Vine magazine August 2023

Ready for the picking season?

Dual weight ranging compact scale

Robust and reliable, the light-weight Japanese designed IPC series of compact scales can withstand rough conditions to produce accurate weight results, and runs on only two D-size batteries Dual range weighing improves weighing data, and has a large LCD screen for easy reading and a helpful battery ‘save’ function. The IPC comes in 3kg, 6kg, 15kg and 30kg weighing models, with a water proof model also available.

Trade approved and certified

National Measurement Institute (NMI) approved for trade within Australia and C-Tick Compliant.

The Vine is a joint publication of the Australian table grape and dried fruits industries. For editorial and advertising enquiries, contact:

Dried Fruits Australia

T: (03) 5023 5174

E: admin@driedfruitsaustralia.org.au

W: www.driedfruitsaustralia.org.au

Australian Table Grape Association

P: 0438 316 339

E: tmilner@atga.net.au

W: www.australiangrapes.com.au

Editorial committee:

DFA Thomas Cheung, Megan Frankel-Vaughan

ATGA Jeff Scott, Terryn Milner

Design: Kylie Norton Design Printing: Sunnyland Press

Cover photo: 2023 Dried Fruits Australia Top Crop Award overall winner Daryn Gardner. Photography by David Sickerdick.

© Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited 2023

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.

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39 Marketing Making market connections

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42 Profile Zoë Dichiera

Looking to a strong start for season 2024

We've closed the door on another season and are already looking ahead to what the next will bring.

In table grapes, while the production year is just beginning, we’re already in the midst of export registration season. As we prepare for what’s tipped to be a more promising season, we delve into 2023 export results and look ahead to the second half of our year.

In dried grapes, we take a look back at how the industry fared in one of its most challenging seasons in recent years, and how it might recover. We also celebrate and highlight those growers who achieved good results this year.

Both the table and dried grape industries are looking ahead to a strong start to a brighter 2024 season.

– from the team

For further publication details, see page 43

Striving for Top Crop

REWARDING INDUSTRY’S BEST PRODUCERS

Daryn Gardner has taken out this year's Dried Fruits Australia Top Crop Awards – but he’s not resting there.

The Cardross grower was the overall winner of the awards, producing 14.469 tonnes to the hectare of Carina currants.

His overall win comes after he won the currant category in last year’s inaugural Top Crop Awards with 13.644t/ha.

The Top Crop Awards were established to recognise growers who produce the highest value crop, based on their final yields, grades and any deductions and publicly known base level pricing.

Daryn grew up on a fruit block at Nichols Point.

A division one nurse by trade, Daryn and his wife Bernadette bought their block in 1994.

The pair slowly redeveloped the dried grape, citrus and avocado property, replanting dried grapes.

Daryn retired from nursing to become a full-time blockie – a lifestyle he says suits him well.

“At work you deal with people all the time, and in the block it’s just serene, you’re out there by yourself, with the radio,” he says.

“I think that’s why you buy a fruit block – you buy for the lifestyle.”

In a challenging season for many, Daryn achieved a strong yield on his currants.

“I was a bit surprised my currants did as well as they did. I’m very happy with the win.”

He says he is driven to achieve strong yields year-after-year.

The best he’s achieved on his 6ha property is 62 tonnes.

“I thought ‘well we got 62, now I want 70 – what do I have to do to get to that?’.

“That’s what I do – never sit on your laurels, always think 'what can I do to get better'.”

Daryn attributes his success to his irrigation management and his fertigation program developed by his agronomist Marco Retamoza, from Better Farms.

“He does some things I don’t fully understand, but I don’t need to, and the tonnages coming out of my currants prove that it does work. You’ve got to feed them,” Daryn said, highlighting that all the growers in the recent DFA 10 Tonne Project used an agronomist to better their yields.

Daryn’s entire block is on drip irrigation after he converted his property with the help of government grants.

“I was very sceptical of drippers in the early days, I didn’t think they’d work. I do everything now through fertigation, everything is through the drippers. I don’t do any broadcast fertiliser at all.”

Despite the strong result with his currants this season, the rest of Daryn’s property didn’t fare so well.

While 1ha of currants produced 14.469 tonnes, his almost 3.5ha of sultanas produced just 17.9 tonnes combined. He encountered the same problem many growers did this past season – downy mildew.

“I had a winegrape grower next to me who lost everything so didn’t spray much, and then it came across the road,” Daryn explained.

Daryn, who also does contract harvesting, says sultanas seemed to be the worst hit by disease this season.

“When things flowered had a big bearing on whether downy got them. Currants and sultanas flower at a different time.

“For me, my currants are behind my house, so they’re protected

from the block across the road that had the downy. I’ve got a patch of sunmuscats right next to them, and they were protected as well.”

Daryn has made the decision to crop half of his sultanas for the last time in 2024 and will instead plant up more sunmuscats in their place.

“Sunmuscat appears to be a pretty bulletproof grape,” he said.

“Out of most crops I’ve looked at, it fared pretty well with the downy and when it rains they don’t go yuck like sultanas do.

“'I'm ordering my new vines now –they’ll go in September next year.

“I’ll probably minimally prune them (this year), leaving a lot more canes than I normally would just to try to get that last little bit out of them.”

Daryn has his own dehydrator set

MEET YOUR WINNERS

up and delivered the last of this season’s fruit at the end of June.

“I don’t get too stressed about it,” he said.

“Once it’s down to about 16 per cent, it’ll keep. Once it’s picked and in the shed, it’s safe.”

Looking ahead to the next season, Daryn is hoping for another strong harvest.

“From what I’ve seen in my vines, my canes are looking OK coming off last season,” he said.

“And for my currants, I can’t see why they won’t just keep doing what they’re doing.

“Some are happy to get 3 tonnes to the acre, but I want 4 or 5 now. You need to strive to get better, to improve again.”v

Ashley Johnstone won two category awards for his Selma Pete (9.547t/Ha) and Sunglo (8.978t/Ha).

Special mentions go to David Lyons (10.363t/Ha) and Ashley Johnstone (10.441t/Ha), who were close behind the Smart's Sunmuscat result.

Stephen and Malcolm Bennett took out the sultana (and other sultana types) category, with 6.659t/Ha.

Rowena and Warren Smart won the Sunmuscat category, with 10.809t/Ha.

Export season’s silver linings

The Australian table grape season concluded on a positive note despite an ominous early season.

Australian domestic and export sales for 2023 made a marked recovery on the previous two years, despite climatic events that affected producers in several growing regions and impacted optimal seasonal timing.

Table grape export volumes increased by 20,000 tonnes to more than 130,000 tonnes – worth more than $570 million – lower than the industry’s pre-Covid peak, but an improvement on the past two seasons and the third highest result in the past 10 years.

