Workshop: Estimating crop yield – importance of getting it right

Accurate yield forecasting helps harvest planning and winery logistics and well as benefitting the business and the sales team.

This workshop will include:

• Understanding the components of yield
• How and when to collect data
• Using the data to inform crop regulation decisions
• Interpreting the data to estimate yield
• Yield optimisation
• Equipment and technology needed
• The importance of accurate yield estimation

LOCATION

Everflyht Vineyard, Beacon Rd, Ditchling, Hassocks, East Sussex,  BN6 8XB

TRAINER

Luke Spalding, Viticulturist and General Manager,  Everflyht

Luke is currently the General Manager at Everflyht Vineyards, Sussex where he oversees all aspects of the business, from the vineyard, wine production and sales.

Prior to joining Everflyht, Luke worked at Ridgeview and received the Vine Grower of the Year Award in 2016.  As part of the award, Luke had the opportunity to visit Champagne, Maastricht, and Sweden to meet with fellow growers and expand his knowledge and research cool climate canopy management methods and their impact on crop yields. Research which he expanded on with his Master’s Degree in Viticulture & Oenology and his final research: Improving yield estimation in Vitis vinifera (L.) cv. Pinot Noir.

Luke believes in the power of data-driven decision-making. He and the Everflyht vineyard team actively collect and analyse data sets, benefitting from a robust historical database that informs their strategic choices across the vintages.

His dedication to estimating and forecasting yields has been instrumental in guiding business and operational decisions. Luke has also introduced regenerative practices in the vineyard. Focusing on soil health restoration, vine balance and health, has positively affected the vineyard’s overall productivity and business sustainability.

Luke has contributed to the data analysis of the WineGB post-harvest yield survey in collaboration with Stephen Skelton MW. Luke also holds senior positions within WineGB South East, showcasing his commitment to promoting best practices and fostering collaboration among vineyard professionals.

By removing uncertainty around yield estimation, Luke aims to provide growers with the necessary tools to accurately and reliably forecast their harvest requirements, costs, business operations, and sales.