This publication has been funded by Hort Innovation using the table grape and dried grape levies and funds from the Australian Government. Wherever you see a Hort Innovation logo, the initiative is part of the Table Grape, Dried Grape, Dried Tree Fruit or Prune Fund. Some projects also involve funding from additional sources.
In celebration 20 years of the Vine 38 Profile Matt Williams
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Industries' leading role
There’s been plenty going on in the table grape and dried grape industries this quarter.
Both industry groups – led by Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) – have taken a proactive approach to the threat of Queensland fruit fly.
In addition to information and resources, both ATGA and Dried Fruits Australia have delivered tangible supports for growers in the form of MAT cup Qfly control.
Meanwhile, the table grape industry has secured a landmark five-year marketing project, which will be designed with growers, for growers.
In dried grape news, the industry continues its international marketing in Europe, while back at home we celebrate growers producing award-winning yields.
Industry swarms for Qfly support
The Australian table grape industry has banded together to enter a new era of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) management.
The Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) recently launched a groundbreaking short-term initiative for Qfly control, aimed at addressing the significant increase in Qfly pressure in Sunraysia in recent years.
Through consultations with industry, ATGA recognised the urgent need for coordinated action and introduced a program to subsidise the use of pheromone lures.
The ATGA worked quickly to subsidise and distribute more than 23,000 male annihilation technique (MAT) cups to 80 producers, in a bid to encourage early season area-wide management of Qfly.
MAT cups are an attract-andkill control option that target male fruit flies, helping to break the reproductive cycle.
Sunraysia’s table grape producers collectively embraced the enhanced support to tackle the growing pest threat.
Producer Wade Hancock took up the initiative and said it was another useful tool growers could add to their integrated pest and disease management programs.
“Last year woke a few people up,” Wade said. “The concern is not going to go away any time soon –Queensland fruit fly is here to stay.”
“The sooner we jump on board taking action, the better it will be.”
The ATGA’s initiative serves as a vital opportunity for producers to be proactive in area-wide management to control Qfly, before the season’s peak.
The ATGA launched the initiative in early October and had already sold out of an initial stock within 48 hours.
“The deployment of the MAT cups across the Sunraysia region is a strategic effort to significantly reduce Qfly pressure,” ATGA CEO Jeff Scott said.
“The ATGA has absorbed $49,163 in costs to ensure growers can access these tools at a fraction of the regular price.”
The opportunity presented itself at a crucial time, as the discontinuation of a decade-long state government Qfly program left a gap in the coordinated management of Qfly in the Murray Valley.
The initiative has already proven to be a significant success, with producers highlighting that others “would be mad not to take advantage of this opportunity”.
Wade said that, despite being fortunate enough to control Qfly in previous years, the pest was
only becoming more prevalent and required an integrated approach.
“The MAT cup subsidy has been beneficial – price point is a factor, and you’ve gone and covered that, and ensured we’ve got accessibility,” Wade said.
At a time when financial pressure is mounting for many producers, subsidising the MAT cups enabled producers to implement a comprehensive control strategy early season at low-cost, helping to reduce financial burdens.
The ATGA industry development team caught up with those producers who purchased cups, and said it was great to see producers get on board.
Karen Connolly said that it was great to be involved in the initiative and raise awareness.
“The success of the ATGA’s efforts is not just in the quantity of MAT cups distributed, but also in the increased awareness and cooperation it has sparked among growers,” Karen said.
“By banding together with an aim to achieve area-wide management, there may be hope for better control this season. The more traps out there, the better for all."
As producers embrace the opportunity and unite against Qfly, the initiative is a powerful reminder of the value of industry collaboration, preparation, awareness and information.
“It’s great to see the buzz this initiative has created in the producer community,” Jenny Treeby said.
“Hopefully this has kicked off a new era
of Qfly awareness and management in the Greater Sunraysia region.”
The initiative is part of a broader awareness program led by the ATGA about the impact of Qfly on the table grape industry, which has included the production and promotion of several resources, including a Bait Like a Boss video series and factsheets.
While the cost of the MAT cups were solely absorbed by the ATGA, work undertaken by the industry development and communications teams is funded by Hort Innovation using the table grape research and development levies and contributions from the Australian Government. For more resources and information, visit australiangrapes.com.au. v
Managing fruit fly in dried fruit
Many dried grape growers felt the impact of Queensland fruit fly last season.
In response, in addition to sharing resources for managing Qfly on dried grape properties, Dried Fruits Australia followed the Australian Table Grape Association’s lead in rolling out a subsidised MAT (male annihilation technique) cup program to growers.
MAT cups work by attracting and killing male Qflies ahead of the season, reducing their numbers and diminishing the availability of mating partners.
MAT cups should be complemented by a baiting program throughout the remainder of the season.
Last year, most who felt the impact of fruit fly only became aware of Qfly’s presence and damage when it was too late to act.
This season, growers are encouraged to implement a rigorous
Basics of baiting for Qfly
1. Identify: Know what Qfly look like; generally between 5 to 8mm long, reddish-brown in colour, with distinct yellow markings. Their wings are clear with brown veins and have an expanse of around 10 to 12 mm. Females have an ovipositor (stinger) used to pierce fruit skins and inject eggs into fruit flesh.
2. Monitor: Check for the presence of Qfly in the vineyard through trapping. Don’t wait to see fruit damage before starting a baiting program. Prepare to bait at the first sighting of a Qfly in a trap. This is the most effective way to control Qfly numbers and limit damage in a vineyard.
monitoring and baiting program.
“This is a relatively new threat for our industry, but it’s one that must be taken seriously and should now be considered a routine component of vineyard management ” DFA CEO Thomas Cheung said.
While fruit fly does not threaten dried grape exports, DFA industry development officer Michael Treeby said the damage they cause
represents a crop and therefore economical loss to the industry.
“Berries will generally rot and fall from the bunch, but can pose a risk of spreading rot through entire bunches,” he said.
Dried fruit growers can order MAT cups from DFA while stocks last. Information about the MAT cups, including tips on how to use them, is available on the DFA website.
3. Prepare bait: Bait contains a protein (that’s irresistible to Qfly) mixed with an insecticide. Bait can be mixed with a gum (guar or xanthium) to help it last longer. Baits can be bought premixed, or can be prepared by producers to reduce costs. Wear PPE when working with baits and follow label directions for use.
4. Apply bait: Baits need to be sprayed where Qfly prefer to eat –in a shady position. But, baits must not come into contact with fruit. Drying emulsion may rinse bait off leaves even if bait had only been applied lightly on the non-fruiting side, and runoff capture and recirculation may lead to fruit contamination.
Baits can be sprayed or painted on trunks/posts. Avoiding direct sunlight by applying on the shaded side of the post or vine and applying below catching plate height are preferable. Apply bait every 2-3 rows.
5. Monitor and repeat: The monitoring program needs to be maintained, and fortnightly spray bait applications are needed while flies are still being caught in monitoring traps. Berries may still be susceptible for a short period following bearer cutting. v
Smart way to a Top Crop
UNCONVENTIONAL FARM APPROACH PAYS OFF
An unconventional approach to managing the vineyard has resulted in award-winning high yields from Rowena and Warren Smart's block.
The Red Cliffs growers were this year the Sunmuscat category winner in the Dried Fruits Australia Top Crop Awards. The awards recognise the growers who achieve the highest value crop per hectare, based on tonnages and grading using known base level pricing. This year, the couple produced
11.17t/ha, after last year producing 10.98t/ha.
“I think the crop was there last year, we just couldn’t sugar it up,” Rowena said.
“Mother Nature just wasn’t kind. This year she was fractionally kinder and we’re only hoping she gets nicer.”
The couple attribute their success to their “unconventional approach” to the farm.
“We see it as more of a regenerative farming approach. Chemicals are always our last resort,” Rowena said.
The pair use minimal synthetic inputs, but make sure their vines
receive the nutrients they need.
“We do soil and leaf analysis at a minimum three times a year,” Rowena said.
“That’s always our guiding light.”
In the dormant season, the soil analysis will tell them what is required – whether it's cow or chicken manure, compost, gypsum or a mix of everything.
“We put that out real thick, in people’s eyes,” Rowena explained.
“We’ll get truckloads dropped off.
That does its thing – the soil fungi and microbes will start breaking
it down and feeding the roots.”
As fruit begins to emerge, another analysis done to determine what is needed.
“We try to go with a fish or something closer to being a bit more natural where we can – homebrewed compost tea, kelp – because we still do want to come out with money left in the bank. If we do have to put some synthetics in, we will put some in.”
Rowena said the couple had found no downsides to this approach, which she said speaks for itself when it comes to yield.
“We get a truckload, I’m talking tonnes of fertiliser, for a couple thousand dollars. We’re getting a lot more bang for the buck there,” she said.