Australian Table Grape Association CEO Jeff Scott said producers had endured several tests this season, but overall finished positively.

“In November and December, weather events brought rain, hail and flooding to Sunraysia and Queensland,” Mr Scott said.

“This year required strategic pest and disease management. Growers were tested – even some of the

most seasoned growers experienced challenges that they had never seen. Positively, though, exports recovered from a couple of low years despite the initial challenges, and the year ended more positively than expected.”

Unfortunately, the 3–4-week harvest delay – brought on by slow maturation and colouring – created some market resistance.

“While the early season fruit was absorbed by the domestic market, many of the mid- and late-season varieties reached maturity at the same time and were harvested at once,” Jeff said. This overabundance of fruit led to a glut in some markets, however, others recovered well after two low years.

China exports lifted to around 40 per cent market share – from 28 per cent last year – Indonesia received more than 18 per cent of export product, and Vietnam held strong at 10 per cent.

Producers and exporters are hopeful for a more stable production year, with climatic conditions expected to return to normal.

ABARES predicted in its June 2023 Agricultural Outlook that

horticultural production and exports will rise, given higher production volumes and increased demand.

According to ABARES, drier climatic conditions similar to 2019-20 are expected to be alleviated by soil moisture stores from the wet 2022-23 season.

Jeff said there were also market improvements and protocol changes to key markets anticipated over the next few seasons.

“We’re working with the federal and overseas governments to allow irradiation for Thailand and the Philippines,” Jeff said.

“This would expand air freight capacity to these two countries and allow for smaller volumes of newer varieties in-market.

“We’re also still hopeful for full varietal access in Japan, and changes to the protocol in the United States, which would open up a lot of avenues for exports, but it’s unlikely these negotiations will be finalised before the 2023-24 season.”

TOP 10 COUNTRIES BY TONNAGE

Container count peaked the week of 20 March (week 12) with 698 containers (13,000 tonnes) on sea (compared with last year’s peak of 507 the week of 28 March (week 13).

Table grape export registration is now open for the 2023-24 season.

Table grape producers and exporters can now register their blocks and pack houses until Saturday 2 September.

There are no new changes to the export registration system. However, growers must remember:

- Do not wait until the last few days to complete it.

- The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will not accept late applications.

- Applicants must be the person in management and control of the property and cannot be a trust.

- Make sure your application names equates with your ABN registration.

- Ensure you enter a physical address and not a PO Box.

- Tick YES to orchard if you are registering your property and patches (failure to do this will prevent you mapping your patches).

- Tick YES to pack house if you are registering your pack house.

- When naming your patches only enter numeric numbers e.g. 01, 02, 03.

- Remember to place a trap in each registered patch.

- If you have your own pack house then tick NO to third party (only tick third party if you do not have your own pack house and are using someone else’s).

- If you are using a third-party pack house you will need to get the TG number of that pack house and place in the pack house name section.

- You need to list your crop monitors (can be more than one) but remember all crop monitors must have completed DAFF’s LearnHub pest monitoring course.

- Sign your application when completed and press SUBMIT button.

- Payment must be made at the time of completion.

- Preferred method of payment is PayPal. v

Scan the QR code to discover more, including a video guide to help troubleshoot common export registration errors.

Opportunities at our door

A note from our chair

It’s been another trying year for all.

Weather conditions in 2022 made it difficult for growers, as did rain, humidity, lack of chemicals and the inability to spray due to continuing wet events.

The forecast for the coming season is drier and hotter, and we all know this is the weather that made Australia one of the leading countries in the 90s for growing premium dried fruit.

At the time of writing this, the total tonnage is about 7500 tonnes – the lowest for the industry for many decades.

When Covid hit, Australian Premium Dried Fruits, Sunbeam and Dried Fruit Australia decided to put a hold on promotions in China and the UK, and decided 2023 would be the start of venturing into these markets.

As the industry grows, it is essential that we have markets to accommodate the growth in production.

The evidence is showing us that with the new areas planted of the new high yielding varieties, there will be a need to find new or regain markets that are willing to pay the premium prices that Australian fruit demands.

So far we have been to China and will be heading to Anuga, Germany, in October.

As you would be aware, DFA is applying for an increase in the Dried Grape Research and Development (R&D) Levy from $11 to $20/tonne. It has been more than 30 years since it was increased to $11. Read all about this on Page 22. New varieties give growers great opportunities to increase their bottom line. These varieties yield 10 tonnes/ha year after year. DFA has finished the 10 Tonne Project, which showed that it is possible to achieve high yields, with all growers in the project growing greater than 10 tonne to the hectare.

News from our CEO

Despite the challenging season of 2023, I firmly believe that the dried fruits industry has built a strong foundation for future growth.

I take the shortfall of the season crop intake as a temporary setback of our industry on the way to something great again. It may take a bit longer to achieve our set goals, but the trajectory of growth is upwards.

To ensure targets are being met, we need to get our priorities and initiatives right and it requires collaboration from the players in the industry.

Promising new varieties are on the way with welcome characteristics: early harvest, light fruit, big yield, rain resistant and downy tolerant.

Robust innovation programs are in place, with much improved and effective winter pruning units and harvesters in use. We must continuously improve farming techniques, including reviewing trellis systems and new latch studies.

All these existing and future projects need to be funded by our R&D Levy, which is the only levy matched by the Commonwealth Government, and is the reason to make structural change on our outdated levy setups. To achieve this, it requires full support from all of our industry stakeholders.

Our joint strategic marketing program with processors/marketers to ensure improvement on profitability and grower returns has been and will continue to be the KPI for the industry.

Maintaining market access and customer connectivity is the priority for this challenging season.

We need a sound readiness when our crop volume increases and quality improves, all with a great hope for our 2024 crop.

This is highlighted by a recent marketing trip to China and attending the SIAL exhibition by DFA, Australian Premium Dried Fruits and Sunbeam Foods. v

Thomas Cheung | CEO Mark King | Chair

Preparing for budburst

Have you noticed budburst is a little earlier than it used to be? Research published in the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research (Nov 30, 2022)1, has confirmed this.

The date of budburst in Sunraysia and the Riverland is statistically earlier.

Interestingly, the Swan Hill date hasn’t changed by a significantly different margin.

With this in mind, now is the time to start thinking about spring vineyard activities.

For example, your first fortnightly powdery protectant spray within two weeks of budburst, and have the vineyard floor ready for frost preventive management.

The spray diary will be available soon.

The only change for 2023/24 is the removal of chlormequat. The European union maximum residue limit (MRL) for chlormequat in dried grapes delivered into Europe was reduced significantly in 2018, down to 0.05 mg/kg.

