providing a further 120t roughly. This leads to around 150,000 bottles being made on average, but this can vary hugely – for example this year, around 220,000 bottles were produced, while for comparison, 2018 saw 300,000, and in 2021 it was down to 110,000. It swings hugely from year-to-year.

This year saw good owering, and the yield was higher than average, although not massive. Next year however Sam is hopeful for a good tonnage, with this year’s weather dictating a high number of good-sized ower bunches; so, if the weather next spring onwards allows, 2023 could be a very good year yield-wise.

Simple yet effective marketing plan

The vineyard employs six full-time-equivalent sta , covering the vineyard, winery, cellar-door visits and other sales.

Wines are sold in locations such as Waitrose,

Fortnum & Mason, Rick Stein, the Tate Gallery, and more. All of the listings have been generated from people who have got in touch with Camel Valley directly, usually as a result of visiting the winery and enjoying the wines – so their key marketing plan is to make sure their cellar-door visits are how they want them to be and that customers enjoy them.

The wines are also stocked in various local wine shops in Cornwall and some further a eld, as well as being sold directly from the vineyard’s website. Marketing for the vineyard is very much word of mouth. Holidaymakers visiting Cornwall are a large part of the customer base, and for Sam, Camel Valley is the content for other people’s social media rather than generating their own social media content.

The vineyard solely o ers tours and wine by the glass, with no plan to add any diversi cations. He’s happy with the size of the operation at the moment, as it allows them to provide excellent customer service as well as remain very much hands-on with the vineyard and winery, so has no plans to make any drastic changes currently.

Sam reckons people underestimate just how complicated it is running a vineyard, winery and cellar-door sales – saying it’s the equivalent of running ve or six businesses all at once, so to try to add yet more to this would impact too much on how the business operates and add unnecessary pressure.

He says that when you throw into the mix issues like Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine, it would open up the business to even more instability and risk.

Sam is the o cial winemaker, but he explains that while he makes the nal call, he doesn’t rely solely on his own palate. Lots of people taste and assess the wines before decisions are made, and Sam thinks it’s important that tastings include people who aren’t as close to the wines as he is.

The sustainable dream Camel Valley uses the traditional method for its sparkling options. Sam says historically, people saw this as the ‘best’ way to produce sparkling wine, but comments that the more they’ve learnt about Champagne and the techniques of production, you can see why Champagne went down this path a very long time ago.

With such a large number of parameters being so variable from year-to-year, he reckons keeping the wine in the same bottle that it will ultimately be sold in helps to keep production elastic – in comparison to having lots of tanks that sit empty for three quarters of the time, instead you have bottles being stored in a warehouse which can be used as needed.

Sam does comment, however, that this method is perhaps not the most sustainable way of producing sparkling wine and delivering it to the customer, but says that in order for it to become more sustainable, customers would need to embrace options such as premium wine being sold in cans, which he feels looks unlikely currently so they’re currently at a bit of an impasse.

Growing grapes and making wine up to the point where it’s all in the tank is a sustainable and carbon negative thing to do, but then we ruin it by putting it in a glass bottle and shipping it around the world. Many things have to change, but he wishes this could be accelerated to now so that he can better sleep at night.

Total vineyard size: 33ha, with 7ha under vine

Soil type: Classic loam

Aspect: South-facing, 20–50m above sea level Varieties: Seyval, Reichensteiner, Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Dornfelder, Rondo and Chardonnay

The fully-equipped winery is onsite, which increases e ciency, and the different varieties as well as grapes arriving from the various contracted sites are processed separately

Keeping boundary hedges trimmed, along with other vegetation, such as cover crops or long grass in alleyways, also aids air ow, he adds.

Tackle weeds

Weeds inhibit air movement too, potentially increasing frost risk by trapping cold air at night, so maintaining a weed-free area beneath vines is advised. Bare soil is also more e ective at absorbing the sun’s heat during the day and radiating it back out at night, raising the temperature around vines slightly to stave-o frost.

However, Kent-based Hutchinsons agronomist, Rob Saunders points out that leaving soil bare over winter con icts with the principles of healthy soil management, so it may be preferable to retain some weed cover in the undervine strip until closer to the main frost risk period.

“A balance must be found though, as we cannot expect a single herbicide application to control large, well developed, weed populations in one hit, therefore a staged approach using di erent actives and modes of action may be required on particularly weedy sites.”

Cultural controls to reduce

spring frost

risks

While there are various types of equipment designed to reduce frost risk in vineyards (see page 52 for the lowdown on the technical options), these can be capital and time-intensive. In all cases, it is therefore well worth considering the ‘passive’ options that can be used to mitigate frost risk, and the dormant winter months are an ideal time to make sure everything is in place before the spring.

New sites

WineGB gures show the UK area of vines has increased 70% over the last ve years, to around 3,758ha, and is expected to continue expanding in future years.

Sensible site selection is critical to reducing the inherent frost risk on any vineyard, whether it is an expansion of an existing enterprise, or an entirely new venture, says Hutchinsons agronomist Chris Cooper.

“Ideally it should be south-facing with a gentle slope that will help cold air drain away, and preferably at an altitude of less than 120m.”

Growers, especially those new to viticulture, should assess the likely growing degree days available, and the topography of the land before nalising planting decisions.

Terramap’s elevation mapping function could be a useful tool to show the contours of any site and highlight potential frost pockets, allowing planting patterns or frost mitigation measures to be tailored accordingly (see www.omniadigital.co.uk/ourservices/terra-map). The Omnia climate module also incorporates frost prediction up to 10 days ahead.

It can be worth adapting variety choice to frost risk, by selecting those that break dormancy slightly later, such as Pinot Meunier, for planting in higherrisk areas. In contrast, Chardonnay may be one for less frost-prone sites given its earlier bud break.

Keep air moving

Aside from careful site selection, one of the biggest ways to manage frost risk is to ensure good air ow around the vines, reducing the risk of cold air becoming trapped and frost forming, Chris says.

