Irrigation in 2008 - HELP! (Part 2)

Issue:

2007 - Growers had extreme dry weather challenges.
2008 - Growers are facing extreme wet conditions in July up to the 29th - 95.8 mm at Vineland, 167.8 mm at Grimsby (68.1 mm is the 85 year average for July).

NEW - Irrigation Monitoring Demonstration Project for 2008
(Funded by OMAFRA and NPF&VGA and assisted by Weather Innovations Inc.)
2 grape and 2 peach sites located in Niagara-on-the-Lake and Vineland areas are being monitored in 2008 using C-Probe soil moisture sensors.

Objectives:

1. To identify gaps of irrigation information for growers;
   
   • when to irrigate, how much to irrigate, follow up scheduling
     
   • identify if the application is sufficient or surplus
     
   • introduce growers to new irrigation monitoring technology through on site demonstrations, newsletter articles and presentations
     
2. To provide site-specific information at 4 different grower locations in the Niagara Peninsula that would act as hub sites; and
   
3. To provide information to all growers through the Weather INnovations Incorporated (WIN) website available at www.weatherinnovations.com, newsletter articles and code-a-phones on the timing and how much water to use based on the hub site in their area.

Murphy's Law!

As is often the case, if you start an irrigation project, you are guaranteed plenty of rain for that season. What appeared to be another dry season is now turning out to be one of the wettest in some areas, especially west of St. Catharines.

Stay Tuned

It appears at this point in the season the grape growers will not likely need to irrigate for the remainder of the season. Most of the tender fruits should be ok too, but continue to monitor your own fields if we do not get adequate rainfall. Irrigation can still be beneficial at fruit swell for the late season peaches and pears. Growers will need to stay tuned by connecting to the WIN website, code-a-phone and reading updates in the "Tender Fruit Grape Vine" newsletter. 2008 will be a learning year but it should provide some useful information.

Learn more:

• Irrigation in 2008 - HELP!
• How to access weather data from the Irrigation Monitoring Demonstration Project