Three years of trials by DFA have shown that the application of chlormequat at

Hello from the communications desk…

We’re pleased to announce in this edition that Dried Fruits Australia has entered into an Industry Communications Project with Hort Innovation. The project officially began in May and will run until May, 2027.

The Dried Grape Industry Communications Project encompasses all communications activities of DFA, including production of the fortnightly Currant News, quarterly Vine magazine and social media, including

label rates results in residues in dried vine fruit of between 3 to 7 times the EU limit. From an agronomic point of view, the trial also demonstrated no difference in berry set or yield of carinas from the use of chlormequat.

July has been a busy month. On 11 July, an enthusiastic crowd of 29 turned out to observe the mechanical winter pruning of vines on Shaw swingarm trellis.

Machines operated by Warren Lloyd and Ashley Johnstone were demonstrated. Participants also had the opportunity to assess Ashley’s vines that had been winter pruned mechanically last year. The vines have produced healthy canes for this year’s crop.

Another field walk was conducted on Warren and Rowena Smart’s block, looking at the latch mechanism for their Shaw swingarm system. The latch or “hook lock” has saved a significant amount of time in preventing arms from coming loose with a full crop load.

Dried vine fruit growers have also been developing their business skills in July.

Business Skills for the Future is a three-day workshop completed on three separate days.

Day one and two are completed as a group workshop, and day three is

Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

This project works alongside DFA field officer Stephen Kelly and the Dried Grape Production Innovation and Adoption Program 2021-2026 to communicate across a range of mediums dried grape research and development initiatives, events, best practices on-farm, productivity data, biosecurity information and sustainability practices.

If you do not receive our fortnightly Currant News newsletter, please email your details (name, company/ role in industry) to communications@ driedfruitsaustralia.org.au to

an optional one-on-one session to look at issues you have identified.

Three dried fruit growers and two block owners with vacant land have participated in the first workshop.

Participants said the workshop was a “real eye opener” and encouraged all growers to participate. The workshops were fully funded by Agriculture Victoria, and I will organise more workshops for growers who are interested.v

Stephen Kelly

Dried Fruits Australia field officer 03 5023 5174 projects@driedfruitsaustralia.org.au

C. Liles, D. C. Verdon-Kidd, "Spatial and Temporal Trends in the Timing of Budburst for Australian Wine Regions", Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, vol. 2022, Article ID 8121995, 17 pages, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8121995

be added to our mailing list.

If you have an industry story to share, please get in touch.v

Megan Frankel-Vaughan communications@ driedfruitsaustralia.org.au

Fortifying relationships

News from the CEO

There have been some welcome changes at Hort Innovation regarding the relationship between peak industry bodies and Hort Innovation.

Since the new CEO Brett Fifield came into the role some structural changes have been implemented, and outsourcing of some key functions, that have paved the way for a better working relationship between peak industry bodies –such as the Australian Table Grape Association – and Hort Innovation.

As we all should know, Hort Innovation receives all the levies you pay and is the custodian of how those levies are spent. The ATGA has to compete with other interested parties, on a transparent tender basis, for projects that are of significance and benefit to levy payers.

Projects that the ATGA has been successfully delivered in the past and present are the communications project, trade and market access project and the extension of technologies and best practice management project. We look into the levy investment process a bit more on pages 18-19.

One change Hort Innovation have implemented was the “Reset

and Refresh” Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU provides clarity regarding the commitment of Hort Innovation and the ATGA and the collaboration process undertaken to refresh the advice mechanism.

The advice mechanism includes the panels, or subpanels, which exist to inform the investment of industry levies and Australian Government contributions. In the case of the table grape industry, we have a Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP) and a subcommittee for marketing (which workshops with Hort Innovation annually on marketing levy spend both internationally and domestic and then puts forward plans to the main SIAP), but other industries have different advice mechanisms depending on industry need.

As part of this mutual commitment, Hort Innovation and ATGA will act in accordance with the spirit and intent of this MoU, even though neither party intends that it be legally binding.

What the MoU provides is clarity regarding the design and implementation plan of the refreshed advice mechanism, and details required actions by each party. In the agreement, we acknowledge that we both have distinct and complementary roles in delivering RD&E for

Australia’s table grape industry and we want to maintain a positive and cooperative working relationship for the benefit of the industry.

The purpose of Hort Innovation is to fund and provide best practice project management to deliver on industry and government R&D priorities and for Australian horticulture. It will work in partnership with industry bodies to deliver results to levy payers and taxpayers in a timely fashion.

The ATGA’s role, with regard to investment of levy funds and contributions, is to engage with levy payers, including other industry bodies and relevant grower groups, to identify RD&E priorities, and work collaboratively with Hort Innovation and the Commonwealth Government.

ATGA, Hort Innovation and the government need to work in collaboration to increase productivity, farm-gate profitability and global competitiveness.

The ATGA has agreed to sign this MoU and we look forward to having a strong working relationship under the new “Reset and Refresh” approach of Hort Innovation. v

Jeff Scott | CEO

A season with a reason

While winter has suspended the vines, it’s left plenty of opportunity for the Australian Table Grape Association extension team to continue work on trials, technology and off-season events.

Trials & analysis

The team has conducted the second round of sampling and analyses of roots and dormant bud sticks, as part of the vine health component of the project.

A new round of root samples was taken and prepared for analysis in June, to understand the relationship, if any, between carbohydrate status and restricted spring growth (RSG). Results from the first round had been inconclusive.

The most recent sampling concentrates on the vascular system and its connection with carbohydrate transport within the vine.

The team also collected a new set of dormant bud wood samples, which were delivered to SARDI/ PIRSA in July for analysis, to determine if there is a connection between mite presence and RSG. Data collected from the mealybug trial site was analysed during winter. Given the 2022-23 season was a low-pressure year for mealybug, the results were hardly surprising, with most systemic chemical combinations showing similar results.

Technology

As the ATGA continues to support producers’ ag-tech adoption, participating producers now have their GoPros, as part of the AgriFutures progression project, which will collect data using innovative AI technology and estimate yield at

various stages of production. During winter, the team coordinated and attended the on-boarding process between participating growers and service provider BitwiseAg, which will allow us to support growers as they capture the season ahead. We will catch up regularly with BitwiseAg and participants over the coming months to oversee a smooth roll-out of the technology. Keep an eye out on our socials for updates.

Networking & events

Swan Valley producers welcomed ATGA team members and Agriculture Victoria irrigation specialist Jeremy Giddings for two sessions on irrigation management in June.

Based on previous feedback from Western Australia, Swan Valley producers will be facing a reduction in water allocations in 2028, so now is an opportune time to optimise irrigation performance.

