DFA CHAIR & CEO NEWS
Supporting our industry A note from our chair What a year it’s been so far, with heat, wind and rain all taking a toll on our crops. Then, of course, there’s the coronavirus, which gives us all more to think about. At the time of writing, we’re about 75 per cent of the way through harvest, and the fruit we’ve already sent in from my property has weighed exceptionally well – a contrast to last year. There was a small crop on some old sultana vines that ripened early this season, so we decided to dry them as naturals. This saved us some dollars on oil and potassium, as well as labour costs for spraying, and we were able to cut them in the first week of February. With water prices high, I believe it’s of the utmost importance to cut costs wherever possible. Sometimes it doesn’t pay to do what we normally would. Those sultana vines will get a rough pruning this year and be cut off next harvest. The patch will be replaced with a variety like Selma Pete, which comes in early and is high yielding and rain tolerant. We also have Sunmuscat and Sunglo, which are reliable bearers but mature late in the season, so Selma Pete will spread out our harvest and minimise our risk.
Mark King | Chair
To ensure our voice is heard at this time, DFA has been having frequent phone and video meetings with industry and government. These provide opportunities to comment on the issues most important to us, including the coronavirus, MurrayDarling Basin Plan, biosecurity and labour. While we may be past harvest requirements, DFA is trying to make sure labour will be available for pruning. The DFA board and staff wish you and your family all the best. We know you will get through this changing and challenging time.
News from our CEO 2020. A very challenging year thus far – to say the least. For growers and processors, the issues have been confronting: weather, with both heat and rain affecting crop production, and of course COVID-19 and the rapid impact it’s had across all communities and businesses. DFA is committed to providing relevant and up-to-date information to assist our industry with workplace changes and impacts on horticulture as a result of COVID-19. This information is distributed regularly through Currant News, social media, the DFA website, and as part of this
magazine. All staff are now working remotely, with new systems in place to ensure we can quickly and efficiently respond to the latest updates and continue to advocate strongly on behalf of dried grape producers and processors. Involvement in the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Horticulture Council ensures DFA has a direct link to the federal government, particularly the agriculture minister and key staff from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. DFA participates in a weekly forum with the department to ensure issues our industry is experiencing through the course of this pandemic are responded to. Other work continues in a somewhat altered format. While we may be working remotely, we are still available to take calls, answer emails, and provide support to our members. All staff interact daily and we continue to work closely with funding partners, such as Hort Innovation, to ensure the delivery of key objectives, including the industry development and communications programs. While, at the time of writing, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the longer-term health and economic impacts of COVID-19, DFA will continue to work hard to advocate for and support our industry. v
Anne Mansell | CEO
VINE MAGAZINE 11