Cold air naturally sinks to the lowest point, so dips or depressions in the ground, and the base of slopes, will be at greatest frost risk. “It is therefore vital to maintain air drainage holes in hedges and undergrowth at the bottom of slopes, so cold air can escape. Experience shows that running water near these holes can help draw cold air away more e ectively.”

Glyphosate is one of the main herbicides available to growers, but Kerb (propyzamide) o ers an alternative mode of action, which is good for managing long-term resistance threats, he notes. “It is also slower-acting, taking several weeks for growth to die back after treatment, thereby providing some soil protection and substrate for soil organisms during this period. Remember, Kerb has a limited application window of 1st October to 31st January.”

Pruning strategy

Delaying bud break by pruning later can be a useful option for mitigating frost risk, although there are practical limitations to doing this across large vineyards, Rob says.

“Growers should critically appraise sites and prioritise the most frost-prone areas to prune last.”

Leaving extra upright sacri cial canes can be bene cial in high-risk areas, he continues. Doing so gives more material to select from should frost damage occur, and takes advantage of the vine’s apical dominance, whereby the distal buds on the upright cane tend to break rst, fractionally delaying the emergence of buds on the other cane that has been tied down. “The delay may only be marginal, but it could make all the di erence.”

Retaining more buds than vines can support gives similar exibility in case buds are lost to frost. But for both options, if little or no damage occurs, it will be necessary to go back to prune or rub-out excess buds and/or complete tying down once frost risk has passed to manage canopy density,

Late frosts can devastate vineyards, so with the new growing season just around the corner, Fruit & Vine looks at some measures growers can employ to reduce the risks from an integrated cultural control perspective

Hutchinsons agronomist, Chris Cooper

air ow and crop load.

Chris Cooper says delaying tying down, or bowing the cordon to minimise bud contact with metal wires can also help. “Wires conduct heat and cold, so generally the bud closest to the tie on the wire gets frosted rst if bowed, whereas all buds can get scorched if laid at.”

He reminds growers that the height of the cordon above ground level will a ect the likelihood of frost damage occurring, with lower cordons more at risk from ground frost. “Individually, these are small things, but they are all worth considering.”

Frost protection products

From biostimulants to polymer sprays, there are many products on the market that claim to provide some level of frost protection, but both Rob and Chris are cautious about how much they can be relied upon.

Applying copper to vulnerable shoots before the main frost risk period, for example, is thought to reduce the presence of ice-nucleating bacteria (e.g. Pseudomonas syringae) on buds, or foliar tissue, thereby reducing the likelihood of frost forming. “While there is some evidence to support this, there’s little from UK vineyards,” says Rob. “Other literature suggests that keeping grass short can also reduce the amount of Pseudomonas syringae that makes its way onto buds.”

Experience with spray-on acrylic polymers (e.g. Antistress) and hydrophobic particle lms, that form a physical barrier against frost, has also seen mixed results. “While they could potentially help, we must not expect too much.”

Both experts think the glycine-betaine based product, Lalstim Osmo, looks promising though. The natural extract is an osmoprotectant that increases the strength of plant tissue and boosts the circulation of sap ow, water and nutrients, thereby o ering some protection against light frost when applied 24–48 hours before frost is due.

Similarly, foliar-applied biostimulant feeds, such as Maxicrop, Kelpak or Cultigrow CBL, may help reduce frost damage once growth begins, by improving the concentration of sugars and salts (solutes) in and around the buds, thereby lowering the freezing point of the solution within those cells.

If frost damage has occurred, they can also help plants repair damaged tissue and/or stimulate replacement bud growth, Mr Cooper notes.

Damaged vines following a late spring frost Hutchinsons agronomist, Rob Saunders

Grapes: Exploring varieties for still and sparkling wines

The UK viticulture sector has changed considerably in the last 30 years in terms of landscape, climate and wine styles and the future presents further opportunities.

Joel Jorgensen, viticulture director at Vinescapes, looks at three grape varieties; Pinot Gris, Meunier and Gamay, whose plantings are on the increase

GAMAY NOIR

Type: Vitis vinifera

Colour: Red UK area: 2.49ha (Data: Stephen Skelton 2022)

This variety’s original home is the Beaujolais and Loire regions in France, but it is steadily growing in popularity in cooler climate regions including Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Oregon. There are currently 2.49ha in the UK and more plantings are expected over the coming years.

Biddenden Vineyard in Kent planted Gamay Noir in 1985 after co-owner Julian Barnes spent some time working in the Beaujolais region. The block is currently 1,000 vines, covering half an acre. In the past it hasn’t been a very reliable variety in the UK, and Biddenden have only been able to fully ripen and make a single varietal Gamay Noir still wine six times during this time. However, the last three successful vintages were 2018, 2020 and 2022. Julian’s son Tom Barnes explains this is partly due to climate change, but also the agronomy has improved with a greater understanding of how best to manage the vines for red still

wine production.

Tom explained that the Gamay is the rst to ower, but the last to be harvested and needs to have the right conditions to achieve ripeness after veraison. The wine is made by the same method that is used in Beaujolais, using the carbonic maceration technique – but they say they are not tempted to release a Nouveau-style wine! The production is limited to around 3,000 bottles per vintage, but it is packaged in a tall, elegant bottle and sells well. Biddenden is a favourable site; a sun trap with gentle slopes on sandy loam over clay. Along with Gamay, Biddenden also grow Riesling and Gewurztraminer and, as the climate warms, may consider planting more Gamay in the future.

PINOT GRIS

Type: Vitis vinifera

Colour: White UK area: 54.44ha (Data: Stephen Skelton 2022)

Pinot Gris, also known as Ruländer, or more commonly, Grauburgunder, currently represents 1.49% (Data: Stephen Skelton 2022) of the planted area in the UK. It is well-known as Pinot Grigio, grown widely in Italy. It is thought to be a clone of Pinot Noir and the fruit usually has a distinctive grey-blue colouring, with pinkish hues when ripe.

Chartham Vineyard in Kent planted 1,900 Pinot Gris vines, clone GM27 on SO4 rootstock.