The sessions covered soil water principles, irrigation systems, system monitoring, scheduling tools and water savings. Attending producers and service providers especially enjoyed the practical sessions in soil pits and irrigation performance assessment (AKA getting wet) as well as the barbecue, sponsored by WildEye.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development was also on hand to promote horticulture water use efficiency grants under the Gnangara scheme. Thanks to Graeme Roscic and Tony and Kyle Lovretta, who hosted the two sessions.

In Sunraysia, the ATGA team –together with the extension teams of Dried Fruits Australia, Murray Valley Wine Growers and Agriculture Victoria – have been collaborating to address shared industry concerns and topics of interest or importance.

As a result, the team established the Mallee Horticulture Technical Network (MHTN), which had its inaugural meetup in early June. The concept builds on the ATGA's existing agronomic group, bringing industry and agricultural service providers together at key points in the season to connect and discuss industry trends, issues and needs.

This team also supported and assisted the facilitation of viticulture & apiary business workshops in Mildura and Robinvale, hosted by Agriculture Victoria. ATGA spoke to presenter Gavin Beever to get some insight into the questions businesses can ask to understand if they’re “fit and healthy”, see pages 30-32.v

Industry looking ahead

NEW VARIETIES AND TRELLIS SYSTEMS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

It was one of the most challenging dried grape seasons in recent times, and one of the lowest crop yields in years.

The 2023 season – plagued by wet weather and downy mildew – yielded about 7500 tonnes, about half of the forecast for the season.

The Dried Fruits Australia Innovation Committee met post-harvest to discuss the season, its challenges and ways the industry can recover and prosper.

Led by grower Ashley Johnstone, the Innovation Committee last year took on a major project to have a specific dried grape harvester

designed and developed to help relieve a bottleneck at harvest time.

This year, the group is looking to address both long and short-term issues.

Following the Innovation Committee’s meeting in June, Ashley said the group had this year decided on several key areas to focus on: varieties, trellis systems and dehydration.

Varieties

Developing high-yielding earlier varieties is a key priority for the industry.

The hope is to have a variety that will mature earlier and produce a high yield, providing a higher probability of lighter coloured fruit

and achieve drier fruit on the trellis.

“One thing that has happened in the past two seasons is we've seen a varietal shift from sultana being the predominant variety in the industry to sunmuscat,” Ashley said.

“There’s been all this good work done with development, however it is a later variety, so we’re seeing potential problems with more moist fruit having to be harvested from the trellis just simply because we’ve got more late varieties in the ground.”

An event will be held for those who hold the genetic material –SNFL Group (Sheehan Genetics), Sun World and CSIRO – to share information with growers and

interested industry parties about the varieties in development.

Ashley said several potential varieties for the dried grape industry had been developed.

“DFA has signed a testing agreement with Sheehan to test another four varieties, so we’re in that testing variety process,” he said.

“Rather than having a testing license agreement with an individual, you have it with DFA, then you can spread that license across a number of growers. And DFA absorbs that cost, not the grower.”

Ashley said it was important to continually work on new varieties because there were multiple steps and several years before the new varieties would be in production.

Trellis design

The Innovation Committee has prioritised producing a guideline on what trellis systems are available in dried grape production.

Ashley said while Shaw swingarm trellis had been regarded as the best practice trellis for the industry, there were other dried grape trellis systems in use.

“Swingarm does have issues, particularly with larger corporate growers who don’t really like it because of the tipping process,” he said.

“There are existing growers who are achieving good yield on alternate trellis systems and it's worthwhile

investigating these systems to see if they’re suitable for anyone else.”

The project will develop a guide, with imagery or sketches, to outline a description of each trellis system and the steps in its operation.

“They’re all pruned differently and they’ve got different harvest requirements,” Ashley said, highlighting the requirement of swingarm trellis to use a specific type of harvester that’s not as readily available as winegrape harvesters.

“If you’re a winegrape grower who’s feeling the pinch in the winegrape industry and you want to look into dried fruit and you’ve got harvesting equipment you might look at some of these alternative systems that might work quite adequately for your situation,” Ashley said.

“It’s really to give people as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision.”

He said the guides would be aimed at those looking to invest, or re-invest, in the industry and to give them a clear idea of what options they had.

He hoped the guide would also include a study into the viability and costs associated with retrofitting or changing an existing system from one to another.

Dehydration

The industry will explore ways to improve the dehydration process in dried grape production.

The current method of gas dehydration has been in use in the industry –without update – for some time.

The committee is keen to find ways of dehydrating fruit in a more efficient and cost-effective way.

Ashley said another issue was that while some growers dehydrated their own fruit, others didn’t, leaving the job of dehydration to processors, which could create added pressure as yields increase, particularly from larger scale growers.

Events

Supported by the Dried Grape Production Innovation and Adoption Program, events continue to share information to advance the industry.

A recent field walk at Ashley Johnstone’s block highlighted two different mechanical pruning machines.

It was particularly helpful to see the results of last year’s pruning using the mechanical pruners, and to see the vines had produced good canes.

Another event will highlight varieties that are on the way for the industry, presenting opportunities for growers to produce high yields earlier in the season.

Ashley said the Innovation Committee was focused on finding ways to minimise costs and increase yields.

“And you can’t do that if you stand still – you’ve got to continue to look forward.”v

Delivering results

UNDERSTANDING THE TABLE GRAPE LEVY SYSTEM

What happens once the levies are collected?

Table grape levies are collected annually and then managed by Hort Innovation.

In the early 2000s, the table grape industry was in its infancy, but producers could see the industry's untapped potential for domestic and export growth.

Regional grower associations and individual growers were calling for a national peak industry body to promote R&D opportunities and marketing activities for producers. This required the establishment of a grower levy.

On 1 October 2002, that call was heard – the peak industry body, the Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA), was constituted and the table grape levy was introduced.

What is the table grape levy system?

The levy system is a partnership between government and industry. It allows industries to fund priorities for identified purposes that could not be achieved by many primary producers on their own.

What is the table grape levy?

The table grape levy was originally set at 1c per kilogram of grapes produced, with 0.5c directed toward R&D and 0.5c funnelled into a marketing levy. The levy amount has not changed since its inception in 2001.

The levy is paid by growers who produce and sell table grapes in Australia. The charge is set at the first point of sale. Grower levies are then matched dollar for dollar by a Federal Government contribution, which effectively doubles the R&D budget, but not the marketing levy.

Hort Innovation invests those levies into the Table Grape Fund, through projects that benefit industry – table grape levies do not come directly to the ATGA. The ATGA has to compete with other interested parties on a transparent tender basis, for projects that are of significance and benefit to levy payers.

Hort Innovation assesses the responses to the tender, and then the most suitable delivery partner for each project is chosen.

How are the funds invested?

