Welcome and AnnouncementsOur annual IPM Field Day is coming up August 3rd at Shone Farm, 8:00 AM.Review Cooperator’s Blocka) Russian River Appellation—Host Dennis Devitt at Laguna Ranch A few mildew issues in Cotati where there were sprayer issues earlier. The use of Kaligreen has cleaned up the infections. Dennis will be using the higher rate of Pristine at bunch closure for botrytis protection. A discussion regarding spray materials that can be used to help budbreak: Dormax is being tried by one grower, and others have used Even Break. The latter product’s active ingredient is nitrogen and has a companion product, Fast Break. Dennis has tried Even Break and saw no difference.b) Sonoma Valley Appellation—Host Tom Gore, Pat Herron, Diane Kenworthy at Barricia VineyardSpot irrigation on the drier areas has begun. Next week full block irrigation will begin. Mildew was found on one berry on one cluster on an end vine. Check for armillaria (oak root fungus) if vines suddenly collapse with the onset of irrigation. On the rootstock look for soft rot, a faint fungal odor, and small white mycelial fans.c) Dry Creek Valley Appellation—Host Richard Rued at Rued VineyardRichard reported that this is the first time in 10 years that he has not had mildew. Initial sprays were oil, copper, then oil + Rally followed by two applications of Pristine emphasizing coverage with high volume and slow tractor speed. Regarding botrytis, the trellis and training system can affect incidence, with more open systems reducing pressure by reducing fruit density and providing better spray coverage. With tight clustered clones and varieties, increasing the number of clusters may reduce tightness, but must be balanced against fruit crowding. Some folks use foliar calcium sprays to help strengthen berry skins and reduce rot infections.d) Alexander Valley Appellation—Host Dana Grande at Jordan VineyardDana is seeing mildew in three blocks. One looks like a holdover from a late infection last year, another is on cabernet on a quad, and the third is a young block on a quad system. Treating with oil to eradicate.Focus Points Powdery Mildew: So far, relatively light incidence of mildew this year throughout the county. After berries reach 6 degrees brix, they are no longer susceptible to new mildew infections. Established infections will continue to grow until about 13 degrees brix. Mildew will continue to grow on stems, peduncles, rachises, etc. Zinfandel is notorious for this. Pacific Mites – Populations increasing with temperature. Predators seem more abundant, particularly predaceous mites, perhaps due to better humidity than usual. Some folks are seeing thrips numbers coming up, too. Mealybugs – Dennis will be using Applaud for vine mealybug in Cotati. There was no obvious difference between Neemix and Applaud in one side-by-side comparison that Laura put out against grape mealybug. A local beetle predator that resembles Cryptolaemus montrouzieri, the mealybug destroyer beetle, has been seen eating grape, obscure and vine mealybugs in the Russian River area. Two neonicotinoid products can be applied through the drip system, Venom and Admire. Venom is recommended for heavier soils and Admire for lighter. Heads up Measles – Pruning wound protection is an important part of managing this disease. For this coming pruning season, think of eutypa and apply similar strategies. Some work by Gubler has indicated that pruning wounds are susceptible to the measles (aka black goo, Petri disease and young vine decline) spores for a longer time than to eutypa spores. One management strategy is double pruning, leaving long stubs to be pruned down to appropriate length when dry weather prevails. A variation on this theme can be used for major pruning cuts such as made when removing dead cordon wood, with a rough cut being made at a convenient time during the winter, and a final cut down to clean wood being made late spring/early summer when risk of infection is very low.Fruit and/or foliar symptoms will be showing up soon. Infected vines can show symptoms in some years and not others. Look for raisined clusters, purple spotted or blotched fruit, and symptoms like magnesium deficiency on leaves. Can be confused with Pierce’s disease, but PD symptoms almost always appear later, in August, and the fruit is not spotted or blotched. Remember diseases are not mutually exclusive. You may have both PD and measles! Botrytis – Canopy management is your friend. Dense canopies and fruit zones indicate a high botrytis risk this year. Joan Patrick is doing mechanical leafing on 45 acres. Merits and downsides of mechanical pulling vs. mechanical blowing were discussed. Regardless of system, a good driver is a key point. Some folks are trying various brands of seaweed extract as a botrytis material. Dave Collin is already seeing more botrytis this year than ever before. Pierce’s Disease – Fall symptoms will be showing up next month. Grape Leafhoppers – Early season populations generally light, but can build up in this second and coming third generations. Keep an eye out for increasing damage and balance the need for canopy with approaching harvest.Adjourn - Thanks for coming!