The owners, Richard Goodenough

The vine varieties grown in the UK have changed over the years from the cooler climate varieties of the 1990s such as Müller-Thurgau, Reichensteiner and Seyval Blanc, to the ‘Champagne’ varieties popular today for sparkling wine, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. According to research led by Vinescapes’ Dr Alistair Nesbitt and the University of East Anglia, climate change is likely to see further changes in the next 20 years or so and in particular the opportunity for more still wines – produced from

ABOUTOURAUTHOR

varieties such as Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, as well as the more disease-resistant varieties that are not yet commonly grown in the UK. The UK currently has exibility to explore new varieties and styles, as restrictions and regulations are not as limiting as in other wine regions. This should help to avoid wine style lock-in and allow growers to adapt to future climate change. However, the UK is still a young wineproducing region and learning about variety response to terroir and UK growing conditions.

Joel Jorgensen, Vinescapes director and viticulturist, grew up in the Cape Winelands of South Africa and viticulture has been a life-long passion of his. He gained a BSc in Viticulture and Pomology from Stellenbosch University before being drawn to the UK’s ourishing and rapidly expanding wine industry. Joel is a self-proclaimed "vine nerd with muddy hands" and a passion for sustainability in all senses of the word. He strives to create the perfectly balanced vineyard and a healthy natural system that will deliver a quality crop every year and provide a sustainable return on investment.

and Ros Waller knew and liked the variety, and it has turned out to be a great success, as their south-facing, well-drained site with chalky loam soil seems to suit the variety. It produces a consistently good yield, and ripens well, and the owners nd it reliable, easy to grow and manage – compared to their Pinot Noir and Bacchus – and not particularly susceptible to disease.

Bud burst is similar in timing to their other varieties, but it remains on the vine longer and is usually the last to be harvested, achieving good sugar levels – in 2022 it reached 84 degrees Oechsle.

The owners describe their awardwinning wine as fresh green apples, blossom, honeysuckle, and pineapple; fresh with good acidity and a perfect aperitif.

MEUNIER

Type: Vitis vinifera Colour: Red UK area: 324.46ha (Data: Stephen Skelton 2022)

Jonica Fox, co-owner of Fox & Fox, in East Sussex, rst planted Meunier in 2004, and then increased plantings in 2010 and 2011 as she found Meunier to be an excellent variety, showing blackberry fruit avours, depth and richness.

On their site, the Meunier is generally later to bud burst, probably 10 days to two weeks behind Chardonnay, but gains ground fast as it is then usually ready to be harvested about a week before Chardonnay. It is fairly vigorous, likes the damper ground and does well on SO4 rootstocks and clay soil, but as it is relatively vigorous, it needs careful management. With good management the variety ripens easily and crops well. As with most grape varieties in the UK, the yield is variable depending on the year. With its dark coloured fruit, it can attract SWD, especially if cherries are grown in the locality.

Meunier is usually blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Classic Cuvée or Rosé sparkling blends, but Fox & Fox produce a 100% Meunier sparkling as they feel the grape deserves more attention and a chance to be tasted in isolation. It has gained many gold awards – with its rich dark fruit avours, including plum, blackberry and blackcurrant and the chalk contributing some salinity.

Early season nutrition: extreme weather Mitigating the impacts of

defence systems in preparation for the next season.

Micronutrients including boron, zinc and iron play an important role in maximising photosynthetic processes, fruit and bud set and overall plant health. Hortifeeds Soft Fruit Soluble Mixes are designed to include the optimum levels of all nutrients for fertigation feeding.

It is important to provide the correct balance of major and micro-nutrients to optimise all the many biological processes within the plant that support pollination and fruit production, maximising Class 1 yield and reducing the occurrence of aborted and malformed fruit.

In the UK, we are lucky to have a mild maritime climate; but this is also coupled with being perched on the edge of the continental landmass, meaning that while our weather is normally benign, we are still occasionally subject to extremes of heat, cold, rainfall, and all the other weather events that Mother Nature can throw at us.

Farmers and growers have always had to adapt to harsh weather events, both in terms of what crops they can grow, and how they grow them. However, over the last few years we have increasingly seen the e ects of climate change kicking in, with weather events generally becoming more extreme and more unpredictable. Consequently, mitigating the impacts of extended periods of cold weather, excessive rainfall and ooding, late frosts, extreme heat and drought have become an even more important part of all fruit growers’ regimes.

Stress relief

Alongside the nutritional requirement of setting and budding fruit plants, managing stress relief has become more important than ever; and growers who have successfully managed these issues have seen improvements in quality, yields and shelf-life throughout the season.

Modern larger-scale fruit production is based on optimising production inputs to maximise yield potential, and in this system the di erence between pro t and loss is often determined by very ne margins. Growers are increasingly nding that biostimulants can help bridge the gaps that can a ect those ne margins and make a signi cant di erence to overall crop performance.

When the stresses of fruit load are over, postharvest plants need to recover and rebuild energy

reserves ready for the winter, and begin preparation for the following spring. It is important to give strawberries (and other soft fruit) optimum levels of nitrogen to help build reserves and replenish crowns to maximise potential for the coming season. Phosphorous, calcium, boron and zinc are all important in establishing strong, resilient buds and roots that are best able to withstand fungal disease attacks.

In grape vine production, it is important to provide good, long-lasting nitrogen in the spring, usually in the form of a single granular application. A correct balance of trace elements is also vital to ensure optimal photosynthesis, and pollination, fruit set and quality. Hortivitis is a specially designed foliar vine product which includes magnesium, sulphur, iron, manganese, zinc and boron, all of which combine to act as an e ective chlorophyll booster and provide nutrition through the vital growth and fruiting stages.

Phosphites are well-known throughout the industry as fast-acting biostimulants which have been shown to activate plant defence mechanisms and improve overall production and fruit quality. Hortiphyte is a leading potassium phosphite biostimulant that is easily taken up by the plant in the early season when cold and wet conditions can make the uptake of phosphorous more di cult, potentially hindering root development and thereby leaving the plant vulnerable to fungal disease attacks.