All investments through the Table Grape Fund are made with advice from the industry’s Strategic Investment Advisory Panel (SIAP) – a skillsbased panel made of panellists from across the table grape industry.

Investments specific to the Table Grape Fund are guided by the industry’s Strategic Investment Plan (SIP), a five-year roadmap for industry, and the Annual Investment Plan (AIP). The SIP provides an overarching roadmap for industry to follow, and the AIP details how levy dollars will be spent each year to achieve industry goals.

You can view both of these documents on the Hort Innovation and ATGA websites.

Do the levies benefit me?

In March 2023, ABARES published a report, Agricultural research and development investment in Australia, highlighting that R&D continues to yield high returns, with estimates indicating that each additional $1 of investment could generate a return for farmers of $7.82.

Projects such as the Extension of technologies and best management

practices to the Australian table grape industry, Table grapes market access and trade development, and the Australian table grape industry communications program are some examples of projects delivered by the ATGA. Other R&D projects table grape levies are invested into include National Fruit Fly Council –phase 4, and Consumer behavioural data program (MT21004), which includes seasonal updates on table grape consumer behaviour on the Harvest to Home website.

Projects like Market access and trade development have supported protocol negotiations between industry, the Federal Government and overseas governments, ensured table grapes have a seat at the table for key trade shows and trade missions, and provided important market intelligence, information on export requirements and delivered export statistics.

The Extension of technologies and best management practices project led to the establishment of the first national table grape extension service, and the recruitment of the ATGA extension team, which aims to improve producer capability and capacity and enhance production efficiency.

The industry communications program helps keep growers and industry partners connected and informed, and without it there would be no Vine magazine, Pick of the Bunch newsletter, ATGA website, social media, video content or other collateral.

Can growers submit their own ideas for investment?

Yes. Ideas can be submitted through Hort Innovation’s online Concept Proposal Form.

Growers are also encouraged to reach out to the SIAP panellists for

On the eve of the table grape levy system’s 21st birthday, we thought we’d take a look at why the levy system matters and what it delivers for growers.

the industry, or they can contact Hort Innovation employees directly as well. Once an idea is submitted, it will be reviewed to determine whether it aligns to the industry's strategic investment

priorities. At this time, the grower or producer will receive a copy of action. Ideas will be assessed annually based on industry benefit and impact as part of the consultation process.v

Global prune supplies in balance with demand

News from the INC 40th

World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress indicates a balance in the global supply and demand of prunes.

The congress took place in London, between 22 and 24 May, with nearly 1300 attendees from 65 countries sharing the latest news on dried fruits and nut production, market development and health research.

A prune workshop was led by Pacific Nut Company commercial manager José Tomás Quezada from Chile and included different players from the global industry of prunes, with producers from California and France, as well as large international buyers. They concluded that surplus stocks that had carried over from year to year, and dragged global prices

down, had now been cleared.

California Prune Board executive director Donn Zea reported that while production will be higher this year, the global prune industry is in relative balance between supply and demand.

“The industry realities are impacted by a return to typical crop years in South America and France after short crops last year,” added Mr Zea.

Mr Quezada said the world had a consumption capacity for prunes of about 200,000-220,000 tonnes, a distribution that varied from year to year between the markets, but the total in the end remained the same.

“And on the world supply side, we have a productive potential of around the same number, which gives us the security of being in a healthy and balanced industry,” he said.

Chile

With a focus on exports, the Chilean prune industry is poised to take advantage of the improved prices. Chileprunes has worked hard to establish new markets and consolidate its existing international markets.

Mr Quezada highlights the stability that shipments to China have achieved, a country that already led the ranking of exports in 2022 and has increased its imports from Chile 20 times in the past 10 years.

He said there was a striking difference between the export period January – May 2022 and that same period in 2023. In 2022, China and Germany each imported less than 1000 tonnes, with amounts that fluctuated around US$3 million. Only in the second half of

last year would their Chilean prune imports “explode”.

“In the first five months of 2023, Germany and China became the two main destinations for Chilean prunes, leading the first in foreign exchange returns (FOB dollars), while the Asian giant is the first in export volumes,” Mr Quezada said.

“Destinations to China reached 3623t, equivalent to US$11.7 million, while shipments to Germany of dehydrated plums were 2808t, equivalent to US$12.8 million.”

The Pacific Nut executive also makes a separate mention of Russia, which this year is more open and with great interest in receiving the Chilean product.

More recently, Chileprunes President Pedro Pablo Díaz has been part of the official tour to India, a country of great interest due to its huge potential as the most populous market in the world.

Organised by ProChile and Sofofa, the objective was to promote national exports, seek formulas to increase trade with Chile and discuss opportunities to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) between both countries. Meetings were held with authorities from the Ministry of Commerce, Food Safety and Standards, the Indian Chamber of Commerce, and with importers and retail representatives.

California

Meanwhile, in California, favourable weather during prune bloom meant prune producers observed good sizes on fruit set.

While production looks promising, supplies are expected to be tight again this season with an estimated 75,000 short tons (68,000 MT) in volume for the 2023 prune crop year according to the Executive Committee of the California Prune Board.

Bigger sizes for California prunes are in line with the premium quality of the crop.

While still in the first half of the growing season, the prune trees in California appear happy from the wet weather with natural fruit drop, resulting in what growers anticipate will be a range of optimum sizes.

“We’ve built solid demand and California prune handlers maintain careful inventory management, putting our industry in a pretty steady position,” says Mr Zea.

“The cost of business and continued tight supply is likely to keep pressure on pricing for the foreseeable future.”

Australian perspective

Australian Prune Industry Association chairman Tony Toscan welcomed the news from the international congress.

“The latest international prune market information indicating that prune supply and demand are finely balanced is welcome news,” he said.

“It is important that growers continue to invest in the Australian prune industry to maintain a critical mass which enables the industry to meet our processors’ requirements.

“At present there is insufficient local product to meet demand and more expensive Chilean prunes are being substituted for the 1 kilogram bags. “Ultimately price signals will drive this as increases in production and dehydration costs have seen grower margins eroded.”v

This article was compiled using information in press releases from California Prunes (Excellent sizes expected for California Prunes) and the Chile Prunes Association (This 2023, a balance is being seen between the global supply and demand of prunes; Chileprunes tours India with ProChile and Sofofa).

Levy questions answered

GROWERS GET INFORMED ON R&D VOTE

Dried grape growers will this year vote on a proposal to increase the industry’s research and development levy.

Here, we take a look at what this means for growers on an individual basis, as well as what an increase in the levy could mean for the future of the industry.

What is the Dried Grape Research and Development Levy? Who pays it and how is it collected?

