The Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission (LWWC) established an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program in 1992. The objectives of this program were to:
- Reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals in winegrape production, through LWWC-sponsored research, seminars and demonstrations.
- Develop a district-wide integrated pest management program.
- Have 100% of area growers using most if not all of the following IPM techniques: monitoring pest populations, planting cover crops, using reduced-risk pesticides, mechanical weed control, leaf removal, compost use, enhancing beneficial insect activity, and creating or maintaining habitat for raptors and other wildlife in and around the vineyard.
- Enhance the high level of wine quality in the district.
The evolution of LWWC´s IPM program is best viewed as a series of stages. The first stage of LWWC´s IPM program was the development of a grower outreach program. Its purpose is to familiarize LWWC growers and Pest Control Advisors (PCAs) about the IPM approach to managing pests and show them IPM techniques that can be used in their vineyards. The second stage in the development of LWWC´s IPM program is field implementation. Once growers and PCAs become familiar with IPM strategies the next step is for them to try some of these strategies in their vineyards to see if they are effective and affordable.
The third stage of LWWC´s IFP program is expanding the program from the core group of growers and PCAs to the entire district. In other words, the adoption of an area-wide integrated farming program. This is a big challenge, and in order to be successful, the program needs to be self-motivating and self-perpetuating for the growers. The Lodi Winegrowers Workbook has been developed to meet these challenges.
The Lodi Winegrower´s Workbook is designed to:
- Provide a roadmap from conventional farming to integrated farming.
- Provide educational material for implementing specific integrated farming techniques.
- Provide growers a way to measure the level of adoption of integrated farming on their farms and a way to track improvements.
- Provide the opportunity for adding market value to the winegrape crop through environmental product labeling ("Eco labeling").
- Document the level of integrated farming adoption in the district.
The Lodi-Winegrowers Workbook will provide LWWC growers information to:
- Assist in measuring the level of adoption of integrated farming practices in their vineyards.
- Identify areas of environmental concern on their farms.
- Determine which of these areas they would like to improve upon.
- Develop action plans to address these concerns.
- Implement these action plans
Cliff Ohmart, Ph.D. and Steve Matthaison
Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission Research