Hortiphyte is best applied in a drench on young plants before potting on, or via regular fertigation/ foliar application to all soft fruit plants whether grown in substrate or soil. If plants are to be kept on, a late-season application post-harvest can be bene cial in helping to strengthen the plant’s own

Seaweed has long been proven to help fruit plants recover from stress events including excessive rain, heat, cold and drought conditions. HortiBoost is a seaweed-based biostimulant which also contains an essential amino acid complex, fulvic acids, humic acids and a balanced trace element package that is rich in iron to help ensure de ciencies associated with stress events are mitigated and stress recovery is optimised. HortiBoost can be applied either via fertigation or by foliar application to a range of fruit crops, with good results coming from regular little and often applications by tank mixing with other spray inputs.

Even distribution

As discussed above, climate change is increasingly a ecting crop production in many and various ways. Extremes of heat and drought have become much more of an issue for growers, with liquid wetting agents now playing a key role in ensuring water and nutrients are distributed evenly throughout the substrate, and increase the e ciency of your feed programme. This can be particularly useful where coir or peat bags are used for more than one growing season.

HortiHydrate Bio wetting agent is a specially developed organic liquid surfactant which provides the same key bene ts and performance as traditional synthetic wetting agents, but using sustainable ingredients without the negative environmental impacts associated with standard products created from fossil fuels. HortiHydrate Bio has also been approved for use in organic growing systems by the Soil Association.

Calcium plays a very important role in the formation and structure of fruit, providing the framework that will determine nal fruit quality and shelf life. Movement of calcium within the plant occurs in the xylem vessels via the transpiration ow. Plant Impact Ametros contains calcium, nitrogen and zinc along with patented CaT technology which helps to mobilise calcium and increase its concentration in fruit cells where it is needed most. Ametros has been shown to increase yield, quality and shelf life in soft and top fruit and can also be used to correct calcium de ciencies.

Agronomist Mike Wainwright of Hortifeeds discusses the importance of managing plant stress in an extreme, unpredictable and constantly evolving climate

Biological fungicide study suggests significant potential

During a two-year study performed by Agrii, the number of synthetic fungicides required to control the main diseases in a strawberry trial was reduced by 58%, while crop quality improved through reduced plant stress

The two-year trial performed by crop advisers and trials specialists at Agrii has demonstrated the potential contribution biological products can make in maintaining high crop quality and yield while controlling powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis) and storage rots in commercial strawberry production.

The trial, which was jointly supported by manufacturers Bayer Crop Science and Certis Belchim, incorporated commercially available biological fungicides into a programme for comparison with one based entirely on conventional products. Until now, biological products have only been assessed in isolation.

The integrated programme performed impressively well, explains Emily Dimond, Agrii fruit agronomist who managed the trial.

“In both 2021 and 2022, strawberries produced under the integrated programme were bigger and heavier than those receiving only synthetic fungicides. There were no negative e ects on rmness or Brix scores either,” Emily says.

The trial used the variety Malling Centenary, with crops planted in March and grown on tabletops in a polyhouse with a drip irrigation and fertigation system re ective of the industry standard. Spray applications were performed every seven days, as per standard commercial practice. A exible approach to application timing allowed for seasonal di erences in crop growth to be re ected while crops remained protected throughout the production period. As a

result, crops received 14 sprays in 2021 and 12 in 2022. In both years, conventional products accounted for ve sprays of the programme.

The trial proved that it is possible to meet yield and quality targets with the structured use of biologicals, however, this was not the only nding.

“Over two years, the average size and weight of the strawberries was greater in the integrated programme by 7% and 14% respectively (compared with the conventional programme). This is likely to be a bene t of reduced crop stress and improved crop condition,” commented Emily.

Shelf-life assessments based on storage for seven-days at ambient temperatures considered the incidence of storage rots, such as botrytis, penicillin, rhizopus and mucor. In both years, the incidence of storage rots re ected the disease pressure during the season, but in most cases the amount of healthy fruit was signi cantly greater in the integrated programme.

“Our investigations have shown that the shelf-life potential of the crops grown under the integrated programme was signi cantly greater. This will be of great interest to growers, buyers and retailers,” she explained.

“In this trial, the integrated programme had a harvest interval of one day, which was one-third of that of the conventional programme. The reduced re-entry and harvest intervals associated with biologicals will be of considerable value to growers, allowing tighter crop harvests through the season.

This means crops can be picked at optimum ripeness, which will support crop quality and potentially reduce the risk of spotted wing drosophila (SWD) infestations and disease,” Emily added.

There was a noticeable di erence in fruit appearance between the programmes. Fruit grown under the integrated programme was of a medium red colour with fewer observable seeds while the conventional programme tended to result in fruit that was darker in appearance with evidently more seeds after seven days in ambient storage.

Residue tests found zero residues in the integrated programme while those in the conventional programme were within regulatory limits. The trial will continue for an additional year to generate further data and re ne the programme before being shared with growers and buyers.

The trial used Malling Centenary with crops planted on tabletops in a polyhouse with a drip irrigation and fertigation system

Agrii fruit agronomist, Emily Dimond

Apples:

Stewarding heritage varieties

these lesser-known apples have a passionate and growing customer base.

Ashmead’s Kernel, featured here, may be an unlikely winner given the qualities producers and consumers have come to expect from varieties such as Gala and Braeburn, unsurprisingly prized by supermarkets for their uniformity and clear, crisp skin. However, lurking beneath the unassuming russet of Ashmead’s Kernel is creamy, white and delicious esh, unrivalled in terms of avour. This russeting is also linked to antioxidant and antiin ammatory qualities, suggesting Ashmead and its ilk might even be providing us with a healthier apple! Along with organic certi cation, this represents a USP for many health and environmentally-conscious consumers on the lookout for delicious UK-grown fruit with a story to tell.

ABOUTOURAUTHOR

Tom Adams is a fruit tree nurseryman growing a range of organic, very rare heritage varieties, as well as modern varieties suitable for traditional orchards, commercial settings, small holdings, and the home garden at his Soil Association organic certi ed agroforestry nursery site in Shropshire.