The Dried Grape Research and Development Levy (R&D Levy) is the core mechanism for advancing the dried grape industry. The levy is a compulsory payment made by all dried grape growers, based on tonnages. Levy funds are entrusted to Hort Innovation, which uses industry-specific investment plans and guidance from DFA to determine the projects the levy will fund. The R&D Levy is the only levy matched by the Federal Government.

What is the current levy and what is the proposed change?

The R&D Levy is currently $11/tonne. At the 2022 Annual General Meeting of DFA, growers proposed and voted on a change to the R&D Levy to $20/tonne.

When will the new proposed levy come into effect?

If supported it’s anticipated the new levy rate will come into effect in the 2025 season.

Why does the levy need to change?

Research is a critical component for productivity gains.

The R&D Levy has not been increased for more than 30 years and has not kept pace with increasing costs and the overall contributions required for funding quality research and development, and is lagging behind many other similar industries. It’s been a tough couple of years for dried grape growers, what

does the proposed levy increase mean in real terms for growers?

The levy is based on growers’ tonnages and, when looking at the average returns, a $20/tonne levy represents an actual payment of less than 1 per cent of earnings. The R&D Levy presents an opportunity to undertake critical research into ways that growers can thrive, particularly in challenging conditions. How will the levy be used?

The dried grape industry is focussed on continuous improvement to deliver on domestic and export market demands and improvements in profitability and grower returns. For this to occur, the industry is reliant on research and development for new leading edge technologies, equipment and vine improvements to maintain and increase quality and capacity of production. Benchmarking has shown that it’s possible to consistently produce 10 tonnes of dried grapes to the hectare. R&D on production could increase this figure even further.

Through the DFA’s Innovation Committee and from consultation across the industry, future dried grape projects and activities that this funding will be used for include:

- Increasing productivity and management through development and monitoring of new dried grape varieties and trials of new

technologies combined with innovative trellis designs

- Demonstration sites leading to overall adoption of sustainability practices to meet export market expectations

- Design and development of automated management and monitoring systems that enhance yield, quality and productivity

- Uptake and adoption of new technologies and innovation through extensions and communications

- Building a comprehensive dried grape industry database to ensure more accurate support and demand forecasts to ensure continuity of market supply

What happens next?

DFA will continue consultation and share information about the proposed R&D Levy increase before voting takes place in October this year. It’s important that growers take the time to vote to help shape the future of the Australian dried grape industry.v

Do you have any comments or questions about the proposed increase to the R&D Levy?

Email ceo@driedfruitsaustralia.org. au or call the office on (03) 5023 5174.

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Promising long-term outlook

FOR AUSTRALIAN TABLE AND DRIED GRAPE INDUSTRIES

The Australian table grape and dried grape industries – among other fruit, vegetable, nut, turf and nursery industries – and regions are set to surge around 30 per cent, according to a recent Hort Innovation report.

Commissioned by Hort Innovation, the Contribution of Australian horticulture industry report recognises 25 horticultural growing regions nationally, revealing the current and projected economic contributions of the horticulture sector (including production and processing) state and national level.

Where do these figures come from?

The Centre for International Economics used a “general equilibrium” modelling framework to allow the accurate measurement of the flow effects of an industry’s activities.

The modelling analysis commissioned by Hort Innovation set out to:

- Estimate the current and future contributions of the horticulture industry to the national, state and regional economies;

- Outline industry projections to 2030 using three scenarios — termed High, Central and Low — each with different assumptions about future growth, acknowledging the uncertainties associated with the industry’s outlook and the wider economy; and

- Provide detailed case studies in four key regions.

Horticulture set for surge

The value of the horticulture industry is projected to increase by 22.5% from 2020 reaching $21.8 billion in 2030.

Horticultural industry employment is projected to increase by almost 10% from 2020, reaching 69,697 persons by 2030.

Horticulture supports regional communities

For every dollar of horticultural production income, an additional 27.6 cents is indirectly generated by the rest of the economy.

The added value represents the income created through labour, land (natural resources), and capital; that is, new value generated during production (as opposed to intermediate inputs from other industries). The horticulture industry contributes $12.96 billion to the national economy, including $10.16 billion directly and $2.80 billion indirectly.

Data

It is important to note that as the report uses Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, including from the Census, it does not capture the full variation of employment over the year as seasonal workers are used in peak harvest times.

The horticulture industry contributes $12.96 billion to the national economy, including $10.16 billion directly and $2.80 billion indirectly.

The value of the horticulture industry is projected to increase by 22.5% from 2020 reaching $21.8 billion in 2030.

Projected industry growth rates

Mildura region leads

The highest contribution to gross value of production comes from the North West (Mildura) in Victoria, with a GVP of $1.7 billion, and a value added of $1.1 billion, representing 10.1% of GRP.

This region produces 78% of the nation’s table grapes, 97% of Australia’s dried grapes and 62% of its almonds.

The industry employed 6932 full-time equivalent (FTE), which represents 9.3% of the regional workforce. Another 907 workers were indirectly employed.

Table grapes and almonds are also the top two horticulture crops in the region, accounting for 29% and 27% of the horticulture industry’s GVP, respectively.

The industry directly contributed $1.1 billion to the GRP and induced another $201 million in GRP in 2020-21.

The horticulture industry in this region is projected to grow by 32% to $2.2 billion by 2029-30 under the Central scenario, with a range from

$1.7 billion under the Low scenario to $3.3 billion under the High scenario.

Table grapes (with an export share of 60%) and almonds (with an export share of 75%) are projected to have higher growth than the industry’s average, highlighting the importance of export markets to future growth.

Total (direct and indirect) contribution of the industry to GRP is projected to be $1.3-2.6 billion by 2029-30, while total employment contribution is projected to be 7757 to 13,525 FTEs. v

Horticultural industry employment is projected to increase by almost 10% from 2020, reaching 69,697 persons by 2030.

Scan the QR code to read the full report.

Industry’s new online hub

Dried Fruits Australia has a new website, which will serve as a key point of information for dried grape growers and stakeholders.

The website has a new look, and includes easy-to-access resources for producers, including best practice guides, and links to videos and to other helpful external sites and documents.

The site will be updated regularly with news, including links to the fortnightly Currant News e-newsletter and quarterly Vine magazine, as well as upcoming events.

The revamped website is user friendly and importantly includes a functioning library archive.

Dried Fruits Australia CEO Thomas

Cheung said the website had needed an update for some time, and he was pleased to see it function in a way that would serve members, consumers and the broader industry.

“Unfortunately this library feature had not been functioning for some time due to a technical issue that has been ongoing for several years,” he said.

“Thankfully, with a lot of work behind the scenes, we’ve been able to retrieve the information and relaunch this feature for our members on the site.”