“Sometimes when you are looking at some of the liquid more natural approaches, they can have a bit bigger pricetag on them, but the benefits seem to outweigh it. Our profit margin is still quite tasty.”
Rowena and Warren pride themselves on their attention to detail on their block, an approach that has rewarded them with minimal losses in recent years when downy mildew and Queensland
fruit fly hit some other growers hard.
“I feel like we’ve been through some really hard years with downy mildew and fruit fly, and we were lucky if we lost 1 per cent of anything in both years,” Rowena said.
“So I think having a healthier vine did it. In that downy year, I’ll admit there was a lot of legwork.
“Every day we walked up and down those rows, constantly in the block and if we saw a downy spot it went in a bag and came home and went in the bin or was disposed of.
“We were very attentive, so a
Friendly family competition
Growing up on a dried fruit property, Rowena Smart said she’d never work in dried fruit.
Now she and her husband Warren have just won the Sunmuscat category in DFA’s Top Crop, just ahead of Rowena’s parents Jenny and John Hunt.
John and Jenny achieved 10.72t/ ha this year, just behind Rowena and Warren’s 11.17t/ha.
The competition is friendly, and the growers insist there is no rivalry.
John and Jenny have been on the block for 36 years, moving to Red Cliffs and growing dried fruit after starting out in the dairy industry.
They have long been among the industry’s top growers, having developed their property to swingarm trellis
and modern plantings.
While John and Jenny had offered Rowena and Warren the opportunity to buy one of their existing patches, the Smarts were determined to be independent and develop their own block.
“Over the years we collected secondhand frames and posts and obviously had to put money aside for irrigation and things like that. Then 2020 came and for two years we developed our 26 acres. We did all the work ourselves and now we’re dried fruit growers like my mum and dad,” Rowena said.
While independent, Rowena and Warren have a healthy respect for John and Jenny’s knowledge in the industry.
“We ran everything past mum and dad. Smarty did his apprenticeship at the Ag Department – he ran their dried fruit – so he has quite
corporate obviously can’t do that, but that meant we were OK.”
The couple has been encouraged by their results in just a few short years of production and, while they do not grow fruit for the awards, their category win this year validates their methods.
“It is always really nice seeing the shed full, and not being able to get a chaser cart to the end of the row because it’s full,” she said.
Rowena said they’re willing to share freely information about how they manage their property.
“Even a friend we’ve helped has been going away from chemicals, and his yield has increased in that time learning from us. We’re not secretive about what we’re doing.”
“We aren’t perfect and we’re always working on improving in our journey away from chemicals and synthetic fertilisers.” v
a bit of knowledge there as well.
But he respects what dad’s done over the years,” Rowena said.
And that exchange of knowledge now flows both ways, as John and Jenny take on some of Rowena and Warren’s practices.
“If he finds a way of doing something easier I’ll follow,” John said.
“You’ve got to be willing to change. I grew up on dairy farms and watched growers follow their dads all the way and never improve.”
Jenny said there was room for everyone to succeed, and she was happy that Rowena and Warren had done so well in this year’s Top Crop Awards.
Rowena agreed the competition is friendly.
“As long as the other does well. We still root for each other,” she said.
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High hopes for 2025 crop
A note from our chair
As we are heading towards harvest, what a better year the 2025 crop looks like.
Sultana looks like it is back to where it was before we had downy mildew, and all the other varieties look great.
Prices around the world have strengthened, with both Turkey and USA producing crops well below their average tonnages.
Supermarket prices have risen in all dried fruit areas, so growers I have spoken to are expecting this to flow through.
DFA has been actively working with Australian Premium Dried Fruits and Sunbeam Foods in the marketing of our great product.
DFA has been in China twice as well as in Paris. The response from potential buyers has been terrific, but the problem for Australia has been the ability to be able to supply.
All costs have risen – power, labour and chemicals, just to name a few – and growers are struggling to make ends meet. There was never a better opportunity for growers to get a better return.
The prices we are getting now are the highest our industry has ever experienced, but they are a long way short of what many other growers
are getting around the world.
If we were to compare the price that was paid in around 1990, which was $1800, to the $2300 now some 35 years later, I have no doubt that is why our industry is struggling.
The new varieties are in demand, with 8500 Murray Bold vines planted this year and orders for 25,000 next year.
For those thinking of replanting old Sultanas, speak to your local nursery operator and to your processor. There is a great range available if you give your nursery a year's notice.
We were fortunate to have Hort Innovation hold their board meeting at our office recently, when they also took the opportunity to meet with some dried fruit growers, visiting their properties to get a better understanding of the issues we are facing.
News from our CEO
Compared to our 2023 low crop intake volume, the 2024 crop reached 11,875 tonnes.
This is a much-improved volume, but under our expectation of 13,500 tonnes.
Sultana was a disappointment again this season and it has confirmed the fact that downy mildew does affect Sultanas negatively two seasons in a row.
Other varieties had a remarkable recovery from last year’s downy
Mark King | Chair
damage with good volumes. Sunmuscat is a dominant variety in Australia for us, overtaking Sultanas.
Other new varieties like Sugra 39 have also started producing and showing great potential.
We have worked closely with CSIRO on potential new varieties, with a focus on high yield, early harvest, rain resistant, pest and disease tolerant, and light colour.
Some selected new varieties will be soon planted under Plant Assessment Agreement with CSIRO. We will release more details when they're available.
In addition to our existing levysupported projects, we have been very active in obtaining new project funding for existing project variations.
We hope that some successes can be published once it is all confirmed.
DFA is working hard to provide further assistance to our members and industry.
Queensland fruit fly MAT cups are in stock for growers to order at a subsidised price. A further subsidy is provided to DFA members.
GrapeWatch – a weather-based pest and disease alert system distributed via mobile phone – has been established to assist members at no charge.
Please put your inquiries through to the DFA office if you are interested in accessing the alerts. v
Thomas Cheung | CEO
Promising rootstock returns to industry
Lider rootstock
After three decades, a rootstock that has shown promising performance in growing dried fruit – with the added bonus of drought resilience – is back in the hands of the dried fruit industry.
Some producers may recall and even hosted rootstock trials established by Agriculture Victoria in the 1990s to identify rootstocks more suitable for dried grape production than Ramsey.
The first series of trials identified two rootstocks, vines growing on which performed as well or better than vines on Ramsey.
Follow up observations on one of the sites during a period of reduced water allocations and drought showed that vines on those rootstocks had greater resilience to drought and one of those (Lider 187-24) had far greater recovery capability.
Further, returns – based on yield and dried vine fruit quality – from vines on that rootstock were superior to all other stocks, including the industry standards Ramsey and 1103 Paulsen. Cuttings were taken from suckers coming off the rootstock of those vines, struck and grown on in pots.
Suspecting a heavy virus load, the rootlings were heat treated and grown on in a glasshouse at AgVic’s Bundoora facility.
This year, after repeated virus testing and heat treatment, DFA got back three virus-free rootlings.
Two of those rootlings were planted at VAMVVIA as mother vines and the other on a commercial nursery.
These will be a resource for the future because the original trials showed
that vines growing on this rootstock performed as well as vines growing on the current industry standards, showed strong resilience to drought and bounced back harder after drought; all attractive traits in good times and bad.
Chlorpyrifos ban
Dried vine fruit producers would be well aware that the insecticide chlorpyrifos – the active ingredient in more than 70 registered insecticide formulations – was deleted some years back from the list of chemicals that they could be used in dried grape production.
The ban on chlorpyrifos is now a little wider; the APVMA has ruled that chlorpyrifos is not to be used on any Australian vineyards beyond September 30, 2025.
Following that date, it will be an offence to have possession or custody of, supply, or to use chlorpyrifos on any Australian vineyard.
Disposal of any stocks of chlorpyrifos after that date is quite a proscribed procedure.
Biostimulants
The term “plant biostimulant” is taken to mean a formulation that positively alters crop behaviour.
Enhancing mineral nutrient uptake and use were considered the primary mechanisms by which biostimulants were beneficial, but increasingly greater tolerance of abiotic stresses such as heat and drought impacts on crop quality and better postharvest shelf-life are included.
The biostimulant space is now bigger, more competitive and there is more science supporting some of the claims made.
There is far less emphasis on the nature of the formulation compared to its effects.
Part of the pressure to change has come from the European Union, which recognized the role that biostimulants could play in achieving some of its headline sustainability aims and the sector’s own body – European Biostimulants Industry Council – has been a strong driving force projecting the sector’s aims and promoting the positive developments.
The benefits sought by European farmers are not dissimilar to the benefits Australian farmers seek.
The table grape team has prepared an article in this edition of the Vine, discussing in more detail some of the recent advances in the biostimulant space that may be of interest to table and dried grape producers. v
Michael Treeby Industry Development Officer 03 5023 5174 projects@driedfruitsaustralia.org.au
Optimism surrounds new projects and market potential
News from our CEO
The ATGA will deliver a five-year international promotional program, following thorough evaluation and endorsement from Hort Innovation’s investment committee and board.
