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Facts from the Field: #24
Tools and Tips from Rainbow Ag
IN THIS ISSUE:
Vine Mealybug Alert!
According to University of California cooperative extension in Sonoma County the vine mealybug was recently found in Sonoma County vineyards. Up until now this pest had never been seen in the North Coast. According to Rhonda Smith, Viticulture Farm Advisor, "It is very important that growers know how to recognize and look for infestations of vine mealybug and notify the Agricultural Commissioner if you believe you have seen the insect."
The vine mealybug, (plancooccus ficus Signoret), not to be confused with the grape mealybug, is not native to North America, yet it is quickly moving to grape growing regions in California. The pest was first identified in the state in 1994 in the Coachella Valley vineyards. These vineyards are now totally infested. In 1998 it was in Kern and it was found in the following year in Fresno county. Santa Barbara and San Louis Obispo were identified in 2000 and 2001 respectively. In early August of this year the pest was discovered in the southern end of Sacramento County and a week or so later it turned up in two Somona county vineyards and a find in Napa County was confirmed. Movement by equipment remains the more common method.
To find out more about the Vine Mealybug, visit the :
UC Pest Management Guidelines.
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POST HARVEST SPECIAL!
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Kawasaki Bayou 250 ATV
Just $2995
4 units in stock only
GREAT FINANCING
0 Down
0 Payments
0 Interest
until July 2003
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Read what Off-Road Magazine has to say about the Bayou 250
For more information on
these units, call:
Todd in Calistoga (707) 942-4566
Barbara in Lakeport (707) 279-0550
Or call one of Rainbow's field reps:
Jim Munson, Lake/Northern Mendocino
(707) 468-6549 (pager)
munsonjim@netscape.net
Bob Mitrovich, Napa/Sonoma/Mendocino
(707) 316-2108 (pager)
BobMitro@aol.com
Jerry Smith, Napa/Sonoma
(707) 324-1940 (pager)
jvsmithbow@aol.com
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 Jim Mayfield Reports:
Put Yourself In The Drivers Seat
Let's face it, the market for wine grapes is soft. For some varieties in some locations, no market exists. Some growers are unable to sell their grapes and others have lowered their price. Wineries are in the driver's seat and they are demanding. Efficient operators will survive this dip and these operators will be prepared to prosper when the cycle swings back up. The growers that continue to invest in technology and equipment to lower their operating costs are the ones that will zoom back.
On the bright side, growers are not alone. Many of our ag suppliers are feeling the pinch. John Deere is currently offering the best incentives and financing I have ever seen in the past twenty years of operation. Dealer inventory is high and growers can put themselves in the driver's seat. If your fleet is tired and you are looking at significant repairs, maybe it is time to trade. If your new narrow plantings require a new tractor this spring, do it now. Deere's fiscal year ends October 24th and they have great financing along with great discounts on equipment. This coincides with Rainbow's huge rental fleet returning. There is no better time of year to buy! Here are some financing examples:
0.9% 36 months (variable rate)
1.6% 36 months (fixed rate)
1.9% 60 months (variable rate)
2.9% 60 months (fixed rate)
This promotion ends 10/24/02
If you don't want to finance, John Deere is offering significant cash discounts as well. No cash. investigate a lease. Of course a good price and financing is important, but it is only part of the value package. We use the tag line in our advertising, "Experience the Difference." If you are a current Rainbow customer, you know what that means. If you have partnered with another dealership, I ask you to give Rainbow a chance at your business. You can be assured that we will work hard to earn it.
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Tony Parra:
Calistoga Master Service Technician
We don't use the title "Master Technician" loosely. It is difficult to define what makes up a master technician. It implies someone that is the best at what they do. No matter how it is defined, Tony Parra, a Rainbow Ag Calistoga technician, fits the title well.
