Yolo Wine Grapes
Location:
Yolo, California
Leading Harvest Program User:
Rod Schaeffer, AgIS Property Management
Size of Operation:
2700 Acres
Crop Type:
Wine Grapes and Olives
Objective 4. Crop Protection
To achieve crop protection objectives while protecting people and the environment.
Relevant Indicators
Integrated Pest Management:
Standard users shall protect crops against pests by implementing an Integrated Pest Management program that uses regional agricultural best management practices to achieve crop protection objectives.
Indicator 4.1.2. Crop Protection:
A process for preventing excessive crop loss from pests, crop protectant resistance and buildup and spread of pests.
Leading Harvest Indicators at Work
Grazing sheep control weeds in the vineyard and therefore reduce herbicide use on the property.
“Did you know?”
Rod discovered the effectiveness of their unique weed control by chance, saying “A few years ago, after a very wet winter and spring, where we struggled to get into the fields to spray herbicides, we thought we would try sheep on a portion of the vineyard. It was very successful, and we’ve been using them throughout the vineyard ever since.”