Innovations in viticulture TWE

What innovations are TWE currently implementing?

• robotics

• water stewardship

• climate adaptation

• breeding programs

• farming philosophy

What robotic initiatives and automation are TWE looking into? Or currently doing

Signed an agreement with Yamaha with 3 units in NZ 4 units in Aus - remote operated spray system and also aerial spraying drones

As well as this:

• autonomous multifunction applications using tractors, spray units, weed identity and removal, under vine cultivation, precision farming - AI driven imaging, data, analytics, insights

What are the must wins for success when it comes to robotics?

• automation for spraying, herbicide, mowing, pruning, irrigation 

• passive data capture 

i.e., bud numbers, shoot numbers, inflorescence numbers, canopy size

by 2028 TWE wants to have integration with predictive models 

• AI prediction models and insights, assisting management 

yield predictions and drivers, harvest time and prediction and drivers, quality predictions and drivers 

PLUS MUCH MORE
Kc - evapotranspiration and water use/loss, variable rate application, pests and diseases 

Why did they decide to do a case study with drones?

too muddy for robots driving through winter/spring so drones were implemented - only effective early in season when canopy is smaller 

As for their breeding programs, what are the main focuses?

Consistent yield, improved quality, resilience to climate change, disease resistance, less use/reliance on agrochemicals, reduction in carbon emissions

What are some of the opportunities in the breed program space?

low sugar/alcohol, improving flowering (esp. cool climates), phylloxera resistance, botrytis resistance, eutypa resistance, grapevine virus resistance

In terms of climate adaptation, what are some adaptation responses?

• modified irrigation in response to heat waves

• vineyard floor management practices - aimed at retaining soil moisture

• use sun reflective particles

• modified canopy management - i.e., delay pruning or source/sink ratio

• modify vineyard design - row orientation and trellising

• use of alternative varieties/rootstocks

• establishment of vineyards in cooler regions

In response to this they put an entire vineyard in a net, with the value proposition of:

• temp regulation

• sunburn and pest protection

• improved fruit quality and wine composition

• water conservation

• climate resilience

In the context of water stewardship, what are the main activities looked at by TWE?

• smart water metering - vineyard flow meters

• smart irrigation - SWAN systems - scheduling irrigation based on Kc and temp

• dam covers and lining - can loose 15-20% in evaporation

• winery waste water

What are TWE doing in their farming philosophy?

• focus on sustainable ag

• reduce dependency on agrochems

• increase biodiversity

• promote soil health

• capture and store SOC

• adaptation to climate change