Back to news list VMS – VITICULTURE MANAGING SYSTEM The first fully operational precision viticulture system in the world has been developed by Same Deutz-Fahr and Tecnovict, in collaboration with Re-Lab. Zaragoza, 14th February 2012; Created in response to a need for new technology that would enhance the quality of the wines made by Marchesi Antinori, tested on the renowned company’s Tignanello estate and scientifically approved by the Antinori Research & Development Centre, the first fully operational precision viticulture system in the world has been developed by Same Deutz-Fahr and Tecnovict, in collaboration with Re-Lab.
It has been only two short years since the concept was established with the introduction of the first variable-rate vineyard fertilizer spreader. Since then, members of this well-organized team — Marchesi Antinori, originator of new agronomic ideas and assiduous tester, Same Deutz-Fahr, the first company to develop vineyard-specific ISOBUS-compatible electronics for use on tractors, and Tecnovict, maker of special purpose variable-rate implements — have combined to achieve another ambitious goal. They have co-operated to present the first foliage management system for precision viticulture using the revolutionary smart GPS leaf trimmer.

The VMS comprises a SAME Frutteto3 S tractor - a specialist vineyard machine equipped with a GPS antenna - an iMonitor terminal with ‘prescription’ maps of the vineyard generated from ‘vigour’ maps produced by a detection which discriminates between different levels of foliage density. There is also an ISOBUS interface, and a TECNOVICT 111 VRT variable-rate leaf trimmer with a 'task module’ that informs the tractor how much leaf needs to be removed in any given area of the vineyard.

Leaf trimming in the vineyard is a particularly delicate operation. With different areas showing different levels of vegetative vigour, the number of leaves needing to be removed will always vary. Expert vinedressers performing this operation by hand are able to take into account the physiological needs of each individual vine, whereas machines designed to do the job mechanically will remove the leaves uniformly, without regard to the variable nature of growth in the vineyard.

To detect which areas of the vineyard are growing more or less vigorously than others, aerial photographs are taken using a multispectral camera carried by an aeroplane, satellite or unmanned helicopter. These images are used to generate maps indicating vegetative vigour in the vineyard, identified by colours indicating areas of uniform vigour. It is from these that prescription maps are prepared for use by the implement. In practice, the different levels of foliage vigour — green for areas of high leaf density (intensive trimming action), yellow for areas of medium leaf density (moderate trimming action) and red for low leaf density (no trimming) — call for different rates of response from the implement.

With the VMS – Viticulture Managing System, a controller is able to communicate with the variable-rate leaf-trimmer and dictate the exact amount of foliage to be removed from one moment to the next, according to the vigour of the vines where the tractor happens to be operating — the location of the tractor being tracked continuously by the Global Positioning System.
Accordingly, the operator can focus on driving the tractor, while checking at the same time that the right amount of foliage has been trimmed in different areas of the vineyard.
Leaf management is an important part of viticulture, but now, the knowledge handed down from generation to generation in this area is enhanced enormously with the aid of modern computer systems, and large expanses of vines can be tended with the same care as that given to small plots.

A further advantage of the integrated VMS – Viticulture Managing System — already indicated by tests with the variable rate fertilizer spreader — is that this same technology will be applicable to other operations in the vineyard, in leaf or otherwise. This will enable winery proprietors and managers to improve the care of their vineyards still further, and consequently maximize the sustainability and economy of their business.



About SDF:
Based in Treviglio, Bergamo (northern Italy), the SAME DEUTZ-FAHR (SDF) group is one of the world's leading makers of tractors, combine harvesters, agricultural machinery and engines. SDF products are manufactured and marketed under the SAME, DEUTZ-FAHR, LAMBORGHINI, HÜRLIMANN and GRÉGOIRE brands.
Tractors range from 30 up to 270 hp, and combine harvesters from 120 up to 400 hp.
In 2010, SDF employed some 2300 people worldwide and recorded sales turnover of €855 million, generating a profit of €20 million (EBIT).
The group holds a 26.7% stake in DEUTZ AG, an independent and world-leading manufacturer of diesel engines, listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange


For further information please contact:
Graham Barnwell
Same Deutz-Fahr UK Ltd
Product Marketing Manager
Tel. +44 1788 892113
Graham.Barnwell@sdf.co.uk




About Marchesi Antinori:
The Antinori family has been making wine for over six hundred years, since 1385, when Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member of the Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri (Florentine Vintners Guild).Throughout its long history, spanning 26 generations, the family has always managed the business directly, taking innovative and sometimes bold decisions, but always with unswerving respect for tradition and for the land.
Love of tradition, passion and entrepreneurial instinct: over time, these dynamic qualities have established Antinori among the leading Italian producers of fine quality wines.
Every vintage, every terroir, every idea is a new beginning, a new quest for better and better quality margins. As the current Marchese Piero never tires of saying: “ancient roots play an important role in our philosophy, but they have never held back our spirit of innovation".
As well as the family's long-established estates in Tuscany and Umbria, investments have been made over the years in other areas ideally suited to quality wine production, in Italy and abroad, as part of a general mission to discover and develop new terroirs rich in wine growing potential.

Marchesi Antinori Press Office:
Grazia Lotti Public Relations, +39 02.6575103 – info@grazialotti.com

Marchesi Antinori Srl
Piazza Antinori 3
50123 Firenze

tel. +39/055/23595
fax +39/055/2359872
e-mail: antinori@antinori.it
web: www.antinori.it


About TECNOVICT
Since 1989, the TECNOVICT brand has identified vineyard equipment designed and built by Spezia Srl (www.tecnovict.com - www.agriprecisione.it.) This is a mechanical engineering company devoted to innovation, holder of patents on a variety of inventions and winner of the EIMA Novità Tecniche Award in 2005 for its chemical side-shoot and sucker remover, a groundbreaking machine that continues to meet with widespread approval among the premier Italian wine growers. Engineer and company director Giancarlo Spezia collaborates closely with the Sacred Heart Catholic University of Piacenza, and with numerous publications to his name has made an important contribution to the development of precision viticulture. This direct line to the world of research favours the company significantly in dealings with growers and wineries on the lookout for instruments and equipment reflecting the state of the art in vineyard mechanization.

For more information:
Spezia S.r.l., Viale Castagnetti, 7 – Pianello Val Tidone (PC) – Tel. 0523 998815 –
e-mail: posta@tecnovict.com - web: www.tecnovict.com - www.agriprecisione .


About RE:Lab S.r.l.
RE: Lab S.r.l. has its premises in Reggio Emilia, the heart of an area that is home to some 35% of Italian agricultural implement makers — 10.7% based in Reggio Emilia, 4.3% in Modena — who between them generate more than 50% of national sales turnover in this particular sector.

RE:Lab offers design and development services in the field of mechatronic and IT systems, including the adaptation of existing systems to changing market and technology trends.
RE:Lab assists companies intent on carrying forward projects typified by a high level of technological innovation, offering extensive know-how in terms of defining requirements for design and concept management, development of software/hardware/mechanical systems, prototyping, automatic and semi-automatic testing, and certification.

RE:Lab s.r.l.Via Tamburini, 5 -42122 Reggio Emilia (ITALY)
Tel. +39 (0) 522 522663 Fax +39 (0) 522 522164
Web: www.re-lab.it e-mail: info@re-lab.it




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