Food Industry
Industry: Email Alert RSS FeedMidwest faces special threats: Multi-state event addresses herbicide drift and more
Wines & Vines, Sept, 2008 by Loretta Sorensen
Northwest Missouri--Midwest grapegrowers are almost certain to experience herbicide drift during their growing season. Herbicides control weeds, and grapes are especially sensitive to herbicides commonly used on other crops.
Drift occurs when herbicide is blown into neighboring acreage, injuring sensitive plants. If injury is repeated or severe, drift can reduce yields and result in poor fruit quality--occasionally even killing vines.
Most RecentFood Articles
"As we've studied our vineyards, we've documented instances of herbicide drift," Dr. Paul Domoto, professor of horticulture at Iowa State University, told attendees at a recent Multi-State Viticulture Field Day. Hosted by the University of Missouri, the event drew about 150 industry members and academics, who toured vineyards and heard researchers from the University of Missouri, Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "Usually, the growing season is well under way before herbicide drift becomes a problem," Domoto observed. "However, we were surprised to note that we had herbicide drift damage at one of our sites very early last year."
Injury symptoms usually appear within 48 hours of the drift incident, including fan-shaped leaves with sharp points at leaf margins, downward bending leaves, leaf strapping with deep sinuses, and leaf puckering with constricted veins. Injuries from fall herbicide applications affect vine roots.
Domoto also talked about variety selection for Midwestern vineyards. He pointed out that growers must throughly understand many aspects of their sites in order to successfully produce grapes. "You really need to consult researchers in your state or area and take advantage of their scientific data," Domoto stressed. "There are too many variables, such as soil, air flow, herbicide concerns and elevation." States represented at the event included Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Windsandvines.com
Learn more: Search keyword
"Minwestern."
Brought to you by CBS MoneyWatch.com
- Best- and Worst-Paid College Degrees
- 6 Things You Should Never Do on Twitter or Facebook
- How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?
- 6 Big Myths about Gas Mileage
- 5 Rules for Immediate Annuities
- Death in the Family: 12 Things to Do Now
- Dumbest Things You Do With Your Money
- 6 Online Networking Mistakes to Avoid
- 401(k) Mistakes to Avoid
- 5 Economic Scenarios to Keep You Up at Night
- The Real ‘Best Places to Retire’
- Best Credit Cards for You
- 12 Tough Questions to Ask Your Parents
- The Real ‘Best Colleges’
- Home Buyer Tax Credit: How to Cash In
- Why You Shouldn't Bash Cash
- 8 Phony 'Bargains' and Better Alternatives
- Danger: 3 Debit Card Scams to Avoid
- 6 Myths About Gas Mileage
- 29 Fees We Hate Most
- Quick and Easy Ways to Boost Returns
- Best Stocks to Buy Now
- Lower Your Taxes: 10 Moves to Make Now
- New Jobs: 8 Lessons from Real-Life Career Switchers
- The New Job Market: Who Wins and Who Loses?
- Health Care Reform's Public Option: Everything You Need to Know
- Volunteer Work When Unemployed: Should You Work for Free?
- Whose Recovery Is This?
- Long-Term-Care Insurance: 4 Biggest Risks to Avoid
Content provided in partnership with
Most Recent Business Articles
- CORRECTION FROM SOURCE/Media Advisory: Fallen Canadian Soldiers and Journalist Return Home
- Fox Networks Group and Bright House Networks Strike Comprehensive Deal to Distribute Fox Broadcast Stations, National Cable and Regional Sports Networks
- Fox Networks Group and Time Warner Cable Strike Comprehensive Deal to Distribute Fox Broadcast Stations, National Cable and Regional Sports Networks
- Houston Radio D.J. Kevin Kline Completes 500-Mile, 13-Day Ultramarathon Across Texas for Kids with Cancer
- Seaspan Corporation Provides Information on the CSCL Hamburg
Most Recent Business Publications
Most Popular Business Articles
- 7 tips for effective listening: productive listening does not occur naturally. It requires hard work and practice - Back To Basics - effective listening is a crucial skill for internal auditors
- FAS 109: a primer for non-accountants - Financial Accounting Standards Board's "Statement 109: Accounting for Income Taxes"
- LIFO vs. FIFO: a return to the basics
- Using object-oriented analysis and design over traditional structured analysis and design
- Design a commission plan that drives sales - Sales Commissions


