St. Catharines, Ontario - Weather variability and climate change continues to be a challenge in grape growing regions across Ontario. The Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO) through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), a five-year federal-provincial-territorial agreement, are pleased to announce the installation of 35 innovative weather stations to address the challenges of changing weather. These state-of-the art weather stations will drive efficiency and assist growers with real-time data and vineyard crop management tools. Plant health research is a key component of the long-term viability of Ontario’s vineyards, and these weather stations will provide the necessary data to develop sustainable vineyard practices.
“Our government is helping to give Ontario growers the support and tools they need to continue to be competitive, world-leaders in quality grapes and wines,” said the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Through this investment, as well as the creation of the Canadian Grapevine Certification Network, and investments in science and best practices for Ontario growers, we continue to support the growth and sustainability of this valuable sector.”
“Ontario grape growers rely on up-to-date information to grow safe, high-quality grapes for the world-renowned wines our province is known for,” said Ernie Hardeman, Minster of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “Our government is proud to support this innovative resource that will provide key information to growers to help them be even more productive and profitable.”
Not only will this new innovative technology allow growers to adapt to increasing weather variability, the project provides growers with a new tool through the online database management system, eGrape, to help manage stability in harvest quality.
“We are grateful to the province and the federal government for supporting this innovative project through the Canadian Agriculture Partnership to bring real time weather data to our growers. Being able to respond quickly to weather events will allow our growers to adapt to our changing climate and improve grape production” said Matthias Oppenlaender, Chair of Grape Growers of Ontario.
Moving forward, Grape Growers of Ontario will continue to work toward to improving eGrape’s data collection capabilities, and work with all levels of government to further drive innovation and sustainability in the Ontario grape and wine industry.
Source : Grape Growers of Ontario