Sucker punching

Or rather, sucker pruning, or simply sucker plucking.  This year I am trying something new, which is specifically removing suckers from the plants.  As many other websites describe, suckers are shoots that emerge between a side branch and the main stem, and they will form into a continuously growing new stem unless removed.   This will direct more plant energy into new stem and leaf growth instead of flowering, fruit production and upward growth of the main stem. So removing suckers should maintain a more upright habit, and less bushy and sprawling.  Taller, "leaner" plants = fruit are more elevated = less disease and loss.