I nd it virtually impossible to choose just one or two varieties to champion; my agroforestry approach to stewarding heritage fruit varieties means that diversity rules! At my site in North Shropshire, I have over 150 varieties grown in an alley cropping system, incorporating willow coppice to provide ramial chipped wood (RCW) with which to mulch the trees in both nursery and orchard. The coppice has the added bene t

PROFILE:

Ashmead’s Kernel

Winning the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993 for its exceptional avour, this is a heritage variety of versatile usage. Primarily a dessert apple, it can also be used in cooking and makes an outstanding cider.

Fruit qualities: A Gloucester dessert variety dating from the 1700s. What this heavily russeted, traditional variety lacks in regularity of shape, it more than makes up for in avour and history. A good keeper, with a unique avour that has been described as champagne-sherbet, pear drop, and orange blossom.

Management requirements: Taking longer than some modern varieties to come into fruit, (three years approx.), once established and with judicious winter pruning, Ashmead’s Kernel can give bountiful cropping in a good year. Some of its ‘bad rap’ for erratic cropping stems from the fact that it was once thought to be an ‘unreliable’ diploid variety, however research shows Ashmead’s Kernel to be a triploid variety, bene tting from a nearby pollinator such as a crab apple – once common practice in traditional orchards.

of acting as a bu er strip, impeding the spread of airborne diseases such as apple scab.

Commercial heritage varieties

I like to think that celebrating our heritage and producing a commercially viable crop needn’t be mutually exclusive endeavours. I’m using heritage varieties in my commercial-style orchard for direct-to-consumer and local wholesale, and nd

Growing season (timeline): After owering in May, fruits typically set in June. With a late season of use, fruit is typically harvested in October for use from December to February; with excellent keeping qualities when properly stored, the avour sweetens and intensi es with storage.

Spur fruiting, making it suitable for cordons or training on espaliers or wires where a commercial style is preferred – M9 dwar ng rootstocks are recommended for this style. Fruits may be smaller than we’ve come to expect from many commercial varieties, but this has the advantage of meaning thinning is not usually required.

Pollination group D – this is a self-sterile variety which requires a pollinator, it can be pollinated by trees in group C, D and E.

Disease resistance: Shows good resistance to apple scab and mildew, making it a good choice for orchards in wetter areas of the UK. Can su er from bitter pit, related to the irregular uptake of water, so mulching at the base of the trees is recommended.

PROFILE: Discovery

Originating from Essex in the 1940s, Discovery is ancestor to varieties including Katy and Scrumptious.

He specialises in hard-to- nd heritage apple varieties from the English/Welsh borderlands and further South into Herefordshire and Gloucestershire; building his collection of apples, pears, cherries, quince, plum, damson and medlar from all over the country, to help protect plant biodiversity, and ensure our living heritage continues to be enjoyed for generations to come.

Tom has been in the trade for 20 years. As well as selling bare root trees, he provides consultancy, tuition and teaches on the accredited Certi cate in Community Orcharding award.

For more info visit tomtheappleman.co.uk

Fruits of delicate strawberry avour, with a crisp and juicy bite herald the start of the UK apple season. Best enjoyed as soon as possible after harvest if intended as an eater, this variety represents a valuable option for ‘direct to customer’ sales. As the arrival of Discovery apples is something of an occasion, it is particularly useful for PYO sites and farm shops. Where an added value product is preferred or there is excess, Discovery makes an excellent, aromatic juice and is therefore a useful diversi cation variety.

Management requirements: A compact cultivar adaptable to many training forms, Discovery is a partial tip bearer and requires regular pruning. Some fruit thinning may be required depending on preferred size, which is usually around 60–70mm for commercial markets.

Growing season (timeline): Pollination group 3, the owers are rarely a ected by late frosts meaning Discovery is suitable for all but the coldest areas of the UK. It is a self-sterile variety requiring a pollination partner to produce fruit. Season of use is August to mid-September.

Disease resistance: Showing good resistance to apple scab and powdery mildew.

Fruit & Vine asked Tom Adams (AKA 'Tom the Apple Man') to discuss two heritage apple varieties this issue – although choosing just two varieties proved a challenge, as he explains

Variety: Discovery

The latest tech in the ght against frost risk

While frost control across the pond can involve signi cant investments, with huge commercial vineyards even employing helicopters to force warmer air downwards, here in the UK this just can’t be justi ed. So, what are your options?

Dormant grapevines can tolerate winter frosts to some extent, as long as temperatures don’t drop below around 15ºC (which is pretty unlikely in the key growing regions in the more southerly areas of the UK).

But if frost hits just after bud burst, the young shoots are vulnerable to cell damage and between 20–90% of a crop can be lost as a result. Once frost damage has happened, there is little that a grower can do to mitigate the crop loss, so the only solution is to prevent the frost damage in the rst place. But how can you do this?

Frost candles

Large para n candles, or ‘bougies’, burn at high temperatures and are designed to create air movement, which prevents a frost pocket from forming. There is, however, a risk of secondary damage due to leaf scorching.

A signi cant number (usually hundreds) of candles are required in order to generate enough

air movement across a vineyard, which can take a long time (and a lot of hands) to light in the middle of the night.

The candles generally range from 8–14 hours’ burn time. Once the candle is burned down, traditionally the empty metal cans would then need to be disposed of; but with sustainability being such a watchword within the industry these days, some companies are now providing re llable options, such as The Crop Candle Company. Its Crop Candle Re ll has an eight hour burn time and high calori c heat of 22–25,000KJ/hr. It can be added to existing Crop Candle cans, and the company says that even if you have 5–6cm remaining in the bottom of your 10–12hr candle you can place the re ll on top of the existing wax to ensure your next burn will have an additional eight hours.

Frost fans

According to Vinescapes, every radiation frost event is di erent; di erent atmospheric

conditions, inversion layer strengths, temperatures, length of sub-zero temperatures, soil moisture levels, and vine development stages. In general though, with a decent inversion, the company says one of its mobile frost fans on at land can protect on average:

• 4ha of land down to -3°C

• 3ha of land down to -4°C

• 1ha of land down to -5°C.

