Vineyards of the future

Wine industry experts have been given the chance to see for themselves the future of vineyard technology in action.

A collaborative show day at the Pernod Ricard vineyard at Woodbourne last week was popular with people from across the industry.

Some of the most technological advances available in the sector were put through their paces.

From robotic tractors and trimming technology to cutting edge sprayers, there was plenty to see.

BA Pumps and Sprayers showed off their Smart Apply Sprayer, a world first Marlborough-made autonomous vineyard tractor OXIN by Smart Machine, and the range of Collard vineyard trimming technology.

BA founders Mark and Guy Randel joined National Sales Manager Paul France and Pernod Ricard’s David Allen.

Mark says prototypes of the technologically advance sprayer are already in action at Pernod Ricard and have been making a big impact.

COLLARD’s foliage trimmers and Smart Machine’s autonomous tractors fill a gap, he says.

“We started a family-based business in Hautapu in the Waikato because we saw a hole in the agritech market, and the new range of more economically efficient agricultural has always been key to what we do.

“COLLARD is a French family-focus business, so their mentality matches ours.

“The relationship has been really strong to cover all needs of vineyard managers with our sprayers and their defoliators and trimmers – and we love to see the newest top-of-the-line additions to the agritech space especially being made locally in Marlborough.”

Sales Manager Paul France says moves being made in the viticultural technology space are impressive.

The businesses tie in with each other to make the industry more efficient and environmentally minded.

“The Smart Sprayer applies uses Smart Apply LiDAR sensor technology to sense and detect the canopy and assess foliage density, before adjusting each spray nozzle to ensure it only sprays where required,” he explains.

“It reduces drift, saves agrichemicals and results in less waste than conventional sprayers especially early in the season, because as it travels through the vines the LiDAR sensor tells the sprayer which nozzles turn on rather than consistent even spraying.”

“The addition of sensor technology is a huge win for both the environment and the business’s bottom line”.

Since starting Pernod Ricard trials three years ago, Viticulture Transformation Manager David Allen has been impressed with the new technology.

“We’ve been keeping an eye on sensor sprayer technology so being a part of BA’s product development just made sense to us and it’s been great to see it progress,” David says.

“We also liked the attention to detail and commitment to health and safety features for our operators – like the sensors can be lowered for cleaning rather than having to climb up to reach them.”

Spayer development has seen ground-breaking efficiency in terms of time, money and chemical usage.

“We’ve seen has been groundbreakingly efficient - the field tests using the three-row sprayer showed an impressive +30 per cent reduction in chemical usage compared to conventional sprayers.

“We’ve ordered three more Smart Apply system for the Vintage 2024 season and our testing will continue to monitor the performance of the sprayers throughout their life so we can get a fuller picture of their effectiveness.”

The day’s focus on mechanisation and efficiency extended to Marlborough’s own innovative agritech sector and Smart Machine’s new OXIN autonomous vineyard tractor.

“It’s a real all-in-one”, said Smart Machine product designer Andrew Kersley.

“The OXIN works the same way as a driven tractor, but operators can simultaneously control multiple machines at once either from on site, or remotely by using its navigation sensors setting it to mow, mulch, trim and spray in a single row pass in pre-planned missions’ night and day.

“It gives growers flexibility like none other, with the balance of getting the grunt work done even if the weather isn’t playing ball or vineyard hands aren’t available”.

Nineteen OXIN are currently at work in vineyards around Marlborough, with the team eager to speak with prospective or existing owners about adding to the all-in-one capabilities.

“We pride ourselves on our support and innovation so when our growers approach us with new ideas, we approach it as new exciting challenge,” Andrew says.

With BA, COLLARD and Smart Machine working hand in encouraging an overall more efficient viticultural future, Marlborough is taking a leading role in the technological development of the industry.