The library is an important archive of historical research and information, as well as a space for the organisation’s historic documents and news. Work to upload all of the data is ongoing.

Dried Fruits Australia, formerly known as the Australian Dried Fruits Association, has represented

the interests of dried grape growers for almost 120 years.

“Dried Fruits Australia and the dried grape industry is in a unique position, with a history spanning more than 100 years and many years of research and news that needed to be categorised for the online library,” Thomas said.

This will be an ongoing and growing library of resources and historic information for members to access when and where they want.

Current members should have already received an email to login and activate their account on the new website.

Any grower wishing to become a DFA member – and therefore gain access to the member only section of the site – is able to do so by clicking “Join Us” and following the prompts v

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A tradition of quality

COS

DICHIERA TAKES OUT TOP AWARD HONOUR

Cos and Lina Dichiera took out the top prize in the 2023 Dried Fruits Australia Quality Awards. Cos, second from left, at 14 years old with family on their vineyard in Italy.

Cos Dichiera prides himself on producing top quality dried grapes. His father would say “if you’re going to do something, do it properly”.

It’s that work ethic that saw him awarded the top honour in the 2023 Dried Fruits Australia Quality Awards.

Presented at Mildura Field Days, Cos’s sunmuscats took out the overall prize – the third time he’s won the award.

He previously took out awards in 2013 and 2014 for best sultanas and best overall grapes and said he was "chuffed to be recognised''.

Cos was born into the dried grape industry as one of 10 children to his Italian migrant parents.

His father Larry established the family’s Merbein block in the early 1950s.

It was here that Cos had his “apprenticeship” in the industry.

“It was a big family – there were 10 kids. Seven were born back in the old country and the last three were born here. I’m the ninth,” he said.

“We had our own cricket team, so we also had our own labourforce.

“As a kid, at this time of year, there was no such thing as the contractors coming in. I had my allocated rows and that was our contribution to survival.”

In a season characterised by challenging weather and disease pressure, which greatly impacted tonnages, Cos was proud to have still produced good quality fruit in 2023.

His property’s total yield was down by about half its usual crop, but he said he made the most of what was harvested.

Cos rack dries his fruit to maximise the potential of light, high-quality fruit, and dries on the trellis when there isn’t enough rack room.

“To get good quality fruit you need that nice dappled sunlight that can help the bunch and berries form properly,” he said.

“I was happy with what we harvested. My quality has been pretty good.

“The only reason I’ve survived is that there’s no shortcuts where quality is concerned.”

Cos is passionate about dried fruit as both a lifestyle and product.

He said the block had been a “wonderful place” to raise his two children with his wife Lina and hopes fruit prices will improve to encourage the next generation of growers to continue on in the industry, or for new growers to enter.

“It’d be lovely to have young people encouraged because they are really good at adapting to technologies,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful product. We’ve been here a long time and it’s a primary production that can give you time to market it because it’s a dried product. Quality produce sells itself.”

Cos attended FOODEX Japan in 2016, and strongly encouraged other producers to attend the annual exhibition.

“It was a wonderful eye-opener and every producer should try to get there so they can get excited about the potential for dried fruit,” he said.

“You’ve got to put yourself in the customer’s shoes. Everyone wants to buy for the cheapest they can, but if you

can show them what they’re buying is beyond the norm, half the job is done.”

Cos is hopeful the coming year will be a brighter one than the last two for the industry.

“Hopefully the industry can rise a bit,” he said.

“I think there are a lot of challenges now, but we need to be positive.

“I love this industry and I’m glad to be recognised for doing it right.” v

DFA Quality Award winners:

Sultana: Lucet Giselle Pty Ltd

Sunglo: Stephen and Jinky Nicholls, Nicholls Mildura Trust, Coomealla

Raisins: Stephen and Jinky Nicholls, Nicholls Mildura Trust, Coomealla

Carina: Andrew and Roslyn Hudson

Sunmuscat: Cos and Lina Dichiera, Merbein

Best Fruit of the Season: Cos and Lina Dichiera, Merbein

Middle: Cos and Lina Dichiera took out the top prize in the 2023 Dried Fruits Australia Quality Awards. Below: Cos, second from left, at 14 years old with family on their vineyard in Italy.

Strengthening farm businesses

How well do you and your partners know your farm and your business, and its fitness for the future?

It’s a key question to ask – particularly at the end of a financial year – and one that Agriculture Victoria has been posing to horticulture businesses as part of its Farm Business Resilience outreach.

Agriculture Victoria recently hosted a "Business Skills for the Future" workshop, supported by the Australian Table Grape Association, Dried Fruits Australia and other horticulture industries.

Where is your business on the business lifecycle?

The growth of a business can be likened to the growth of a plant. Often the plant starts off slowly until it has enough reserves to take off. It could be warmer weather, irrigation or rainfall, or the supply of nutrients that really makes it grow. Similarly, in a business lifecycle, we can position our businesses on the growth curve.

We spoke to host Gavin Beever from Cumbre Consultants about the key take-aways for table grape and dried grape businesses, including the importance of understanding “the stories behind your figures”. The first step to understanding whether your farm business is fit and healthy – and therefore able to achieve goals, be profitable and succeed long term – is to ask the right questions at the right time. So, we asked Gavin to point growers in the right direction.

QUESTIONING BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

Here are a series of questions to help consider a farm’s performance.

NET WORTH OR EQUITY

IF NET WORTH OR EQUITY IS

HIGH, ASK:

Return on investment

- Are you getting enough return?

- Do you have a good disposable income per household?

Diversification

- What is the balance between farm and non-farm assets?

Where we are has implications for some of the options that we have available and the sort of plans that must be made to be successful into the future.

We could be new to the business (emerging). We could be in a growth phase or we could be aiming to redesign our business; at each stage we need to have a good plan in place. We also need a good plan if we are to retire or relocate, which are two of the choices when our business is in stage four.

- Do you have sufficient business buffers to protect against downturns: Markets, climate, costs, labour, health, disasters, etc? Diversification can be a buffer by providing a range of profit centres.

Buffers

- Can you cover the current season and next season operating costs?

- Do you have reserves that can cover finance costs, living expenses, health and education expenses?

- Examples of buffers include: Cash on hand, stored products, inputs on hand, equity that can be drawn down, insurances, assets that can be sold without impacting productivity and input costs that can be reduced.

Business cycle or lifecycle

- Is the next generation about to start farming?

- Can you afford it?

- Is there enough to fund your retirement?

Lifestyle

- Are you happy with the lifestyle that high assets should allow?

IF NET WORTH IS LOW, ASK:

Reasons

- Are you an emerging business, just starting out?

- Are too many families reliant on the farm business?

- Have you been making losses and eroding assets?

