Grape winter injury recovery meeting April 24 in southwest Michigan

A Grape Winter Injury Meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. -3 p.m. on April 24, at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Berrien County, 1791 Hillandale Rd, Benton Harbor, MI 49022. Commercial wine, juice and table grape growers are encouraged to attend and learn about vine injury from two severe cold events in January 2019. Topics include training strategies to recover from severe and moderate winter injury, changes to spray programs for the 2019 season, and a discussion on potential funding assistance options for vineyard recovery.

The meeting will be hosted by Michigan State University Extension IPM educator Michael Reinke and small fruit educator Mark Longstroth. Guest speakers include Michigan State University Extension viticulture educator Thomas Todaro, MSU horticulture professor Paolo Sabbatini and USDA Farm Service Agency county executive director Daniel Brauer. The morning portion will be indoor presentations and discussion. Following lunch, the afternoon will be in-field demonstrations on training and recovery strategies. Please dress appropriately.

The meeting is sponsored by the National Grape Cooperative and Michigan Grape Society and is free of charge. Lunch will be provided by the sponsors. Please register before April 23 to provide an accurate lunch count. You can register online or call Mike Reinke at 269-944-1477.

– Michael Reinke, Michigan State University Extension

Vines pruned after winter injury damage. Photo: by Michael Reinke/MSU Extension.