Funded by the table grape marketing levy, the ATGA will deliver the project on behalf of industry, allowing for greater autonomy in international marketing and a unified approach that meets the needs of producers and exporters. Read more about the program on pages 18-19.
As part of the industry’s recent success in gaining market access for additional table grape varieties in Japan, we recently held – as part of the table grape market access and trade development project, and with support from Global Victoria – a high-profile outbound mission, featuring key importers, distributors and retailers in Tokyo and Osaka.
We had a productive week, with 14 exporters attending, and it was a great knowledge-gathering experience for industry.
All Tokyo meetings were hosted at the Australian Embassy. This venue not only provided a prestigious setting but also allowed for individual
presentations to showcase the unique capabilities and offerings of Australian farms and exporters.
Across the week, the Australian delegation met with 41 captivated representatives from 20 Japanese import, distribution, and retail businesses. The delegation also met with the Australian Government’s Agricultural Counsellor in Japan, Tom Parnell, and Austrade Consul and Trade and Investment Commissioner, Kendall Draper.
A key message from all Japanese representatives was quality, quality, quality. With strong competition now from Peru and Chile, Australian quality must stand out.
At the conclusion of the formal proceedings, informal cocktail networking events were held in Tokyo and Osaka to allow attendees to connect further.
This mission has been an effective introduction to Japan, highlighting Australia’s expanded varietal portfolio and the quality of our produce.
A note from our chair
There have been a lot of exciting wins for industry over the past six months –Japan’s additional varietal access, the international marketing project and – for
the most part – growing conditions in Sunraysia.
Crop levels are up from last year, and the growing season has been conducive to good fruit so far.
We’re in the midst of GA-ing and leaf plucking and all the other jobs that happen in spring. Thankfully, the weather has been good to us in Sunraysia, with not a lot of rain at the wrong time.
While things are looking better than average so far compared with last year’s horribly light crop, I know some growers are still impacted by the symptoms of restricted spring growth.
I’m pleased the ATGA extension team is continuing its work.
As far as markets go, I’m really happy Japan is now accepting additional table grape varieties, and that can only be a positive for the industry moving forward, as long as we do the right thing and only supply high quality grapes.
With crop loads back to normal and the additional plantings that have happened, we must be very mindful of the quality and maturity of the fruit we’re putting in a box.
All in all, I hope we all have a positive end to the year and for those beginning or preparing for harvest, I hope it’s a successful season. v
Jeremey Boyd | Chair
Jeff Scott | CEO
Team responds to critical challenges
To be on the front foot against Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), the ATGA team introduced a subsidised male annihilation treatment (MAT) cup initiative (see the cover story on pages 4-6) which created a buzz among producers and the team alike.
Across October and into November, the team was busy taking orders and distributing MAT cups either through collection from the office or by delivering them across the Greater Sunraysia region. The extension team is also facilitating discussions between a Nangiloc/Colignan grower group and entomologists regarding a pilot program introducing parasitism as an option for Qfly fruit control.
The team continues to campaign for innovative options to improve area-wide management of Qfly, such as looking at alternative baiting options and techniques.
In mid-October, Alison visited table grape producers in Far North Queensland, to see production systems and understand the specific challenges
of pest management, marketing, yields, labour, vineyard hygiene and protected cropping in a tropical savanna climate. Production in the far north extends the Australian table grape season, allowing fruit to be available for almost 12 months of the year. Although the trip was primarily to attend a National Fruit Fly Council meeting in Queensland, ATGA was grateful to the producers making time to host the visits.
Karen represented the Australian table grape industry at the 7th annual China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, from 5-10 November, to promote and highlight Australian table grapes. CIIE is a world-class trade fair hosted by China to open its market to the world and promote global economic cooperation. It's estimated that 150,000 domestic and foreign professional purchasers participated in the expo.
Jenny has been focussing on biostimulants and managed to secure the ATGA team a virtual seat at the Biostimulant World Congress in mid-November. The congress was held in Florida and the team attended to gather the latest science and information on biostimulants, as these are becoming more widely used in table grape production in Australia. For an
introduction to biostimulants, see pages 32-33. There will be more information from the congress and literature to follow in upcoming editions of the Vine
As you are all no doubt aware, restricted spring growth (RSG) is unfortunately still with us and constantly on the mind of the team (see pages 28-30). While there weren’t many reports last season, there has been an increase in reports of RSG affecting this season’s spring growth.
As part of this current project’s vine health focus, the team has reached out to Chile, where a scientific team is also looking into RSG. They are now calling it a syndrome as they believe it does not have a single cause. The two teams exchanged their results and then hosted a meeting with agronomic service providers and scientist to explore the Chilean findings and look for solutions v
Alison, Jenny & Karen ATGA industry development team
Left: ATGA industry development team's Alison MacGregor and National Fruit Fly Council members visiting north Queensland growers at Romeo's Best.
Industry pursues new market opportunities
The dried grape industry participated in two international events in October to build market opportunities and fly the flag for the Australian industry in Europe.
Dried Fruits Australia chair Mark King and CEO Thomas Cheung joined processors at SIAL Paris – one of the major trade shows and exhibitions in the world – as part of the industry’s joint marketing program.
SIAL was followed by the International Seedless Dried Grape Producing Countries Conference, where Thomas and Mark represented the Australian industry.
SIAL Paris
Held every two years, SIAL Paris is an international food show, bringing together producers, distributors, restaurateurs and importers-exporters.
This year, the event featured 11 halls for 10 food industry sectors, with more than 7500 exhibitors on show.
Mark and Thomas were among the more than 280,000 professionals from
205 countries to attend the event.
Thomas said working with processors, agents and trading partners was an important part of the joint marketing trip.
“We worked closely with our processors at SIAL Paris to positively promote our industry, processors and our unique quality Australian dried grapes in Europe,” he said.
“The European market is our traditional market and one of the major homes for our quality premium dried grapes.
“Our current export volume to Europe is less than 1 per cent of its total annual import volume.
“Our business partners have always been looking for premium quality fruits from us.”
Sunbeam Foods business manager David Tucker said while the company had a good understanding of the European market, they were looking for new business opportunities, and to market our Australia’s fruit to business partners who appreciate our premium quality Aussie dried fruits.
Thomas said demand for quality dried fruit was high as a result of short global supply.
Buyers stated that demand for quality Australian fruit is increasing in general, across multiple varieties and grades each year. However, consistent supply from Australia has been a problem in the past years and it was hoped that would improve with predicted increasing crop volumes coming from Australia.
DFA is working closely with two processors and BBS in establishing the industry’s strategic marketing and promotional program in the European market.
Thomas says this aims to further elevate the industry’s strong reputation for quality fruits and strengthen relationships with current and new customers.
International Dried Grape Producing Country Conference
The Australian dried grape industry was represented on the world stage at the International Seedless Dried Grape Producing Country Conference.
Thomas said the conference, which followed SIAL Paris, provided an opportunity for fruitful exchange
of ideas and information within the dried grape industry.
Australia joined Türkiye, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, China, Greece and Iran at the event.
The conference highlighted the importance of collaboration and communication within the dried grape industry.
“The conference discussed the current global supply and demand dynamics for dried grapes, noting an increase of 6.14 per cent in the supply of seedless dried grapes compared to the 2023 crop,” Thomas said.
“Carry-over stock volume is significantly decreased, with a 49 per cent drop.
“Despite the increase in Greece’s production of currants, an 8 per cent decrease in the total supply of currants is expected globally due to the decline in beginning stocks.” v
Left : DFA chair Mark King with Sunbeam sales' David Tucker at the European agent BBS' booth..
Below - DFA participates in the International Dried Vine Fruits Producing Country Conference in Paris.
Opposite page - DFA participates in SIAL Paris, promoting Australian premium quality dried fruits together with processors and distributors.
“Our current export volume to Europe is less than 1 per cent of its total annual import volume. Our business partners have always been looking for premium quality fruits from us.”
Industry to lead five-year marketing program
Australian table grape producers will be firmly at the helm of a landmark new international marketing program, designed with growers, for them, and focused on driving global brand recognition for the industry.
The Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) will lead a new Hort Innovation grower-funded fiveyear marketing investment, which will provide a unique opportunity to advance one of Australia’s most highly valued horticulture exports strategically long-term.
The program will aim to forge strong alliances and build trade relationships, drive seasonal awareness and education and build competitive value propositions for Australian table grapes.
What does this program mean for industry?
ATGA chief executive Jeff Scott said he was thrilled to secure the program and to forge ahead with the backing of Hort Innovation.
"Securing this landmark five-year marketing program marks a pivotal moment for our industry,” Jeff said.
“It provides us with a unique opportunity to take a strategic, long-term approach to international table grape promotion, while ensuring we remain agile and responsive to shifting market preferences.
