A panel discussion examining low-input, organic, and ­biodynamic grape growing found that while each takes a dif­ferent approach to pest and nutrition management, there is a common denominator: if the practice doesn’t work or isn’t ­economical, the grower won’t be in business for long. It’s hard to find a “true” conventional grape grower in Washington State nowadays, observes Washington State University’s integrated pest management coordinator Dr. Doug Walsh. The state’s grape industry has dramatically reduced its use of organophosphate insecticides. Many growers use minimal applications of pesticides not only to reduce their impact on the environment, but also to reduce […]