Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory

08/26/2026

There is a faint smell in the air at CLEREL... 👃🍇

The Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory research
team officially called Concord Veraison on August 17, 2026.

This is three days earlier than last year (8/20/25), and five days earlier than the historical average of 8/22.
This year, veraison hit at 69 days after bloom, which is spot on with our historical dataset! You can find our current and historical phenological data on our website, lergp.com

As the season progresses, the familiar scent of veraison will become full-blown across the grape belt, and harvest will be fast on its heels! We wish all of our growers a safe and bountiful harvest! 🚜🍇

08/06/2026

‼️New Podcast Alert‼️

Jennifer Phillips Russo, Andrew Holden, and Megan Luke discuss the upcoming sprayer technology demo day organized by the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program team. The day will feature presentations from experts in sprayer technology, including drone applications and autonomous spray units, as well as equipment demonstrations. Megan shares insights from her work on sprayer calibrations and water quality, emphasizing the importance of regular testing and maintenance for effective pesticide application. The team highlights the event's educational value, which will include classroom sessions, field demonstrations, opportunities for growers to earn pesticide credits, and lunch! They also mention other recent activities, such as grower meetings and upcoming travel plans, and encourage listeners to register for the demo day on August 12, 2026.

Time is running out to register for this event! Click the link below to register now: https://extension.psu.edu/lake-erie-regional-grape-program-sprayer-technology-field-day

➡️To watch the podcast: https://youtu.be/XWGhREmpVdM?si=6q2AvDSLD063mbae

➡️To listen to the podcast, click the link below or listen on your favorite streaming service: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1750130/episode_players/19580967-between-the-vines-s6e8-sprayer-tech-demo-day-coming-august-12th?client_source=large_player&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzsprout.com%2F1750130.js%3Fcontainer_id%3Dbuzzsprout-large-player-1750130

Jennifer, Andrew and Megan come together to talk about the upcoming...

07/29/2026

We have an exciting event coming up at CLEREL! 🚜🍇

Our Sprayer Technology Demonstration Day will provide growers with an opportunity to see current and in-development spray technology with guest experts from Cornell, Michigan State, and Washington State Universities.

Explore the latest advances in spray technology during this all-day meeting and demonstration event designed for grape growers and industry professionals. Through presentations and field demonstrations, attendees will gain practical insights into innovations that can improve application efficiency, crop protection, and vineyard and orchard management.

🗓 Wednesday, August 12, from 9am - 4pm
📍The Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory (CLEREL) located at 6592 W Main St, Portland, NY 14769

General Registration is $30 and includes lunch, printed proceedings, equipment demos, classroom session, and NY and PA Pesticide Applicator credits.

Make sure to register by August 11, 2026, by visiting https://lnkd.in/gvuXRfTX

Agenda can be found here: https://lergp.com/events/

07/21/2026

Our Sprayer Technology Demo Day will be here before you know it! 🚜🍇

Explore the latest advances in spray technology during this all-day meeting and demonstration event designed for grape growers and industry professionals. Participants will have the opportunity to see current and emerging spray technologies in action while learning from guest experts representing Cornell University, Michigan State University, and Washington State University. Through presentations and field demonstrations, attendees will gain practical insights into innovations that can improve application efficiency, crop protection, and vineyard and orchard management.

🗓 Wednesday, August 12, from 9am - 4pm
📍The Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory (CLEREL) located at 6592 W Main St, Portland, NY 14769

General Registration is $30 and includes lunch, printed proceedings, equipment demos, classroom session, and NY and PA Pesticide Applicator credits.

Make sure to register by August 11, 2026, by visiting https://extension.psu.edu/lake-erie-regional-grape-program-sprayer-technology-field-day

Explore advances in spray technology at this all-day meeting and field demo for grape and fruit growers, featuring expert insights on precision spraying, drones, and sprayer optimization.

07/21/2026

Have you spotted a Japanese beetle with small white spots on its back? If so, it's your lucky day!

Those white spots are actually the eggs of the winsome fly, a beneficial insect that parasitizes adult Japanese beetles. Once the eggs hatch, the developing fly larvae feed inside the beetle, and the beetle will die within a few days.

Nature has its own way of helping manage pests, and the winsome fly is one of the many beneficial insects that can help keep Japanese beetle populations in check.

Learn more about winsome flies: https://blogs.cornell.edu/biocontrolbytes/2026/07/15/got-japanese-beetles-got-winsome-flies/

07/20/2026

Grape growers in the area have been struggling, especially following Refresco cancelling all of their contracts with grape growers earlier this year. Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Lake Erie Regional Grape Program has been helping growers since then, and are continuing to work to provide resources looking forward towards this year’s grape crop.

https://www.observertoday.com/news/top-stories/2026/07/struggling-grape-farms-eyeing-options/

07/17/2026

LERGP wants to remind you to be extra cautious on the roads so that everyone can make it to their destination safely! 🚜

PORTLAND, N.Y. – The Lake Erie Regional Grape Program wants to remind you to be extra cautious on the roads so that everyone can make...

07/09/2026

https://www.morningagclips.com/leaders-farmers-urge-usda-to-issue-disaster-designation-for-farms-hit-by-april-freeze/

MARLBORO, N.Y. — New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey, Congressman Pat Ryan, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, Hudson Valley farmers, and members of the Ulster...

07/08/2026

‼️NEW PODCAST ALERT‼️

Jennifer Phillips Russo and Andrew Holden wanted to give a couple of quick updates before the regularly planned podcast - PA relief for Refresco growers.

➡️It's crop estimation time and there is an EASY button! Jenn shows how to use it. https://lergp.com/crop-estimation-table 🍇

➡️Andrew talks about some tariff relief for NY growers and how to access that.

➡️Finally a reminder about road safety - see and be seen! Be safe out there! 🚜

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHwkFeVrG54

07/08/2026

Glyphosate is trending, but here’s something you might not know:
Some weeds are evolving resistance to it.
Cornell researchers are working on solutions to help farmers stay ahead. 🌱
https://cals.cornell.edu/news/2026/03/vipan-kumar-fighting-back-against-glyphosate-resistant-weeds-ny-fields