2.2.2.d Tillage logistics

Time spent per hectare

The time spent per hectare for tillage will depend on several criteria, including the power of the tractor, its consumption and its ease of use and robustness, but above all on the operation to be carried out. The type of weed may be important depending on how extensively it is established and its growth rate. The time per hectare will also depend on the planting density.

For example:
Tillage at Clos de Tart (7.5 ha) can be completed in one week.
To work the entire 3.5 ha of Château Grillet, which has a very complex vineyard layout, can take up to three weeks.
At Chateau Latour, soil tillage using horses can take from 8 to 12 hours per hectare depending on the plot's conditions (clay content, well-drained/dried out, degree of slope).

Can several tools be combined? If so, how should they be chosen?

Several tools can be combined to reduce the time spent per hectare. For example, when shallow ploughing is carried out on a plot to uproot the weeds, it is possible to add an attachment to the machine that will comb/level the ground afterwards.
The act of combining multiple tasks reduces the number of passes through the rows and helps to save time. In this respect, de-hilling machinery can be equipped with tools that break up the displaced soil and bring it closer to the furrow directly beneath the vines. Many other tools can be adapted accordingly.

How can young vines be protected during tillage?

Young vines are more susceptible to damage caused by tillage tools than older plants and therefore extra care should be taken to protect them. Stakes can be used to provide support. A wide range of stakes in various materials is available.

• Stakes can be made of wood (oak, pine, acacia, bamboo, etc.), fibreglass, stainless steel, galvanized steel or composite (fibreglass and resin).
  Several criteria such as longevity, price and suitability to the soil type will influence the choice of material. U-shaped stakes also exist. The heights and widths of these U-shaped stakes vary.

• Plant sleeves can also be used to protect young vines from tractors and animals. These sleeves can be made of plastic, honeycomb polypropylene or 100% degradable biosourced paper. Sleeves are usually available in several different sizes.