“Producers and exporters will be at the forefront of this initiative, with direct involvement in shaping campaigns and leading the way at trade events.
“This project is not just about growing our product's global presence – it's about empowering our industry to lead, innovate, and shape the future of our market."
ATGA Chair Jeremey Boyd praised Hort Innovation, on behalf of producers, for its commitment to enhancing industry research and development and marketing opportunities.
“I think it’s great that we as growers can have more involvement in the development of the marketing program,” Jeremey said. “We’ll be able to contribute and participate much more, and collectively grow the industry’s reputation globally.
What will the program involve?
Jesse White, ATGA's international marketing manager, said he was eager to build on the success of the
one-year project the ATGA led on behalf of the industry last year.
“The 2025 season will be the second year ATGA is delivering the levyfunded marketing program, and the first of five years of long-term strategic development,” Jesse said.
The five-year program will aim to elevate Australian table grapes through several key pillars, including industry consultation, retail and e-commerce programs, media and influencer engagement, trade events and networking opportunities, branding and asset development, and market intelligence amplification. The program will be overseen by an independent project reference group, which will provide guidance on annual marketing planning to ensure the investment meets the needs of levy payers.
Up to six target markets will be selected for retail marketing engagement each year. In 2024/25, the target markets activating will be Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, The Philippines, Japan, Korea and China. However, delivering the program over five years allows industry to be strategic in its selection of burgeoning markets.
The first stage of includes planning for the upcoming season and the pre-
season trade briefings across Southeast Asia, which were taking place in late November and early-to-mid December.
Annual activities will start with preseason trade missions to four countries with growers and exporters invited to join. Industry collaboration, attendance and involvement is a key feature of the program, and also extends to attendance at season launches.
How will the program unfold this year?
The program set-up phase will take place in January and February and then campaign launches will occur in March, followed by retail programs activating from March until May, depending on the market.
A pre-season briefing took place in early November. The second will take place intra-season, in February, with the third toward the end of the season in May. These grower sessions allow for feedback on planned activities, to ensure the program is meeting the needs of growers and exporters.
Suite of assets sweetens deal
As part of the ATGA’s efforts to strengthen brand recognition globally, ATGA will create a
resource bank of marketing assets for producers and exporters.
Jesse said this initiative would support producers, exporters and retailers with their branding, enhance the in-market presence of Australian grapes, and foster consistent brand recognition across global markets.
“Exporters could use these resources to bolster their in-store point-ofsale and branding efforts,” he said.
“The exporter could simply download the asset and have it printed and used in-store by the retailer.”
These assets will be available for the Australian Grapes branding, but there will also be opportunities for co-branding.
“I believe the true value of developing this brand over this five-year strategic program lies in the longterm impact it creates,” Jesse said.
“This initiative provides a solid foundation for Australian Grapes, setting us on the cusp of significant growth. We're not just building recognition today – this program is about establishing a legacy that will strengthen our market position for years to come." v
- Build a competitive value proposition for Australian table grapes
- Six target markets annually
- Pre-season trade missions to four countries annually
- Industry collaboration & consultation
- Retail & e-commerce programs
- Trade events & networking opportunities
- Branding & asset development
- Market intelligence amplification
" This project is not just about growing our product's global presence – it's about empowering our industry to lead, innovate, and shape the future of our market."
Data guides decisions
NEW TOOL SUPPORTS DRIED APRICOT GROWERS
A new decision support model enables dried apricot growers to develop their business case for investment in new and improved varieties.
The model is known as apricotinvest and is similar to a modelling tool developed for the Australian dried grape industry (GrapeInvest).
To remain financially viable and competitive, dried tree fruit growers need to ensure their farm management is based on industry best practice and remains focused on improving the key drivers of productivity, quality, and profitability.
The apricotinvest model was developed for Australian Dried Tree Fruits through R&D funding provided by Hort Innovation (Project DT23001) to support enhanced profitability and mitigate financial risk for Australia dried tree fruit growers.
In 2018 the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) released 17 new apricot varieties to the Australian apricot industry to improve the cost and profitability of production.
The new varieties retain a traditional full colour cut half style and improve overall cropping reliability, fruit quality and yield as well as improved dry ratios. They are also compatible with mechanised labour-saving production systems such as mechanised picking.
apricotinvest enables testing enterprise models and simulations, giving growers a tool to explore the impact of variable changes to annual margins and longer-term return on investment before opening their wallet to invest.
Traditional dried apricot enterprises have up to 70 per cent of their direct costs consumed by the labour-intensive activities of picking, cutting and scraping.
Typical mature yields can approximate 14.3 fresh tonnes per hectare producing 4 842 tonnes of fresh apricots for drying
over a production period of 18 years.
In most cases, growers aim to achieve a crop ripeness at picking of 80 per cent, with 78 per cent large fruit.
The drying ratio of traditional varieties can average out at 4.6, which produces 3.1 dried tonnes per hectare.
With these yield and cost structures it becomes difficult to maintain economic viability and reinvestment can be prohibitive. The new varieties present a significant opportunity to positively improve the cost structures and return on investment proposition for a dried apricot enterprise.
Every grower will approach the investment case for dried apricots differently to reflect their unique circumstances.
The apricotinvest tool allows that uniqueness to be explored and planned out.
apricotinvest runs a dried apricot investment in yearly increments over a 20-year period to test the sensitivity of variables and their effect on performance and key result indicators.
It can test the sensitivity of a range of enterprise assumptions such as yield, crop ripeness, fruit size, drying ratio, establishment costs, price paid, pruning, picking, cutting and scraping rates, overhead costs, land, machinery and equipment capital investments.
In a recent simulation, two enterprise models were tested. Simulation Run 1 resembled a traditional dried apricot enterprise with a high reliance on manual labour. Run 10 assumed new SARDI varieties and a high degree of mechanisation. The main simulation differences are summarised in Table 1.
Four investment decision criteria were used to assess each simulation:
- Total costs (direct and overhead) as a per cent sales = <50 per cent
- Machinery to Income (dried
apricot sales) ratio = <1
- Interest costs (on overdraft) per cent sales = <10%
- Internal rate of return = >12 per cent
In Simulation Run 1, 54 per cent of total operating costs were consumed by picking, cutting and scraping (Figure 1).
In Run 10, mechanisation assumptions reduced total operating costs to 39 per cent of sales.
A $700,000 investment in machinery and equipment remained under the machinery to income threshold of 1.
Interest costs as a per cent of sales was less than 10 per cent and 0 by year 12.
The internal rate of return for Run 10 easily exceeded the criteria of 12 per cent (Table 2).
This modelling suggests the new dried apricot varieties have the potential to significantly change the cost structure and profitability of the dried apricot enterprise.
The main benefit of apricotinvest is its ability to enable growers to assemble enterprise numbers in one place quickly and easily and explore for themselves the optimum configuration of a dried apricotinvestment tailored to their individual circumstances and using the new SARDI varieties.
apricotinvest can be accessed from the isee exchange using common web browsers.
People interested in using, or facilitating the use of apricotinvest, should contact DTFA secretariat Phil Chidgzey on pwchidgzey@bigpond.com. v
Stephen Chaffey is a private consultant who developed apricotinvest.
Business Support Model
Table 2: Results of decision criteria for simulation Run 1 compared to Run 10.
Figure 1: Example of Simulation Run 1 where 54% of total operating costs were consumed by picking, cutting and scraping.
Table grape investment snapshot 2023/24
Want to know how table grape levy funds were invested in 2023/24?
This snapshot, created from Hort Innovation’s 2023/24 Annual Report and fund reports, shows some of the highlights from the table grape levy investments across the 2023/24 financial year.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS DELIVERED DURING THE YEAR:
$ 1,787,732 invested in R&D
$1,106,175 invested in marketing
$1,115,026 in levies collected by the government and passed on to Hort Innovation for investment
Future-proofing industry: A five-year industry development program, designed to de-risk production by providing access to and information about the newest innovative technologies and best practice opportunities.
Unlocking export potential and streamline market requirements: a new five-year table grape market access and trade development program aims to help producers unlock their global export potential through advice on export requirements, biosecurity preparedness, and advanced market intelligence, to expand business opportunities into key overseas markets.
Enhancing our global brand recognition: the 2023/24 table grape international marketing program aimed to cultivate a globally competitive and trusted Australian table grape industry, driving seasonal awareness and education.
Open communication: continued investment in the table grape industry communications program, maintaining and improving communication to Australian table grape growers and other industry stakeholders. By keeping the industry up to date on R&D and marketing activities, news, events and other critical information, table grape businesses are supported in their decision-making and adoption of new research and technologies.
Dried grape investment snapshot 2023/24
Want to know how dried grape levy funds were invested in 2023/24?
This snapshot, recreated from Hort Innovation's 2023/24 Annual Report, shows some of the highlights from the dried grape levy investments across the 2023/24 financial year.
