Modern Wine Production: Tackling Steep Vineyard Challenges with Drones
- *
Aeronautical innovation to safeguard endangered vineyard slopes: details on the novel drone technology - Aerial assistance for endangered wine grape species via innovative drone technology
Wine production on steep slopes, an iconic and crucial aspect of the Mosel region, is facing a predicament. The labor-intensive and risky nature of these vineyards, combined with frequent accidents, has led to high production costs, making these sites less attractive to winemakers. Yet, several of these steep slopes belong to the most valuable wine-growing sites in the region.
The Mosel, home to the world's largest contiguous steep vineyard area, has been grappling with winemakers handing over plots for years. At the Middle Rhine, well-known steep slopes that attract tourists have already vanished.
Drones may be the answer to this challenge. With growing optimism among experts, a new agricultural drone from China, known as the DJI Agras T50, has been gaining attention. Recently granted nationwide approval for plant protection, this drone promises significant advancements in vineyard management on steep slopes.
Norbert Müller, head of the DLR (German Aerospace Center) Mosel's Service Centre for Rural Areas, shares his enthusiasm: "Drones are the game-changer to safeguard the existence of our steep vineyard winemakers." He emphasizes that the T50 is a giant leap forward from the previous model, following a presentation of the drone over vineyards in Bernkastel-Kues.
The DLR has implemented advanced technological features such as drift measurement for deviation from the intended course, making the T50 drone suitable for plant protection.
FAQs:
Where are steep vineyards found typically?
A vineyard slope must have at least 30 percent incline, as explained by the German Wine Institute. About 14 percent of the vineyard area in Germany, around 14,000 hectares, falls into this category, making it an essential winemaking location. The largest areas are found in Rhineland-Palatinate, on the Mosel and Middle Rhine. In addition to Rhineland-Palatinate, steep vineyards can be found in other federal states, such as Baden-Württemberg, Baden-Ortenau, and Durbach, as well as along the Neckar, Hesse, the Pfalz, Franconia, and Saxony. In Europe, they can be found predominantly in the Portuguese Douro Valley and the Italian Trentino.
Advantages of Drones in Viticulture
The primary reason clear-air application of fungicides is crucial for viticulture in steep and very steep slopes in Rhineland-Palatinate and other federal states is the requirement for careful vine protection at specific locations. For the past three years, drones have been flying over vineyards for spraying, especially on the Mosel, with more area added annually. DLR expert Müller notes that around 200 hectares of the approximately 3,200 hectares of steep slopes still have room for improvement.
Drones are comparable to ground-supported technology regarding drift behavior, and they are more precise than a tractor or helicopter. This precision is particularly vital near residential areas or bodies of water.
What can the DJI Agras T50 do?
The DJI Agras T50 drone works more efficiently and effectively in managing vineyard spray booms due to features like a larger tank capacity (40 liters compared to the previous model T30) and a new technology that utilizes modern rotating atomizers instead of injection nozzles, which can hold only a limited amount of liquid.
This shift allows for a significant increase in the flow rate, from around 7 liters per minute to up to 24 liters per minute, while the liquid now flows through rotation, not pressure. The T50 also generates exact 3D flight paths automatically for increased accuracy.
Criticism and Discussion
Some winemakers express concerns over the time factor required for drone spraying. For example, winemaker Stefanie Vornhecke from Senheim on the Mosel highlights that a helicopter covers an area in one and a half hours, while it would take two days to treat the same area with drones. Moreover, drones might not be suitable for steep slopes without a landing place, such as the Brenner Calmont, Europe's steepest vineyard.
The managing director of the Mosel wine association, Ansgar Schmitz, feels that drone technology is essential for large-scale steep slope viticulture preservation. Regarding the German Environmental Aid's complaints about helicopter spraying and the threatened Apollo butterfly, Schmitz suggests the new drone could be a possible compromise.
Environmental Concerns
Jürgen Resch from the German Environmental Aid (DUH) is concerned that the steep slope viticulture, an essential aspect of the Mosel's cultural landscape, should be preserved with consideration of nature conservation legislation. Resch believes the DUH's concerns could be addressed by establishing drone technology that allows for more precise targeting and, ultimately, aids in protecting the Apollo butterfly. Additionally, the DUH expresses concerns about some of the fungicides used, which belong to the group of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), known as "eternity chemicals" due to their slow breakdown in the environment.
Cost and Availability
The DJI T50 drone, including accessories, costs around 30,000 euros. The DLR supports wine producers in acquiring drones with a 40% contribution, and several winemakers collaborate to jointly purchase a drone. Winemakers must have a driver's license for its operation, and it requires FAA Part 107 and Part 137 certification in the U.S., along with state pesticide applicator licenses.
- Steep vineyards
- Wine
- High-tech
- Drone
- Crisis
- Mosel
- DLR
- Helicopter
- Cultural landscape
- Apollo butterfly
- PFAS
- FNR
- Drones in agriculture
- Steep slope viticulture
- The Mosel region, renowned for its steep vineyards, faces a crisis due to high production costs, with experts looking towards high-tech solutions such as drones, like the DJI Agras T50, to revolutionize steep slope viticulture.
- The DLR, in cooperation with German winemakers, promotes the use of drones in agriculture, envisioning them as crucial tools for preserving the steep vineyards' cultural landscape, currently threatened by the Apollo butterfly's dwindling population and concerns over PFAS.
- The introduction of high-tech drones in the wine industry, such as the DJI Agras T50, could revitalize the Mosel's steep vineyards, overcoming challenges posed by steep slopes and high production costs, ultimately reinforcing the region's priceless environmental-science and lifestyle aspects, including food-and-drink and technology.
