04/25/06 Adapting OVID

Adapting OVID. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Knowing your vineyard from top to bottom is crucial for getting the most from your crop. Being able to share that information is equally important. Utilizing the aerial photos, geographic information, topographic maps and other sources, the Oregon Vineyard Database helps winegrape growers and winemakers to share information on vineyard sites, soils, plantings, and management practices. OVID is an online service available to members throughout Oregon but thanks to the Washington Wine Industry Foundation and the USDA Rick Management Agency, OVID may soon be available across the entire northwest. According to OVID Executive Director, Alan Campbell the database allows members to make better management decisions. CAMPBELL: To help growers and winemakers work together to identify the plantings and practices that grow the best wines in every vineyard block across the landscape that will allow us to increase quality, reduce production costs and in that sense, grow the best wine in every vineyard block, so that we have the highest quality at the lowest cost across the landscape. Member owners fill out simple online forms to describe their vineyard blocks, record vine and crop growth, record their management practices and then share this information with other owners, managers, winemakers to make better management choices. Members can limit the amount of access employees or other members have to their specific data. Online forums allow members to easily share ideas and ask questions. Visit the OVID website for more information. www.ovid.us. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.