$110,000 invested in R&D
$108,000 invested in marketing
$179,000 in levies collected by the government and passed on to Hort Innovation for investment
HERE ARE SOME OF THE INVESTMENT HIGHLIGHTS DELIVERED DURING THE YEAR:
Continued industry communications program, delivering the four Vine magazines, Dried Fruits Australia's fortnightly Currant News, disease alerts, social media content, films and resources for the industry’s website www.driedfruitsaustralia.org.au
Launch and release of new dried grape variety Murray Bold – a high-yielding rain-tolerant sultana type – in partnership with Hort Innovation and CSIRO.
Post-COVID, the industry has focused on maintaining key market relationships and exploring new opportunities in Asia and Europe through attendance of growers, peak industry bodies and processors at two trade shows – SIAL Shanghai Exhibition and Anuga European Exhibition – leading to the development of a long-term international marketing strategy.
Investment in innovation and adoption to assist dried grape producers access and share leading and emerging research and knowledge on production techniques to grow skills, improve productivity and keep quality high. This has included resource development, field walks, information sharing and season update crop report films.
Collaborated closely with Hort Innovation and DFA Innovation Committee to run an ideation session, generating a strong pipeline of future projects. v
2024 Table grape communications achievements
The table grape levyfunded communications program is two-thirds completed, as at November 2024. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of the past 12 months.
Streamlining grower contact list
ATGA communications worked on a full contact list audit to ensure we were engaging with growers through correct contact details and communication methods. This has been a time-consuming process, but has meant we could reduce unnecessary waste of magazines and improve overall communications to growers, establishing priority and primary modes of contact for each business and alternative contacts where possible.
Publications
Vine magazine
This year marked the 20-year anniversary of the Vine magazine, and five years of the magazine in its current format.
20 years of the Vine in 2024
Four editions in 2024
Five years since redesign process
Pick of the Bunch
Delivered to 590+ table grape producers, exporters and wider industry participants.
25 editions published in 2024
Increased engagement rate from 50.8% to 52.78%
Export Snapshot
Elevating export information and market intelligence, we introduced the Export Snapshot digital
newsletter as an exclusive release for growers and exporters.
Exclusive market intelligence for producers and exporters
Weekly release, published 16 in 2024
Average engagement rate of 62.26% across 420 grower and exporter subscribers
Table Grape Marketing Update
As part of Table Grape International Marketing Program, delivered by the ATGA and funded by Hort Innovation with table grape marketing levies, the Marketing Update release allowed industry to stay informed on marketing levy activities across the season.
Introduced new Marketing Update newsletter in 2023/24
Designed to enhance marketing levy communication
Produced five across 2023/24 season, and one so far for 2024/25
Tr ade and marketing brochures, presentations
The ATGA worked to update export and trade branding and assets to use at trade events and for exporters. A varieties brochure provides key information on the industry and a spotlight of 30 Australian-grown varieties available for international markets.
o SNAPSHOT
Videos
Bait like a Boss
Increasing video content was an important feature of TG22001. Industry engages well with short, sharp video content that is entertaining and informative. The Bait Like a Boss videos came about organically, evolving into a several-part series, and served to address a gap in education regarding the value of including spray baiting as part of an integrated pest management program for Queensland fruit fly control.
S ocial & web
Managed www.australiangrapes. com.au website and three social media channels: Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook
Developed a web-based supplier directory (to be launched)
Redesigned website varieties section to feed into availability calendar and exporter directory, enhancing integration across all of these pages.
Spotlight on the top 5 pages by pageviews: varieties page, homepage, availability, AUTUMNCRISP® variety product page and growing regions. v
Delivering tailored solutions for table grape producers, A nity Labs is the science supporting your success. Grapevine virus testing
Microbiological analysis
Packaging services
Shelf-life testing
Sustainability
Merbein laboratory 0437 151 010 merbein@a nitylabs.com.au a nitylabs.com.au
Farm makes electric switch
Duxton Dried Fruits has transitioned to electric ultra terrain vehicles on its Wemen dried grape block in an effort to reduce costs and improve sustainability.
The company was the recipient of a Victorian Government Commercial Sector Innovation Fund grant, which allowed them to replace six diesel-powered UTVs with electric, and install a complementing solar and battery storage system to charge the new vehicles.
The total project cost was $500,000, with Duxton Dried Fruits co-contributing $140,000.
The grant was awarded in October 2022, but given the impact of the 202223 flooding event, the company was granted a 12-month project extension.
During that time, the vehicles that were planned to arrive from Polaris were recalled to address some charging issues, so Duxton Dried Fruits switched to New Zealand manufacturer Tuatara to receive the first four vehicles, before the final two Polaris UTVs were delivered later.
A year on from the transition, we caught up with Duxton Capital Australia’s sustainability project officer Henry Young to see how the initiative has changed on-farm operations, and what the company has learnt.
What difference have the electric UTVs made to on-farm operations/profitability since they were introduced?
Our reliance on the fuel bowser has been greatly reduced. This has improved profitability and operational efficiencies.
They’ve been well-received and they function exactly the same as a diesel powered one, which we had.
What was that transition process to electric UTVs like? Have there been any downsides or challenges along the way?
There have been a heap of learnings from the project. The initial machines from New Zealand manufacturer, Tuatara, have had to have steering wear parts such as CV joints upgraded to what comes standard in the Polaris machines.
As electric vehicles have considerable
levels of torque we have had to limit the power delivery as the machines are capable of ground disturbance on the vine headlands.
The charging systems have had to be fixed a couple of times on the Tuatara machines to automatically switch charging between both batteries.
They were an easy transition. There was some skepticism from the workers, but when they went for a drive, they were quickly converted.
What can other dried grape producers learn from this initiative? Is there any advice you’d give to others?
As part of the grant, there was a solar and battery component, so we’ve got a 60kW rooftop solar system and 103kW battery storage system.
It really makes sense when you’ve got solar and battery. When you have that system, the savings really become evident.
As a standalone system purchasing power the savings may not be as high, but when coupled with solar and battery storage the machines have been fantastic.
All the machines are recharged overnight and with the ability to update the operating systems of the Polaris machines the on-board batteries have the potential to increase our farm’s battery storage if we encounter power infrastructure supply issues.
The Polaris machines’ quality of parts mean we have had less down time with these machines compared to the Tuataras.
The Tuatara machines are a more practical agricultural vehicle with a hydraulic tip tray and solid tie down points at the front and rear to mount attachments to. v
As we come to the final edition of the Vine magazine for 2024, we want to hear from you, our readers.
Twenty years since the Vine began, and four years since its last major redesign and refresh, the editorial team is taking the time to survey our readers to ensure the magazine is providing the best value to our table grape and dried grape industries.
The last such combined survey helped to shape the Vine magazine as it is today.
We have designed the survey to find out about our readers and what you
want to hear most about – from the content you read, to how you receive it.
Visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y9PF26M to share your feedback and thoughts about how the Vine can best support you in 2025 and beyond.
It should take no more than about 10 minutes.
We hope to hear from as many of you as possible. v To share your feedback, scan the QR code.
RSG syndrome in table grape vineyards
Table grape producers in the Greater Sunraysia region continue to report symptoms of restricted spring growth (RSG) in their vineyards.
Three years on from the first report in Australian table grapes, we continue to explore what RSG is – or isn't – whether it's seen in other grapeproducing countries, and what the Australian Table Grape Association is doing to help affected producers.
What is restricted spring growth?
RSG is the name given to a disorder in grapevines which, exactly as the name describes, restricts growth that occurs in spring. RSG is described as a syndrome because it is the expression of multiple symptoms.
The RSG that was reported in 2021 in Sunraysia exhibited symptoms including uneven and delayed bud burst, retarded shoot growth, shortened internodes, zig-zagged shoots, and shoots with browning in the pith. Some canes produced clusters of small cabbage-like leaves, with inflorescences that either failed or developed into poorly formed bunches.
Is RSG only in table grapes?
While reporting of RSG in table grape vineyards has escalated since 2021, a type of RSG was widespread in the Murray Valley during the 1990s in wine grapes, and reported even earlier, in the 1930s.
Researchers in the 1990s concluded that the RSG prevalent in wine grapes was caused by stress – from dry autumn and
winter conditions, and low carbohydrate reserves as vines went into dormancy. Symptoms in wine grapes were also associated with presence of bud mites. However, the definitive cause or causes were never identified, and since the 1990s RSG in wine grapes has been rare.
In 2024 there were also a few reports of RSG-type symptoms in dried fruit and wine grape varieties.
How widespread is RSG in table grapes in Australia?
Most of the reporting of RSG in table grapes has been from the Greater Sunraysia area, with occasional reports from Queensland – in particular, relating to young vines – and an unconfirmed report in Western Australia.
Is the RSG reported overseas the same as seen in Australian table grapes?