Swift International exclusively distributes mobile FrostFans (www.frostfans.uk) which, the company says, growers can put to use 15 minutes after delivery. The machines can rotate/oscillate 0–360-degrees, and rotation speed can be set according to the conditions. Swift International has had serious interest from the UK recently, as frost has been a major factor in the past ve years, mainly in regards to yield. It is crucial to have correct placement and a timely delivery of new machines so the operater knows the machine and how to set it up and standby. FrostFans can provide a plan for placement if required. There is still limited stock for supply of machines in spring 2023, the company says.

Fruit & Vine spoke to Oxfordshire-based grower Ed Mitcham, who has been using a 2013/2014 model frost fan for the last few years covering a vineyard area of 2.5ha, and is now looking to

purchase an additional newer model due to expanding the vineyard to almost 5ha in size.

By having two machines, he says he can easily cover the entire vineyard, and it also gives him piece of mind should the older fan fail or break down – relying on one leaves him open to too much risk.

For him, the older fan covers only around 2ha on his particular vineyard; whereas the newer FrostFan Frost Protection 250 model should easily cover 4ha. He says he looked at the Frost Protection 650, which protects up to 6.5ha, but decided to go with the 250 model as he’ll be using it in tandem with the older fan when needed.

The newer model o ers much improved features, Ed reckons. For starters, the engine is now diesel-powered with a direct drive to the fan, whereas the older version relies on belts.

Digital information screens mean ease of use, and temperature sensors are all in-built, while other modernisations, which include being able to adjust the angle of the boom rather than just the position of the head, help to improve performance and e ciency.

The auto-start mechanism allows you to set parameters so that once the temperature drops to a certain level, the fan will self-start, and then turn itself o once the temperature has risen to the pre-set level.

This is ideal for growers like Ed who don’t live onsite, as it provides peace of mind. He says it means you can watch the temperature dropping from home, and can see the fan has activated, buying some valuable sleep as it can all be managed remotely.

Ed explains that with any frost protection options, you don’t really want to be in the vineyard at 2/3am, so for him, reliability is key.

When asked how mobile these fans actually are, he commented his is really manoeuvrable, which he feels is invaluable when having to combat the cold air drift, the direction of which can change on a dime. Blowing the fans with the cold air drift direction rather than against it is key to e cient and e ective frost control, so if the direction changes it’s important to adjust the frost fan accordingly.

He describes it as like towing a trailer, and

reckons that while you wouldn’t want to be towing it on a road for long, for short journeys it’s ideal. Set-up is quick and easy, and the fan can be up and running within minutes once it’s been relocated.

When the frosts are particularly harsh, Ed uses a combination of frost fan and bougies, particularly at times when the drive belts are nearing the end of their life and the old fan might have to be running for longer than anticipated –but with the newer model, the direct drive engine design means this scenario will no longer be a concern so Ed won’t have to rely on bougies so much as a back-up.

With both used and new vineyard machinery being in such high demand and short supply, Ed is looking forward to receiving his updated FrostFan model via Swift International in time for next spring.

Sprinklers

It may sound counter-intuitive, but running sprinkler systems through the night when a late frost threatens causes water to freeze over any tender growth, and an exothermic reaction allows the water to give o latent heat as it freezes, trapping this heat between the vine and the ice to create a microclimate. While the amount of heat generated is small, it can be enough to protect the susceptible tissue as long as the frost doesn’t last for more than a few hours.

It’s important that sprinkler systems are already in place before the frost threat can be realised, and that they are appropriately positioned with the correct water hydraulic calculations to continually douse all vines.

Amongst other sprinkler options, Plantex UK says it can provide a cost-e ective and water e cient irrigation and frost protection with a bespoke control and automation system that suits your individual requirements and budget, which will target speci c zones, has a low investment cost per hectare and can be combined with Plantex’s drip irrigation system to irrigate and fertigate vineyards.

Protecting against both advection and radiation frosts down to -8ºC, sprinkler systems are a low noise and environmentally-friendly option.

Heated cables

Companies such as Gaia provide heated cables which are wrapped around the fruiting cane and the heat is then conducted into the sap of the cane. Because sap is a good conductor of heat, it is able to evenly distribute this to the new growth internally. One bene t of this type of frost protection system is its low labour requirement, which is a consideration that helps to outweigh the initial investment of time and money. Cables can be professionally installed or self-installed, with the cables being backed with a 20-year warranty. The cables are controlled by a thermostat which ensures heat is distributed when and where it is required, to maintain the crop at an ideal temperature.

The latest innovation to hit the UK viticulture scene is the Frolight Infrared System which is exclusively available via Plantex UK. The electrical system is based on infrared lighting tubes which transmit radiant heat, and it automatically switches on and o at pre-set temperatures, meaning no more labour-intensive nights.

The infrared modules are uniformly distributed, resulting in more e cient energy distribution. By using infrared radiation as a heat transfer medium, there are no major energy losses, regardless of wind or rain – ensuring guaranteed protection.

In terms of installation, separate modules are joined by waterproof connectors, so the system is highly exible and can be extended inde nitely according to the speci c needs of the vineyard.

Vineyard monitoring/frost alerts

For all types of frost protection, anticipating the risk of frost is key. Keeping an eye on the local weather report isn’t enough for vineyards, as frost risk can vary from eld to eld, so more precise monitoring is the most e ective way to keep one step ahead; particularly when relying on a more time- and labour-intensive frost solution like bougies.

Companies such as Sencrop o er precision weather stations which are connected to a collaborative weather application, helping you to detect when crops are at risk so you can act accordingly. According to Sencrop, to measure the risk of frost, you need an accurate and complete weather solution, which includes a humidity sensor and a thermometer.

The wet bulb temperature is the temperature value in contact with water in a liquid state. In other words, it is the value that takes into account the humidity in suspension (air humidity). There are two methods for obtaining this value precisely:

• The capillary measurement is done with a dedicated physical sensor (e.g. Comsag, Pessl, Weenat...). In this sensor, the wet bulb temperature is calculated by a thermometer surrounded by a water-soaked lace.

