Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/789891
March 2017 WINES&VINES 33 GRAPEGROWING the chemical in the pesticide that is "active" against the pest. The rest of a pesticide is made of inert ingredients that act as carriers for the pesticide's active ingredient. I first compiled the total pounds of active ingredient applied to wine grape vineyards in Sacramento and San Joaquin counties during the years 1999-2014. I then figured totals for each pesticide group. I began in 1999 because the Lodi Winegrape Commission's sustainable winegrow- ing program made a particular effort to reduce pesticide risk from 1996 to 1998 through grower outreach and education. This effort continued through the development and implementation of the Lodi Winegrower's Workbook in 2000 and culminated with the launch of the Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing program certified by Protected Harvest. To qualify for certification under the Lodi Rules program, a grower's pesti- cide-application program for the year cannot exceed a threshold of pesticide risk points. There are now more than 25,000 acres of Lodi vine- yards certified under the Lodi Rules program. I chose 2014 as the end point because it was the most recent year for which an annual pesticide use report was available for each county. The use of pesticides from each of the three groups in Lodi vineyards has declined signifi- cantly since 1999. The use of those on the Proposition 65 list has declined 81%. The use of herbicides that have the potential to leach into groundwater has declined 62%. The use of pesticides with the potential to be reproduc- tive toxins has declined 89%. The accompany- ing graphs provide details about the annual use of these materials over time. By any mea- sure, this is a dramatic decline in the use of these high-risk pesticides. One factor that has resulted in a decline in the use of high-risk pesticides in Lodi wine grape vineyards is that pesticide registrants (i.e., chemical companies) have been develop- ing low-risk alternatives to the older, higher risk chemistries. The Lodi Winegrape Commis- sion's grower outreach and education program encouraged growers to use less of the higher For your nearest dealer, contact: BRANCHLOK™ Used for lateral training of trellised branches and cordons to 12-14 gauge wire. Branchlok™ is available in three lengths: 2½", 3¼", 3 ¾". Patent No. 4,665,000 Toll-Free: 877-552-4828 909-464-1373 • Fax: 909-464-1603 www.agfast.com WineVineBranchLokAD.qxp_Layout 1 12/1/16 2:50 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 POUNDS OF PESTICIDE APPLIED FOR WHICH THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IS DESIGNATED AS A HIGH RISK TO GROUNDWATER QUALITY 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Data for Sacramento County and San Joaquin County vineyards, according to Pesticide Use Reporting from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Pounds of Active Ingredient Year