The symptoms of RSG seen in Australian vineyards are a close match with symptoms also observed since 2021 in Chile, the USA, South Africa, and possibly Iran. The typical symptoms are delayed and stunted shoot development and aborting of inflorescences. In the USA, the syndrome is called delayed spring growth (DSG), and in Chile it is called RSG syndrome. In South Africa, a syndrome described as growth arrestment phenomenon (GAP) also causes delayed and stunted shoots, aborted inflorescences, although there were some differences to the Australian RSG.
One interesting difference between Australian RSG and reports from overseas is that researchers in the USA, Chile and South Africa do not refer to darkened pith, although Variety Rootstock Nursery Row
Nematodes
Mites
Other vectors
DISEASES VECTORS
SURVEY
ATGA investigation into RSG (to 2024)
Carbohydrates
Mineral
UTRITION
Scientists Agronomists
RESTRICTED
SPRING GROWTH
Irrigation management
Nutritional inputs
Interrow management
Pruning & cincturing
Hygiene
Protected cropping
Spray drift
Pest control
Disease control
Weed control
Plant growth regulators
Dry soils
Changing seasonal conditions
Dust storms
dark pith is a common symptom in Australia. It is not known whether the darkened pith seen in Australia is a secondary effect of damaged shoots or is causal to RSG in Australia.
In 2019, Iranian researchers attributed stunted growth and darkened pith to a fungus new to grapevines. The fungus has since been reported in the USA and Mexico in vines with trunk disease symptoms, although not specifically with RSG.
What has the ATGA investigated as possible causes of RSG?
Over the past few years, the ATGA has collaborated with Australian and international scientists and agronomic specialists to brainstorm possible causes of RSG, and to establish an approach for sampling and diagnostics.
To explore possible pathological causes, the ATGA coordinated testing of leaf, shoot, root, trunk, and soil samples by accredited laboratories, for viruses, bacteria, phytoplasma, fungi and trunk diseases.
To search for vectors that might be associated with RSG, ATGA sent root and bud samples to diagnostic labs for nematode and mite identification and counts.
To explore whether there was a link to carbohydrate or micronutrient levels in symptomatic and non-symptomatic vines, leaves and roots were sent to
an overseas laboratory for testing.
Samples sent by the ATGA to Agriculture Victoria, Charles Sturt University and SARDI were tested using traditional and molecular methodologies, to detect known and exotic pathogens.
Unfortunately, none of the above test results could be correlated to the observed RSG.
The ATGA shared all the diagnostic results with individual producers who provided samples. To keep industry informed, the ATGA organised open information sessions, for producers and agronomists, with scientists to share and explain the de-identified results.
During the summer of 2021-22, the ATGA conducted formal surveys with producers relating to 38 vineyard patches, to understand current vineyard management practices. Informal surveys and discussions with producers continue.
What do researchers overseas think causes RSG syndrome?
In the USA, researchers from UC Davis consider cold and bud dehydration to be critical factors causing DSG, as they call it. US researchers have also found links between DSG and overcropping, late harvest, and excessive late season growth.
In Chile, researchers have linked water deficit in autumn to RSG in spring,
and also saw a temperature effect. The Chilean trials indicated that vines entering dormancy late were more prone to cold damage, probably because the canes were not fully lignified.
The Chilean researchers also found that levels of arginine were lower in RSG-affected vines than unaffected vines. Arginine is an important amino acid for nitrogen storage and recycling in plants. They also saw differences in the vascular cambium and xylem vessels in symptomatic vines compared to non-symptomatic vines. The measurable differences in arginine and vascular structures supports the theory that RSG has a physiological cause rather than being caused by a pathogen. However, researchers overseas are still investigating pathogenic causes.
Next steps
The ATGA continues to explore possible pathological and physiological causes of RSG and is in communication with producers, researchers and agronomists, in Australia and overseas.
For resources and information, visit australiangrapes.com.au v
Alternative option for drying fruit
PUTTING NEW METHOD TO THE TEST
An alternative method for dehydrating fruit was put to the test this year, and trials are ongoing to make the process more efficient.
Merbein dried grape grower and mechanical engineer Stephen Bennett collaborated with Australian Premium Dried Fruits to prepare a report on the effectiveness of a diesel heater for drying fruit.
Stephen explained the trial came about by coincidence, when he needed to upgrade from an old kerosene dehydrator, but he was having trouble sourcing a certified gas dehydrator.
“I had been talking to Larry at APDF. APDF bought some (Jetfire IP-110 diesel dehydrators) and I asked if we could borrow one of them and in return trial it, take measurements, collect data and do some analysis,' Stephen said.
The initial trial, which ran for the first time on the 2024 harvest, found diesel was a viable alternative to gas – the most common energy source for dehydration currently.
Stephen found the diesel heater was not quite as powerful as gas, so would not dry fruit quite as fast, resulting in drying less fruit each day.
However, Stephen said while it may not be quite as powerful, it proved easy to use and was much more convenient than gas.
“It’s certainly more convenient because you only have to fill it up with diesel that we’ve already got on the property for tractors,” he said.
“The other issue with gas is the regulations that have to be complied with. There’s none of that with these diesel heaters,
so it’s a lot more convenient.
“The other advantage of airheaters is they’re indirectly heating, so some people might have a concern about letting diesel fumes through to the fruit, but with this system the flame and hot air are separated, so there’s no hot air emissions from the combustion at all going through the fruit, it’s just clean air.”
When buying his own new dehydrator, Stephen said he would now opt for diesel over gas after his experience during the season.
He’s also keen to continue to make adjustments and trial new approaches with the hope of making the process more efficient.
“If you had two of these units, I think it would be equivalent to what we’re able to do with gas,” Stephen said.
“The cost to run would be similar on a per tonne basis (with two units) because you’d be able to dry more fruit in one go.”
Stephen was also interested in finding new ways to remove labour in the dehydrating process, as well as looking at trying new ways to direct airflow through the fruit.
“Normally it is directing airflow through from above and exhausting out the bottom, but I’d like to reverse that and go from the bottom up and exhaust out the top. I think it would be more efficient; we lose a lot of heat through covers, whereas if it’s ducted underneath, you’ve got less air that isn’t insulated and will lose less heat,” he said.
“I think there’s room for more innovation.” v
Dehydration trial using diesel heater
Total amount of dried vine fruit dehydrated 94.5 tonnes
Weighted average moisture content 17.6%
Average fuel consumption 8.5 litres/hour
Average fuel cost per tonne* $27.86/tonne
Average tonnes dried/day 3.25 Average drying rate 0.6 % moisture/hour
Let’s talk biostimulants!
Nearly all producers would have heard of biostimulants or have used them already.
Biostimulants are sold under many different banners, such as plant conditioners, bio-effectors, and others. But what are they and how do they work? Are they worth the money?
To answer these questions, let’s identify what biostimulants actually are. In this article we look very broadly at the categories biostimulants fall into, and how they work.
What are biostimulants?
A plant biostimulant is defined by what it does – stimulate a plant’s biological response – not what it is made of. This makes defining biostimulants quite difficult, as it includes a wide array of substances and the associated modes of action.
Over time the definition of biostimulants has evolved, particularly as their use grew in Europe and increased the need for regulation.
Biostimulants were first defined as “any substance of microorganism applied to plants with the aim to enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress
tolerance and/or crop quality traits, regardless of its nutrient content”.
Nowadays, biostimulant categories include humic and fulvic substances, free amino acids, seaweed extracts, chitin, inorganic salts, antitranspirants (kaolin) and beneficial fungi and bacteria, among others. As the formulations being sold can be very complex, it is very difficult to understand which are the active ingredients.
The European Union is currently the biggest market for biostimulants and has introduced tight regulations. Plant biostimulants must comply with product requirements and prove their efficacy before they get an accreditation.
A key driver for the use of biostimulants in the EU is the “European Farm to Fork” strategy, which is calling for a 50 per cent reduction in use and risk of chemical pesticides, a 50 per cent reduction of nutrient losses and a 20 per cent reduction in the use of fertilisers by 2030. Additionally, it aims to have 25 per cent of agricultural land under organic farming.
By contrast, Australia is yet to regulate biostimulants, and there is no requirement to prove efficacy.
So, how do biostimulants work?
This will depend on the product – in general, plant biostimulants may help plants use already available resources more efficiently, and that may help plants to cope better with extreme temperatures, drought, water logging etc. Many biostimulants aim to improve quality traits such as sugar content, or tolerance of handling, or postharvest shelf life. Unfortunately, the modes of action are interconnected in complex ways not all yet fully understood.
How crop-specific are biostimulants?
Short answer – it depends! Microbial biostimulants can improve the microflora in the soil and have an indirect effect on plants. Thus, soil conditions might have a bigger influence on the performance of these products than the crop type itself.
Some biostimulants provide very general benefits which may work similarly across groups of crops –for example, promoting early root growth. However, because success is defined differently across crops, the effects of biostimulants on
quality may vary greatly. In other words, what improves a quality trait for some crops does not necessarily have the same impact on others.