• The measurement by algorithmic calculation is calculated from the temperature and hygrometry measurements (e.g. Sencrop, Davis, Meteus, Pessl and so on).

Sencrop has chosen this second method, by integrating an algorithm from the most recent scienti c publications on the subject of wet bulb temperature.

Monitoring the wet temperature makes it possible to anticipate the minimum temperature that can be reached, and thus to act at the right time.

Could putting your trust in

vineyard management

be right for you?

What are the pitfalls to look out for?

Be sure not to pay for something which is either not of use or you don't fully need – the key is nding a suitable service. Another pitfall is purchasing the incorrect service/product; a quick way to incur unnecessary costs in what can already be an expensive venture.

Any tips for negotiating contracts?

As the sector continues to grow exponentially, the volume of new plantings each year means a signi cant proportion are new entrants to the industry, many of whom have no prior knowledge of growing grapes. Consequently, the knowledge base can at times be low, and sourcing experienced managers to service the industry is challenging. Vineyard management companies can be an important tool in bridging these gaps for many vineyard businesses.

For experienced grape growers who are expanding their vineyard holdings, this is an easy transition. For growers of other soft fruits or top fruits looking to diversify their crop holding, there are new things to learn about these plants, but generally the transition is fairly straightforward as many of the practices, equipment and products are common across other fruit divisions. For farmers of non-fruit crops, there is the need to purchase appropriate smaller equipment to service the vineyard and learn about growing a soft fruit crop. Furthermore, there is the complete novice or investor, who has no prior farming experience, for which the process of planting and managing a new vineyard can be daunting and a steep learning curve. In each of these examples, there are speci c bene ts to using the services of a vineyard management company.

For existing growers of vineyard estates, a vineyard management company can help where there are gaps in sta levels; recruiting additional vineyard sta , supporting with tractor operations, scouting, or other sta ng reasons such as covering maternity/paternity leave. For farmers or fruit farmers, it is useful to have an experienced pair of eyes casting their gaze over this crop. Aside from any tractor or labour operations, vineyard management companies can provide a useful scouting service, supplying regular reporting upon vine health and creating to-do lists. This can aid a

fruit grower to develop their skills with a new crop until they feel comfortable without the continued services of a vineyard management company, but without any detrimental crop loss or establishment success in the meantime.

For the novice grower, such a scouting service or full vineyard management can ensure the project ourishes from the start and even makes projects feasible for individuals who lack time or the essential viticultural knowledge.

Determining the right vineyard management company for you

There are several companies o ering vineyard management, but you should ensure you are dealing with a cool climate specialist who has years of experience in grape growing, preferably in the UK – it’s a tricky place to grow grapes, and no two seasons are the same. Secondly, you need to be comfortable with who you are liaising with, and the manager you are assigned should be the same throughout the season to ensure consistency.

As with many projects, a ‘one-size- ts-all’ approach is very rarely appropriate. Whilst a full day-to-day vineyard management package may be attractive to a hands-o operator, this is unlikely to be of bene t or cost e ective for an existing farmer who may prefer to use a consulting service, such as scouting/reporting, or a scheduled visits service throughout the year advising at key intervals.

Full day-to-day management packages mean the appointed company will take responsibility for all operations and activities. Scouting services provide regular advice and guidance based upon several visits a season, tailored according to the annual vineyard calendar. Ad hoc consultancy visits at key intervals provide advice and guidance and can be tailored to the individual site’s needs. Tuition can be for new growers or training inhouse teams of sta members.

The services o ered vary from company to company, but it is important to clearly understand what it is you want to outsource versus what you are prepared to do and have the capabilities to do yourself. It should be clearly de ned from the outset, between yourselves and the vineyard management company, what falls inside and outside of the scope of the package you are considering. If considering hiring vineyard labour, it is a legal requirement for the vineyard management company to be registered with the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority, (GLAA).

VineWorks is one of the longest-standing and experienced viticultural rms operating in the UK and was founded on the simple premise that quality wine starts on the vine. That’s why our mission is to support UK vineyards, one vine at a time. The company was established in 2006 and is based in Sussex, but services clients across England (and the UK). We provide a full range of viticultural support to over 90 vineyards.

ABOUTOURAUTHOR

James Dodson is founder and CEO of VineWorks. James has always loved digging deeper. It inspired his rst career in archaeology and later, while working for Oddbins as a ne wine manager for Scotland, it ultimately inspired a wish to be part of the winemaking industry. While studying for his BSc (Hons) in Viticulture and Oenology at Plumpton College, he recognised a growing demand for vineyard services to the ever-expanding English wine industry. With the help of a fellow student, he founded VineWorks in 2006. While growing the business, James also worked in California as a cellar hand (2007), and as an assistant contract winemaker for Waverly in the south of France (2008).

Fruit & Vine asked VineWorks CEO, James Dodson to discuss the potential bene ts of using a vineyard management company for your viticulture enterprise

width, small weld repair on pivot A frame, but in v good order.

£6,250+VAT. D Newman Tel 07973 450117 (Wiltshire)

HEDGING & FORESTRY

SHACKLES for boot flail (25), unused, cost £11.75 new. £145 the lot. P Beales Tel 07584 189359 (Suffolk)

BACK-TO-BACK (43) flail blades, cost over £6 each, unused. £130. P Beales Tel 07584 189359 (Suffolk)

BEARCAT chipper/shredder, model 554, 3 point linkage mounted, PTO driven, as new. £1,400+VAT. K Ollett Tel 07753 859881/01359 270047 (Suffolk)

LAND/PROPERTY

PRE-SALE notice for 2023, 92 acre farm consisting of 55 acres native woodland, 35 acres permanent grassland, 3 dwellings, barns, loose boxes, South Bucks/Herts border, good access, no footpaths. Call to register interest. L Sunderland Tel 01494 774363 (answerphone)/07899 906373 (Buckinghamshire)

LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT

LIQUID nitrogen flask, good condition. £250+VAT ono. R Gray Tel 07939 443353 (South Yorks)

