Dynamic Lifter: an organic solution for vineyards
Faced with a continuing decline in vine vigour that was compounding with each dry year, Derek Smith, Vineyard Manager at Tallavera Grove, Mount View in the NSW Hunter Valley was looking to revitalise a few of the worst performing blocks. With his Semillon vines only producing 40cm of growth in the 2002 season and yielding less than 1 T per acre, he needed to increase both vigour and yield.
Under the advice of Robert Thomson, Horticultural Specialist with Elders Rutherford, Derek applied Dynamic Lifter in August, prior to budburst at the rate of 1 Tonne per Hectare (400 Kg/ Acre). This was a departure from his traditional practice of a full chemical fertiliser regime. “I am not a full organic grower and will still supplement throughout the season with Potassium Nitrate and Calcium Nitrate through the drippers” Mr Smith said. “We decided to try Dynamic Lifter in our program as a way of adding Organic Matter at the same time as increasing soil health. We have previously tried other products including raw manure but have not had the same results.”
After the results achieved in the 2003 season, which included sustained and even growth, leaf size and colour and the resulting good wood that was available for the following year, Smith has applied Dynamic Lifter to all of his white varieties each year. “I found that the Sauvignon Blanc ripened more consistently and produced better overall quality fruit last year after using Dynamic Lifter” Smith said.
On observing the results on his neighbours vines, Ross Drayton from Cedar Side Vineyard decided that he would try to resurrect some of his vines, in particular a block of Chardonnay that he was looking to replace due to poor performance. “We used 1 T bags of Dynamic Lifter and banded it along the rows with great results” Drayton said. “The vines look great and I will also have plenty of good wood for next season”.
Drayton has also applied Dynamic Lifter on Peterson’s Vineyard at Mt View, where he manages the vineyard. It was used on the “Old Block Shiraz” vines that are over 40 years old, with marked improvement in vine health this season.
Both Smith and Drayton will continue to include Dynamic Lifter in their program and with input cost as important as ever, money spent must be justified and based on the results achieved. “When Robert gave us the pricing on 1 T bags I was surprised as I thought it was dearer. The cost is important and we may look at buying in bulk truck loads next year to save even more” Smith said.