Can biostimulants replace conventional fertilisers?
Biostimulants have potential to complement current fertiliser regimes. If they improve nutrient uptake and use by a vine, they may improve general plant vigour and growth. While this may lead to reducing the
Key points
A biostimulant is any substance or microorganism applied to plants with the aim to enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and/or crop quality traits, regardless of its nutrients content. The label can be applied to any commercial products containing mixtures of such substances and/or microorganisms.
Biostimulants are defined by what they do (stimulating a plant/bio response), not by
number of fertilizers applied, it will not reduce the amount of mineral nutrients that plants need. v
Jenny Treeby
ATGA industry development team jtreeby@atga.net.au
View the australiangrapes.com.au website for sources and additional resources.
Stay tuned
In the February edition of the Vine , we will look at the different biostimulant categories and the ways biostimulants might work, including:
- act as chelating agents and improve nutrient availability in the soil
- influence the biological composition of the rhizosphere around the roots, enhancing nutrient recycling and promoting a better soil environment
- plant relationship
what they are made of.
Plant biostimulants may help plants use already available resources more efficiently and help them better cope with extreme conditions - they do not replace fertiliser regimes
Biostimulants that enhance the rootzone of crops tend to be less specific than biostimulants that can influence crop quality traits.
- influence plant function from the smallest level up to a whole plant level
- alter patterns of growth and functions of plants as some contain/produce bioactive compounds
- affect genetic expression – up or down regulating genes that control core plant functions.
Take a look at this (limited) database of scientific data on plant biostimulants from trials, such as biostimulant information, trial details, crops tested, application rate, timing and description of effects: https://bio4safe.eu/ biostimulant-database?search_ api_fulltext=Vitis+vinifera
Positive signs as season progresses
AUSTRALIAN PREMIUM DRIED FRUITS
As we head into summer, the risk of frost has diminished, and overall growing conditions have been favourable so far.
A minor frost event occurred midSeptember, but most growers managed to avoid significant damage.
However, some growers in the Riverina region did suffer substantial losses.
Bunch counts appear positive, and the vines seem to have recovered well from the effects of downy mildew seen a couple of seasons ago.
This is also the first season we are implementing AI bunch count technology on our farm, which should prove to be a valuable tool for crop estimations in the future, once sufficient data has been gathered.
Coles, one of the major supermarket chains, has launched Sunmuscats in their produce section.
We hope the entire industry will support this initiative, as its success would benefit all stakeholders.
Sunmuscats are now the largest variety by volume, making this a key opportunity for the industry.
Customer demand remains strong, both domestically and internationally, although the export program has now concluded.
Looking ahead, market conditions should remain favourable over the
next 12 months, in part due to reduced yields in Turkey, the world’s largest producer of dried vine fruit.
Recently, fruit flies have become a growing concern in the Australian viticulture industry, posing a significant threat to grape crops.
These pests, which can cause substantial damage by laying eggs in the fruit, have the potential to reduce both yield and quality.
With their recent introduction, growers are now facing new challenges in pest management, as fruit flies can spread rapidly if not controlled effectively.
To combat this, many vineyards are adopting integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, which include monitoring, traps, and targeted insecticides.
If left unchecked, fruit flies could not only disrupt harvests but also impact export markets, where stringent pest-free standards must be met.
We strongly encourage our growers to plan and organise their harvesting equipment well in advance to meet the tight deadlines of the upcoming harvest season.
Timing is critical, as crops must be harvested at their peak ripeness to ensure optimal quality and yield.
Any delays in securing or maintaining equipment could lead to serious inefficiencies, particularly if unexpected adverse weather – such as rain or
storms – disrupts operations.
With the narrow harvest window and the risk of compressed timelines due to crop maturation, growers must remain proactive to avoid potential setbacks and maximise productivity. v
Enquiries:
Grower communications officer
Megan Rogers (03) 5025 6210 megan@apdf.com.au
Below:
Above: Australian Sunmuscats are on the shelves in Coles supermarkets.
Bunches forming on our farm at Nangiloc.
Centre celebrates grand opening
SUNBEAM FOODS & ANGAS PARK
The grand opening of the new National Distribution Centre Warehouse in Irymple was held on 26 October.
About 200 Sunbeam and Angas Park employees, growers and their families toured the new warehouse and the factory that feeds the warehouse.
Visitors were treated to guided tours, food, drinks and giveaways for the children.
Sunbeam Foods general manager Steve Sinclair was delighted with the day.
“We commenced operating from this facility on 1 July 2024 and are very happy with how it operates and integrates with our manufacturing facility,” he said.
“This distribution centre sets up the Sunbeam Foods and Angas Park brands distribution across Australia and throughout the world for the coming decades.”
Dried vine fruit
The 2025 crop is shaping up well. Bunch numbers are very good on nearly all varieties across the various growing areas. Flowering is complete and fruit set looks promising.
The new early maturing varieties are building on the potential crop loads shown in 2024 – further encouragement these emerging varieties will be a substantial benefit to the industry. The threat of Queensland fruit fly was apparent in 2024 and there is evidence numbers will escalate this season.
Growers have limited options for cover sprays, so it is important to use other methods for detection and control.
Dried Fruits Australia has offered subsidised traps that growers should implement as a base strategy. More work is being done on other control methods as we see this issue is not going away.
It is not too late access the GrapeWeb online spray diary. It is at no cost to the grower and will become compulsory in the future.
Chemical applications are a major focus and changing requirements make it necessary for growers to have the latest information available. Even now after the release of the 2024/2025 DFA Spray Diary (hard copy) there are changes to withholding periods and the range of available chemicals. The GrapeWeb Spray Diary has all this information up to date.
Prunes
The trees flowered with a very dense flower number followed by a very good fruit set.
Many growers used GreenAtlas technology to gain a detailed understanding of fruit numbers on individual trees.
Across the grower base, about 70 per cent of trees have been mechanically thinned to aid fruit sizing and optimise sugar.
The frost events had a small impact on a few orchards but there was no damage that will reduce the crop potential.
This 2024 harvest has been a very difficult period for most growers as it has certainly been for Angas Park.
Reliance on imported prunes with shipping delays and challenging quality, which has required additional processing, has everyone eagerly anticipating the return to 100 per cent Australian product next year. While our prune processing line has been dormant, we have completed a major upgrade that will have benefits from 2025 onwards.
Dried tree fruit
The frost periods that ravaged the Riverland and other parts of the country in October had a small
impact on some apricot trees but the damage was minimal.
The frosts came at a very delicate period in the growth stage of the trees and there was a high threat that significant fruit losses could have occurred.
Both old and newer apricot varieties have set an above average crop and the weather is playing its part in crop development.
Maturity is looking slightly earlier than last year and fruit size and sugar accumulations should be good.
Dried tree fruit growers are encouraged to get involved with Australian Dried Tree Fruits Inc. as it has arisen after a layoff period starting with Covid-19. The committee is keen to have growers involved and providing input into the industry’s future.
The industry is establishing a communications distribution list. To be included, email the ADTF secretary Phil Chidgzey at pwchidgzey@bigpond.com v
Enquiries:
Grower Services | 03 5051 4400
Supply Manager - Dried Fruit
David Swain | 0407 834 044
Field Officer - Dried Vine Fruit
Gary Simpson | 0429 960 234
Dried Tree Fruits Operations
Manager – Loxton
Luke Fitzsimmons | 0431 894 515
In celebration 20 years of the Vine
From the archives
Future-proofing industry
August 2020
Table grape growers Australiawide will soon have access to a national extension service.
The Australian Table Grape Association has secured the first major Australiawide extension project for the industry, which will assist with the adoption of industry best practice, innovation for production and postharvest capabilities for table grape growers in all major growing regions.
The three-year project, Extension of technologies and best management practice to the Australian table grape industry, was funded by Hort Innovation using the table grape research and development levy and funds from the Australian government.
Stories of note
Traceability: Project set to protect and
enhance table grape exports
November 2021
ATGA secured a major project to strengthen table grape traceability, partnering with Agriculture Victoria to lead the Victorian Government-funded pilot. Result Group developed an end-to-end traceability system to enable real-time tracking and data acquisition across the table grape supply chain, allowing participating producer-exporter Perfection Fresh to verify provenance and reduce food fraud.
It will involve hiring two new ATGA staff members – an industry development manager (IDM) and industry development officer (IDO) – conducting workshops, field days and forums, and producing content to help develop greater informationsharing across the industry.
ATGA CEO Jeff Scott said the project announcement was “exciting news” for the industry, and looked forward to the project kicking off formally when, it is anticipated, events could be held in-person, in early 2021.