SAFETY

MATERIALS HANDLERS

MANITOU MLA

5105GF 2018, 2635 hrs, 24F/12R 0,5-40 Hi-Lo trans, air con, super deluxe cab seat, 3 SCVs, 540/540E PTO, rear 380/70R28, front 280/70R20, front 3pt hitch

JOHN

5105GF 2019, 2183 hrs, 24F/12R 0,5-40 KM/H, air con cab w/super deluxe seat, 3SCVs, 540/540E PTO, rear 380/70R28, front 280/70R20, front hitch

JOHN

5105GF 2019, 2785 hrs, 24F/12R 0,5-40 KM/H, air con cab w/super deluxe seat, 3SCVs, 540/540E PTO, rear 380/70R28, front 280/70R20, front hitch

JOHN

5100GF 2016, 3114 hrs, 24F/12R 0,5-40 KM/H, air con cab, super deluxe seat, 2 SCVs, 540/540E PTO, rear 380/70R28, front 280/70R20, front hitch

JOHN

5090GF 2018, 2234 hrs, 24F/12R 0,5-40 KM/H, air con cab,

JOHN

DEERE

DEERE

DEERE

DEERE

DEERE

GENERAC

SPARE PARTS

SPRAYERS

KONGSKILDE

MASSEY Ferguson 5445 with 873 loader, 2004, 6900hrs, nearly new Continental tyres all round, 40k, air con, radio, in excellent condition, please call for more details. £19,750+VAT. C Bacon Tel 07811 162299 (Derbyshire)

LANDINI Power Farm 105hp, 2009, 4wd, loader with Euro 8 h/stock, only 2492hrs, 2 man spools, push out r/hitch, vg Michelins (original), a/seat, a/c, from smallholding, bucket, pallet forks & bale spike also available. £22,000 no VAT. Viewing welcome. J Akehurst Tel 07834 378240 (East Sussex)

TRACTORS

BATEMAN

MULTIDRIVE

JOHN

KUBOTA M110GX, 2016, only 1100hrs, Q46 loader, a/c, good basic tractor c/w attachments. £37,500. L Rich Tel 07774 112211 (Gloucestershire)

FRONT PTO for Case CVX 165 210hp, will fit Zuidberg front linkage PTO part No 100307f, 2020 brand new, still in original box, selling because of mixup by suppliers. £3,500+VAT. A Armstrong Tel 07974 702956 (Stirlingshire)

QUICKE loader brackets for New Holland TS 115/125 or Case MX 115/125 tractor, good condition. £850+VAT ono. J Charlesworth Tel 07807 974049 (Warwickshire)

FERGUSON

WANTED

HOWARD power harrow. J Doe Tel 07860 314240 (Suffolk)

DAVID Brown 1210 with Bosch fuel pump. A Hawes Tel 07739 491091 (Buckinghamshire)

SMALL Portacabin or similar for farm office. P

Supporting a and ensuring

holistic approach responsible recruitment

There is no doubt about it that East Anglia is a primary growth region, and certainly when I joined the industry over 20 years ago, no-one was talking about planting in this volume or anticipating the exceptional quality of grapes that are produced here.

Q. Tell us about you, and your background/ experience

A: I have a horticultural background, and when my family business purchased Carters Vineyard and Winery in Colchester over 20 years ago, I was immersed into the world of viticulture. My vineyard experience is grounded in running all aspects of a vineyard, award-winning winery and tourism destination.

Q. Introduce us to the rest of the team

A: We have our core team based in Essex, Su olk and Hertfordshire. Myself and my father Ben oversee the daily management and vineyard team, with the help of our supervisors Sarah Purkis and Simon Ward.

Sarah is studying for her Crop Technician quali cation at Plumpton and has many years of experience in the wine and hospitality trade. Simon worked as our vineyard and winery tour guide before joining us to work in the vines and supervise the team. Jenny Taylor has a background in botany and runs our operations and establishment, alongside working on her family’s beef farm with its own micro-vineyard. And of course, we must not forget Tilly and Inca, the vineyard dogs!

We have a team of 15 people working in the vines seasonally, with more joining us at busy times. As a registered labour provider, I am particularly proud to have recruited our vineyard team locally, many of whom have now been with us for several seasons. It is great to see so many people keen to be involved in the industry and to train in viticultural techniques.

Q. Why did you decide to set up your own management company?

A: The management company was a natural progression. Landowners in the region realised the potential of diversifying and planting vines; they wanted advice, and did not want to run the vineyards themselves. From this, the management company was born.

Q. What do you think are the primary challenges for growers, both those considering starting out and for the more seasoned growers?

A: For those starting out, an increasingly dry climate produces both opportunities and challenges. Factoring in the potential need for irrigation is important, as is investing time in selecting the correct rootstock and grape varieties for that particular site.

For seasoned growers, the pricing of grapes is key – especially for those in longer contracts. It is why we like to facilitate a strong and honest relationship directly between the grower and winery. A good relationship between the vineyard owner and winery is absolutely critical from the start.

Where do you see the UK viticulture industry going in the next 20 years?

A: In the next 20 years I believe we will see a dramatic growth in the East and with it, new wines coming on to the market. There are so many opportunities for brands and wineries with the growth in wine tourism and we will see the development of a distinct Eastern wine region.

Q. What do you consider to be the most importance piece of advice you could offer to a new grower in the UK viticulture industry?

A: Know what you want to achieve from your vineyard, whether this is a wine brand, tourism, grape sales, making your own wine or using a contract winery. All these need consideration and feed into vineyard design, grape selection and management. Obviously, as the vineyard matures, the business may develop, but careful consideration from the outset will help to ensure future sustainability and success.

Q. Who do you most admire/respect in the industry and why?

A: I spent time in New Zealand in the late 90s and was impressed by what they had achieved in a relatively short time, and the quality of their wines. The growth we are seeing in planting and wine tourism in the UK has the same feel of what New Zealand have achieved. It is an exciting time for the UK wine industry.

Fruit & Vine spoke with Tom Bunting, owner of vineyard management company TBVM, to nd out more about his business ethos