Deluge threatens crops

But vines are strong; for now

BY RACHEL YOUNG AND BLAIR ENSOR

Marlborough grapegrowers are hoping mother nature keeps the rain away, as more downpours could cause the region's flagship vines to become susceptible to disease.

Pecchenino Vineyard Consultants vineyard manager Dominic Pecchenino said the weather following a downpour was more significant than the rain itself.

Wind helped dry out canopies, lowering the risk of disease yesterday afternoon.

"Everything that I have looked at is very clean."

Rain can cause diseases such as botrytis, vine rot and slip skin, all of which can be detrimental to a crop.

"It's cool climate viticulture. It's always what we have to contend with. Mother nature dictates what happens," he said.

Mr Pecchenino said it was normal to get rain in the lead-up to harvest, but he hoped there would not be too many more.

Plant and Food Research figures show 26.4 millimetres of rain fell in Renwick, 24.4mm in Brancott, 15.6mm at Grovetown Park and 17.4mm fell at the Dashwood weather station yesterday.

In total, 32.8mm of rain has fallen so far this month, which is close to the long-term average of 40mm for March.

New Zealand Winegrowers chairman Stuart Smith said there was no evidence of splitting in his Fairhall vineyards, but it could be too soon to tell.

Disease region-wide was at a very low level, he said.

Plant and Food Research scientist Rob Agnew said yesterday's rain was not enough to cause a botrytis infection period. Contract grower Chris Simmonds said the fruit was in such brilliant condition it would take more than one day's rain to have a detrimental effect.

"There will be some splitting of fruit, but I doubt that it will be anything significant."

Richmond Brook owner Andrew Richmond said the steady downpour was a double-edged sword for many farmers who had diversified into grapes. The Awatere was very dry and the pasture was in need of a good dousing to stimulate winter feed crops, but the rain could stimulate botrytis in the property's vineyard.

"I'm torn, I'm never going to be happy."

High country farmer Steve Satterthwaite, who owns Muller Station, said his property, which was extremely dry, had received about 25mm of much-needed rain.

The seasons had been "highly erratic", and the rain had come a little late to expect a lot of autumn growth, he said.

He said many were predicting a tough winter, and any quality feed he could find would be a bonus.

Havelock dairy farmer Tony Sorensen said that before yesterday's rain, his irrigation had been struggling with the dry conditions.

Mr Sorensen's property had recorded up to 37mm of rain, which combined with good soil temperatures, would set the property up for the winter.

"This is a real blessing."

MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said Marlborough could expect hot northwesterly winds tomorrow, but a southerly change would bring showers on Saturday.

After that, there was no rain in the forecast for the foreseeable future, he said.

- The Marlborough Express