“These sessions will be very similar to the very successful InnoGrape program the ATGA conducted a few years ago,” Jeff said. “It is hoped to provide industry with best practice and innovation for production and postharvest capabilities for all table grape growers. In turn, this will drive domestic and export market development and access through increased industry
Springing
into action: industry responds to restricted spring growth
May 2022
ATGA and industry responded to reports from producers and agronomists that symptoms of restricted spring growth had been seen in Australian table grapes, previously identified only in wine grapes in the 1990s. Sunraysia producers reported the stunted growth which led to the development of thinktanks and research and analysis by the ATGA.
knowledge and awareness.”
Alison MacGregor, who provides consultancy services to viticulture, delivered a number of the wellreceived InnoGrape field day sessions in 2015/2016. Alison said the role of an IDO would provide essential representation for Australian table grape growers on practical issues.
Consumer acceptability at five-year high
May 2020
Consumer acceptability reached its highest point in five years, for the 2019/20 season. Efforts to improve quality and consumer acceptability paid off, as the table grape supply chain quality 2017-2020 project, funded by Hort Innovation using table grape levy funds, reached its completion. An ongoing maturity project would then support adoption of the minimum maturity standards moving forward.
CELEBRATING YEARS OF THE VINE
Measuring success in dried grape production
February 2020
Sunraysia’s best performing dried grape patches last year produced upwards of 10 tonnes per hectare, setting the standing for what can be achieved.
Some of the properties involved in Dried Fruits Australia’s (DFA) benchmarking project have achieved this level of production, across key varieties Sunmuscat, Sunglo and Carina currants, for several years.
A total of 12 dried grape sites were involved in the Hort Innovation-funded project, which aimed to determine the most effective production practices by comparing activities undertaken in the vineyard.
The data, collected over three years, provided benchmarks of viticultural practices and
Rich history in the spotlight
August 2021
More than 100 years of Dried Fruits Australia’s organisational history was archived to ensure it’s preserved for years to come.
While the archiving project offered insights into the industry’s long history, historian Nikki Henningham said the records also painted a picture of social, environmental and technological advances. The Melbourne historian was engaged to tackle the mammoth task of preserving DFA’s records after the organisation successfully applied for a local history grant in 2019.
production levels and costs.
DFA field officer Stuart Putland said the best performing patches for the 2018-19 season shared a number of key characteristics.
“The vines are all in their high production phase, aged between five and 25 years old,” Stuart said.
“The program also includes one site less than four years old, which is on its way up to 10 tonnes per hectare, and another that is at least 25 years old, which is well below that figure.”
Stuart said the high achievers were all on swingarm trellis, with vines spaced along the row at 3.5 to 4.5 metres.
Nearly all the patches in the benchmarking project were drip irrigated, with only one low level sprinkler system in the mix.
According to Stuart, nutrition also contributed significantly to the sites’ strong performances.
Dried grape plantings grow February 2023
The traditionally wheat-growing region of the Millewa in Victoria’s north-west might not be where you’d expect to find some of the dried grape industry’s newest plantings.
But that’s exactly what was happening at Grewal Farms at Cullulleraine, between Mildura and the South Australian border.
Grewal Farms – a family-operated business – has taken the leap into dried grape growing and the newcomers shared their enthusiasm for what they see as a positive future for the industry.
“Many growers are fertigating throughout most of the season and delivering at least 70kg of nitrogen per hectare,” he said.
“Some growers even included the price of getting specific professional nutrition advice as part of their production costs.”
Industry’s bold move
February 2024
A new variety entered the dried grape industry, and it could be a “game changer” for managing risks in the vineyard.
Dried Fruits Australia launched Murray Bold, the industry’s latest variety, at its first event for 2024.
About 60 dried grape growers attended the launch at South Merbein, where they had an opportunity to find out more about the variety’s attributes and commercialisation arrangements, while being able to sample it, and see it on the vines ahead of harvest.v
Profile Matt Williams
Matt Williams grew up on a dried grape block in Red Cliffs, where after high school he worked for a neighbour who ran a dried fruit block and was developing more land with swingarm trellis.
After 10 years in the electrical trade, Matt has gone full-circle and is back on the block again.
What do you like about the dried grape industry?
I really love the lifestyle. Yes, some days can be busy but I really enjoy the work. I also have spent a lot of time learning about agronomy, plant and soil health.
I am taking a more regenerative approach to farming now and have a new passion for growing high quality nutrient dense food without relying on chemicals anywhere near as much.
I have been able to produce some really good crops and have actually become more profitable.
I have a great network of people around me with a wealth of knowledge who are always happy to help each other.
I also love the fact that when us growers have a new idea that might seem a bit radical or out of the box we can just walk out the back door and put our ideas to work.
I’m always keen to see new inventions and modifications to machines that growers have made.
How have things changed over the years you've been in the industry?
I have definitely been a firsthand witness to the rise in mechanisation from my own family’s block hand picking old sultanas on T-trellis to finally re-developing and planting new varieties. I’ve spent a fair bit of time assisting with harvesters and wetting machines being built.
Where do you see the industry going and how do you see things changing?
Working as an electrician, I have spent a lot of time out and about and it's been a great opportunity to meet growers of all different crops and see what everyone is doing.
I am hearing a lot of confidence in the industry and a lot of talk of growers converting to dried fruit. I’ve also seen some of the larger family and corporate developments, which is definitely a good thing for the industry.
It would be good to see some of that corporate investment work its way into things like new techniques and machinery. There still isn’t really any commercially available equipment for dried fruit, yet you can walk into a dealer and order a new
wine grape harvester or header.
Is there anything new or innovative that you're doing on your block you'd like to share?
Last season I successfully converted an old UR wine grape harvester to pick swingarm trellis. I worked on it for about two days and spent no extra money to do this.
From then on it was a bit of trial and error and a little bit of investment but it really didn’t take much for us to stop relying on a contractor and be harvesting our own fruit when we want to. Worst case scenario, if there is rain forecast it takes me to operate the machine and one person to drive a tractor. A few extra bins of light fruit in the shed is better than none and I’m not paying for a contractor to wait around.
This machine paid for itself in a season when you consider the cost of a contractor.
This is something that the smaller family sized operations really need to think about.
For the past two years I have prototyped a cane slapper that allows me to completely pull out a row in one pass, without undoing the floating wire. I also run a mulcher behind the tractor. With a bit of trial and error I had this whole machine set up to operate with minimal concentration and as I’m not using a cutter bar there was much less carnage.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Growers should use the resources available to them for high-yielding and nutrient-dense crops such as reading up on agronomy, taking time to learn about soil health and listen to the experts as I have learnt a wealth of knowledge from Graeme Sait and other people around me and it’s really paid off. v
Notice board
Right: Dried Fruits Australia hosted Hort Innovation’s September board meeting in Mildura, where representatives were given an insight into the dried grape industry on a tour of the growing region.
Below: Stephen Bennett hosted growers and industry personnel at a fieldwalk to showcase the latest updates and development to a mechanical winter pruner.
Left: Fourteen producers and exporters embarked on an important outbound mission to Japan in November. The event was a pivotal part of the pre-season promotional calendar for Japan, following expanded market access, and allowed participants to gain valuable market research and build relationships.
Below: In September, as Hort Innovation’s board descended on Sunraysia for a board meeting in the region, several board members visited local table grape and other horticulture producers, including GrapeCo at Merbein South.
Mark King (Chair) Producer, Pomona
Warren Lloyd (Deputy Chair) Producer, Irymple
Stephen Bennett Producer, Merbein
Ashley Johnstone Producer, Irymple
BOARD
BOARD
Ashley Chabrel Producer, Barmera
Rowena Smart Producer, Red Cliffs
Jeremey Boyd (Chair) Victoria
Rocky Mammone (Deputy Chair) Victoria
Dominic Sergi Victoria
Robert Nugan Victoria
Don Albanese Victoria
David Swain Sunbeam Foods
Steve Sinclair Sunbeam Foods
Craig Greenwood
Australian Premium Dried Fruits
Michael Scalzo
Australian Premium Dried Fruits
James Shopov Producer, Duxton
Nathan Jilbert Specialist, Cardross
Joe Garreffa New South Wales
Anthony Cirillo New South Wales
Bill Avery South Australia
Kyle Lovreta Western Australia
Disclaimer: Dried Fruits Australia, the Australian Table Grape Association and Hort Innovation acknowledge contributions made by private enterprise through placement of advertisements in this publication. Acceptance of these contributions does not endorse or imply endorsement of any product or service advertised by contributors and we expressly disclaim all warranties (to the extent permitted by law) about the accuracy, completeness, or currency of information in the Vine. Reliance on any information provided in the Vine is entirely at your own risk. Dried Fruits Australia, the Australian Table Grape Association and Hort Innovation are not responsible for, and will not be liable for, any loss, damage, claim, expense, cost (including legal costs) or other liability arising in any way, including from any person’s negligence or otherwise, or from reliance on information contained in the Vine, or your use or non-use of the material.
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