Growing Forward 2026 – The Evolving Risk of Pierce’s Disease in the North Coast

Warmer winters, longer growing seasons and shifting vector ranges are changing the disease landscape in California vineyards. Pierce’s Disease pressure has historically been lower in the North Coast, aided in part by cold winter temperatures. Climate trends, however, may alter that risk profile as Pierce’s Disease adapts. Are there opportunities to curtail this trend?

This session will share recent PD/GWSS Board-funded research on Pierce’s Disease ecology and potential control strategies. Growers will leave with a clear understanding of how area-wide programs protect premium vineyards and what today’s research means for vineyard resilience over the next decade.

The Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) is an invasive insect that acts as the primary and most aggressive vector for Pierce’s Disease, and resources will be shared in the session for growers to stay updated on the evolving issue of Grapevines sold at Costco which contained GWSS.

Read more about our Growing Forward Series here: https://wineindustryadvisor.com/growingforward

Runtime: 75 min.

Speakers:
Dr. Matt Daugherty
Professor of Cooperative Extension
Department of Entomology / University of California, Riverside
Dr. Akif Eskalen
Professor of Cooperative Extension in Plant Pathology / University of California, Davis
Dr. Cindy Kron, Ph.D.
North Coast Area IPM Advisor /
University of California Cooperative Extension
Moderator:
Dr. Kris Lowe, Ph.D.
President / Vine Balance Consulting

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