Jim Mayfield Reports: Who is Going to Buy My Grapes? In the past weeks, several growers have shared a growing concern with me: Their grapes are ripening, and they still don't have a winery contract. How does a grower maintain profitability and quality with downward pressure on pricing? This unsettled situation demands that growers take a hard look at how they manage their vineyards. How can costs be cut while maintaining the high quality demanded by the winemakers? I am not an expert on growing grapes, but it seems that, in the quest to increase efficiency, technology must play a bigger role. The grower that is going to weather the dip must use this time to make sure that they are a low-cost producer of the highest quality fruit. Certainly, mechanical leaf removal machines, mechanical harvesters and other forward-looking technologies are good ways to address costs. Reducing your labor costs by using the latest in machinery can make a big difference. But, what about the small items? Ask your mechanics if they are taking advantage of our "ship direct" parts program. Save time by having your parts delivered rather than wasting time and money traveling to the dealership. The small freight cost is easily offset by the increase in your efficiency. Contract with Rainbow's service departments for maintenance and repairs. Weigh this against the cost of having a mechanic on your payroll. Be sure to include indirect costs like payroll taxes, insurance, supervision etc. Are you set up with a Rainbow Ag/John Deere Internet parts account? If not, log on to http://jdparts.deere.com. This handy service gives you access to part schematics and price lists, and you can easily order your parts over the Internet. Select Rainbow Ag as your parts department and see how fast we can deliver what you need, when you need it, where you need it. You won't have to leave your vineyard. What about vehicles? Have you thought about what it costs to maintain, license and insure a ranch truck? If the vehicle is used on the ranch and does not travel on public roads, use a Kawasaki ATV or John Deere Gator. Take a look at the small things. Ask yourself, "Why am I running my operations the way I do?" If your answer is, "Because that's how I have always done it," it may be time to take a closer look. You might find that many small adjustments can stack up into sizable savings. Jim Mayfield President, Rainbow Ag mayfield@rainbowag.com

An Ounce of Prevention When you buy a piece of equipment, you want it to work. You rely on it, this time and every time. When it comes to small equipment breakdowns, trimmers, splitters and chain saws will run better, and longer, if you maintain them properly. When you buy an expensive piece of equipment like a tractor or harvester, your big investment in dollars keeps you interested in regular and timely maintenance. But, if they're going to be ready for the job time after time, small equipment requires regular, seasonal maintenance. To help you keep field operations running smoothly, Rainbow is offering this short list of maintenance reminders: Change the oil and filters every 50-100 hours Check, then tighten, any loose bolts, nuts and screws Check and adjust tension on belts or chain Check pull cords for fraying Use the recommended fuel mix Clean the unit of debris after each use Doing periodic maintenance won't keep a hard-working machine running forever, but it will keep it on the job longer, saving you money in down time and replacement costs. When its time for a tune-up, Rainbow has an excellent service department. Our team will check spark plugs, sharpen blades, lubricate bearings and replace worn belts. At Rainbow, we take pride in the skill of our mechanics. We train them well and we think they help you be more effective. If you want professional advice about setting up a high performance maintenance program, call our service departments. In Ukiah, 462-2404; in Calistoga, at 942-4566.

Tom Carkin Service Manager: Rainbow, Ukiah Tom Carkin learned 4-stroke technology at his Dad's side. Beginning when he was 9 years old, he worked in his dad's shop, and went on to high school mechanics. At Rainbow, he began working on the technical side, but his strong skills and sense of customer service earned him a position managing the department. Having the Right Tool Running In early June, everybody and their brother brought stalling mowers and string trimmers in for service. Over 200 hundred found their way into Rainbow for repair. Surprised? Tom isn't. After years in the business, he's seen the pattern repeat over and over again: Most people don't get ahead of the game by getting their tools ready until they need them. Big mistake! Even with 5 full-time technicians, competition for time becomes severe. Who wants to wait two weeks when the weeds need whacking right now? Tom points out that the it's the people who brought their mower in during March that are home right now, knocking down the weeds that have begun to bolt. Tom's Top Two-Stroke Tool Tip Empty the gas tank! If you don't use it for a month or more; empty it. If you actually do this, you might not even need to bring your mower or trimmer in next year. About 90% of the time, it is varnish build-up from old gasoline that has your mower or trimmer running rough. You'll save yourself hassle and cash by doing this simple task. Next time you walk through the door of Ukiah's service department, say "Hi" to Tom. He's ready to handle your problems, as quickly has possible. Don't have time to come in? Call Tom at 462-2404 and let him send a driver out for pick-up and delivery.

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RAINBOW AGRICULTURAL SERVICES

UKIAH: 235 E Perkins St., 95482, Ph. (707) 462-2404, Fax 707-462-3627
CALISTOGA: 810 Foothill Blvd., 94515, Ph. (707) 942-4566, Fax 707-942-9668
NOVATO: 7546 Redwood Blvd., 94945, Ph. (415) 892-1030, Fax 415-893-1481
LAKEPORT: 1975 Argonaut Rd., 95453, Ph. (707) 279-0550, Fax 707-279-0594

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