Grapegrowers could save thousands using mechanical harvesters to prevent disease

A new disease prevention strategy could save grapegrowers thousands of dollars and improve the efficiency of their sprays. Following the massive 2008 harvest, a Marlborough grower approached New Zealand Winegrowers to ask them to research the use of machine harvesters in controlling crop levels, something he had seen in Australia. The idea was that harvesters would beat the vines, causing them to drop bunches of grapes to reduce the overall yield, but something unexpected happened: it also significantly reduced the risk of botrytis.