News from Cornell's Viticulture and Enology Program, March 2019
VIEWPOINT
Developing a viable vineyard workforce for the future
There is a growing shortage of efficient vineyard workers, but there are also solutions available. A focus on the needs of both the vineyard managers and the employees can help create a sustainable workforce in the future.
FACULTY FOCUS
Five Questions for Kaylyn Kirkpatrick
Kaylyn Kirkpatrick joined the Cornell Craft Beverage Institute in August 2018 as the brewing extension associate. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in quality assurance chemistry and other aspects of brewing.
STUDENT FOCUS
Cornell students aim for precision and speed in pruning competition
At the inaugural Felco East Pruning Competition in February, Cornell Viticulture & Enology students braved the elements and got hands-on experience pruning alongside industry experts.
GRAPES 101
This is fine: Wine additives, just passing through
What are fining agents, why are they necessary, and should they be included on the wine label?
AWARDS
Alice Wise receives "Excellence in IPM" Award
Alice Wise, Suffolk County viticulture extension specialist, earned an Excellence in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Award from the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program.
Fruit Coordinator Juliet Carroll receives excellence in IPM award
Dr. Juliet Carroll, Fruit Integrated Pest Management Coordinator, received an Excellence in IPM Award for supporting both the development and implementation of IPM tools in our community.
Alice Wise and Cornell AgriTech recognized with awards from the New York Wine and Grape Foundation
Cornell Cooperative Extension viticulture specialist Alice Wise, received the New York Wine and Grape Foundation’s annual “Unity Award”, while Cornell AgriTech was recognized with its annual “Research Award”.
RESEARCH IN PLAIN ENGLISH
- Single and multiple phenotype QTL analyses of downy mildew resistance in interspecific grapevines
Konstantin Divilov, who graduated from Cornell with a PhD in '17, Paola Barba, and Cornell professors Lance Cadle-Davidson and Bruce Reisch evaluated genetic markers to look for durable downy mildew resistance in grapes. - Yeast Assimilable Nitrogen (YAN) Optimization for Cool-Climate Riesling
Cornell graduate (MS '16) Camila Tahim and enology professor Anna Katharine Mansfield assessed the value of nitrogen supplementation in wines made from Riesling grapes grown in the finger lakes region.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- March 13, Lake Erie Grape Grower Conference, Fredonia State University, Fredonia, NY
- July 16 - 18, ASEV-Eastern Section Annual Meeting, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY
NEWS BRIEFS
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Schumer announces $68.9 million for USDA grape lab at Cornell AgriTech
Thanks to New York Senator Schumer's persistent pursuit of funding, a new federal grape genetics research lab will be built on the AgriTech campus. -
Cornell, Extension help NYS vintners test their metal packaging at annual BEV conference
In a special session at the B.E.V. NY (Business, Enology and Viticulture) conference. attendees learned about the advantages and challenges of packaging wine in cans, while getting to taste some local offerings. -
The Finger Lakes Wine Region of New York State
The Ithaca Voice interviewed enology extension associate Chris Gerling about the Finger Lakes wine industry in this 5-minute video. -
Who's the Best (and Fastest) Pruner in the East?
The pruning competition featured 26 total contestants from three colleges and five vineyards across NY and PA. Read more about Cornell's student competitors in this issue's Student Focus article. -
Wine Business Monthly article highlights Red Blotch Disease ecology and management
The March issue of Wine Business Monthly features recent Red Blotch disease findings by Cornell researchers Elizabeth Cieniewicz, Alice Wise, Tim Martinson and Marc Fuchs, along with UC farm advisors Rhonda Smith and Monica Cooper. - New Everest Seedless grape is big and bold
This Good Fruit Grower article features the most recent table grape release from Cornell's breeding program - the Everest Seedless grape.
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NY’s Concord grape industry to benefit from Cornell program
This Cornell Chronicle article describes New York state’s $1.3 million investment in the Vineyard Improvement Program, announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on December 7. -
Larissa Osterbaan: unraveling the genetic mysteries of grapevine disease
In this profile, Larissa Osterbaan, plant pathology PhD student of Marc Fuchs, answers questions about the her research on interactions between grape fanleaf virus and the host, and why studying at Cornell AgriTech has been a memorable and valuable experience.
FEATURED VIDEO
Spotted Lanternfly Basics for Grape and Apple Industries. This Northeastern IPM project webinar recording addresses what grape and apple growers need to know about the Spotted Lanternfly -- an invasive insect pests established in Pennsylvania, and which last summer was first found in New York state.