With over 21 years servicing farm equipment in Napa County, Tony has been with Rainbow Ag for seven years. Tony has attended "more factory training than you can count." He has been through the Kubota, John Deere, Same, Nairn and Gregoire harvester programs. This manufacturer training is backed up with hydraulic, electrical and air conditioning system certification. Tony says, "If it is equipment in a vineyard, I can fix it." You will find Tony operating from the Rainbow Ag mobile service truck most of the time. According to Tony, "Customers like it when I can drive on to their vineyard, diagnose and fix the problem without moving the equipment."
Tony lives in Napa with his wife Lucy. (Last May Tony got married, but he forgot to tell the rest of the Rainbow crew until July!) He enjoys golf, water skiing, fishing, hiking, classic cars, camping and travel. Tony has a way of surprising the Calistoga staff and his customers. Be on the look out for his custom "self-cut" haircuts (he comes up with some interesting styles).
If you have a piece of equipment that needs attention, contact our service departments (phone numbers below). We can fix it in the field or move it to our repair facility. With luck, maybe Tony will show up sporting one of his new "self-cuts." But you might have to ask him to remove his hat.
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At Rainbow Agricultural Services, our primary interest is providing great
service to our customers. If you have questions or comments, or if there is any way we can serve you better, please e-mail us at:
facts@rainbowag.com
Your privacy is very important to us.
If you would like to "unsubscribe" from this newsletter, please let us know
by e-mailing:
offthelist@rainbowag.com
We will remove your address from our mailing list as soon as possible.
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
www.rainbowag.com
Copyright © 2001 Rainbow Agricultural Services
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Previous issues of
Facts from the Field
23) Cover Crop Seminar Review
Rainbow's Keith Shields and Lory McAsey share what the learned at this informative workshop.
22) Monitoring Soil Moisture
With good soil-moisture monitoring place, you can irrigate only when needed.
21) Let in the Light
Open the vine canopy to improve grape quality.
20) Reducing Drift: Part 2
More on how to increase spray efficiency.
19) Reducing Drift: Part 1
Learn how to increase spray efficiency.
18) Fighting Frost, Protecting Profits
Don't be caught off guard by spring frosts.
17) Power-Beyond Hydraulics
Care and preventative maintenance for your hydraulic equipment.
16) Maintaining Peak Performance
Tips to make your tractor service maintenance easier.
15) Don't be Stopped Cold
Cold northern blasts periodically sweep through our region. Prevent freeze damage to your irrigation system.
14) Protect Your Equipment from Theft
At season's end, it's nice to pull your equipment in and walk away knowing it'll be ready to go at the end of the rainy season. But, will it?
13) Profit from Finance Know-How: Part 2
Rainbow reviews two of four basic financing strategies for making a major equipment purchases.
12) Profit from Finance Know-How: Part 1
The first two of four basic financing strategies for making a major equipment purchases are reviewed.
11) Growing Soil Nutrition
Glenn T. McGourty, Viticulture and Plant Science Advisor for UCCE, shares important considerations for cover cropping in North Coast vineyards.
10) A New Spray Technology Charges into Town
Rainbow Ag offers demonstrations of the latest revolution in spray technology.
9) An Ounce of Prevention...
Keep your vineyard equipment ready for the job time after time with regular, seasonal maintenance.
8) Establishing Your Reputation as a Good Neighbor
New spraying practices minimize the potential for harm and promote profitability.
7) Picking for Premium Quality
We're predicting that, in the years ahead, winemakers will be asking for mechanically harvested grapes.
6) Adjusting the Volume to Low
Discover the benefits of low volume spraying.
5) Maintain an Open Canopy
Improve grape quality by letting the sun shine in.
4) Pump Up the Power!
Find out how to save money by becoming your own power provider.
3) Mulch Mower Cuts Costs
Chris Grow mowers' design works well with the new inter-row management systems.
2) Water Quality:
The Life-Blood of a Premium Harvest
Learn about our free water quality test.
1) Seminar Spotlights
Tools of the Trade
The event has already taken place, but this bulletin also features useful information about narrow vineyard tractors. from SAME.
A) Check List Prices Online, Then Call Rainbow!
Configure or accessorize a tractor on John Deere's website.
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