- Did you not have assets to erode?

To continue operating you would require…

- Strength in productivity and cashflow (i.e. high production levels, good cost control) and/ or non-farm income to survive.

- Low living costs. What is happening to asset growth?

- Is it growing, staying still or declining?

- If the farm business is to survive, (i.e. for the next generation to continue) do you need to generate ‘another farm’ for each household added?

- If staying still – ultimately the business will decline/finish.

- If growing – is it growing enough to accommodate the next generation?

DISPOSABLE INCOME PER HOUSEHOLD (FARM PROFIT PLUS NON-FARM INCOME)

IF DISPOSABLE INCOME IS HIGH, ASK:

Use of money

- What happens to the money?

- Are any drawings squandered?

- Is there asset creation for:

- Retirement?

- Next generation?

- Business growth?

- Business buffers?

Environment

- Are there environmental sustainability issues, such as run-down of nutrients, vines, landcare issues?

People

- Are there people issues?

- Are individuals satisfied?

- Are family goals being achieved?

Potential

- Can you do better? Do you want to?

Lifecycle

- Have you got education or retirement costs looming, are more families going to be dependent on the farm? Are you preparing?

GENERATING PROFIT AND WEALTH

What drives our farm business profit and how can we best convert profit to wealth?

The two key components of generating wealth are to increase annual profit and to increase your net worth (by investing profit and by capital gain).

By increasing farm or non-farm assets, you have capital gain working for the business, as well as the business income. This is often the

key for successful farm businesses. Long-term wealth is generated from both profit and capital gain. Increasing annual profit can be a way to generate wealth (by allocating a percentage to growing your net worth).

Increasing annual profit can be done in a variety of ways. It could be achieved by simply improving production or being more efficient. It could also require a change in the nature of the business or investment in other industries or enterprises.

IF DISPOSABLE INCOME IS LOW, ASK:

Could be fine

- Is there capital gain – is low profit offset by capital growth of the business?

- Is there deliberate running down of assets – e.g. late in a business lifecycle?

- Are you just starting off and putting it all into development?

- Do you have a simple lifestyle and very good skills in making money go far?

However, if you are not happy

- Are you under-resourced, i.e. just not enough assets?

- Look at individual strengths/ weaknesses. Can you do something?

- Should you cut your losses?

- Are there too many families involved in the business?

- Are their education or retirement costs about to make it worse?

- Is there another generation, which may bring new skills or new business opportunities?

- Are there non-farm income opportunities?

Owning land in agriculture means that, on average, it increases in value at 4-6 per cent per annum –far greater in the last two years. Increases in land value (capital gain) are key to increasing farm wealth, independent of productivity. The value of water rights can also influence the wealth of irrigated properties – also independent of farm performance.

Assets and liabilities (the balance sheet)

The farm balance sheet is one of three financial statements that provide critical information about a farm business.

Completing an annual balance sheet, profit and loss (income) statement and statement of cash flows, is critical to helping farm businesses understand their financial health. It is a whole farm approach to financial assessment and planning.

The balance sheet provides a picture of your farms financial position on a specified date.

Profit and loss statement

A profit and loss statement shows where the dollars come from, where they go to and what profit remains. Farm profit then has any non-farm income added to it to give the disposable income that is available to the farm family.

Disposable income is what pays for living expenses, capital repayments, developments and tax. Disposable income is farm profit with any additional non-farm income included. Disposable income is really the part of the business which “drives” decisions. It is similar to taxable income, but not quite the same as business structures and taxation structures make taxable income different from disposable income. Essentially disposable income is what a farm family has to spend.

Remember that disposable income (which includes non-farm income) requirements vary according to our age, number of dependants, etc. However, disposable income is a bottom-line indicator. Insufficient disposable income means that you will have to make increasingly severe compromises. Both farm income and disposable income should be considered on a “per household” basis. This is done to allow for the fact that different businesses may be supporting different numbers of households.

Key cost factors

Outside of finance costs, labour costs and machinery costs are two key areas farm businesses should explore to question whether they are getting effective returns from them.

Machinery costs

Machinery Investment: Machinery investment (dollars invested) / gross farm income, gives a guide to the scale of the investment and an ability to ask questions on the level of investment. A typical result is 1.2 to 0.8, outside of that range, the business should question the return they are getting from their level of investment in machinery and whether the machines can be better leveraged.

Depreciation

Depreciation is usually calculated by estimating the value of the machine at the end of its use in the business and allocating this reduction in value on an annual basis over its years in the business.

Another approach is to use a percentage annual reduction in value (for example, 7-12 per cent, depending on the machine).

For most depreciating assets, you can use the Australian Tax Office’s (ATO) determinations of effective life, published in taxation rulings (which are updated annually). For some types of transport and agricultural machinery the ATO’s determination of effective life is capped by statute (a legal limit).

Repairs and maintenance

Repair costs are often a trade-off to owning newer machines, but repairs as a percentage of farm income are not necessarily related to the age of machinery. Expenditure on repairs and maintenance is mainly influenced by operators’ skills in owning and operating equipment.

A guide is:

Low <4% of gross farm income

Medium 4 – 8% of gross farm income

High >8% of gross farm income

Transport costs

Transport costs will vary depending on the distance to travel. Many businesses will not pay for transport for produce and will provide their own. Owner-supplied transport shows up as higher fuel, repairs and maintenance and depreciation.

A guide for paid transport costs is:

Low <1% of gross farm income

Medium 1 – 4% of gross farm income

High >4% of gross farm income

Farm Business Checklists

Agriculture Victoria have developed a series of Farm Business Checklists to help farmers get a good sense about where they and their business are at – the now

This is an important step in the planning process, once you know your “now” you can follow it by identifying your “where and how” and, preferably, get it down on paper.

Each section of the checklist is designed to prompt your thinking about different aspects of your business. It’s a “selfassessment” and there are no right or wrong answers. Your job is to identify areas that might be a priority for you by ticking the box that best describes where you are at for each question. v

More information can be found here: agriculture.vic.gov.au/ farm-management/managingfor-and-during-drought/farmbusiness-resilience-program

The horticulture business checklist can be found here: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/ assets/pdf_file/0004/953293/ Horticulture-BusinessFitness-Checklist.pdf

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Providing

Horticulture focus for Vic regulator

In Victoria, businesses supplying workers to pick grapes and other fruit and vegetables must hold a labour hire licence and adhere to its conditions, which helps protect workers, grape growers and the wider horticulture sector.

In recent months, Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority has initiated multiple prosecutions against labour hire companies operating in horticulture, as well as cancelling and refusing a number of labour hire licences, as part of an expanded compliance and enforcement program.

“Workers picking fruit and vegetables are among Victoria’s most vulnerable, so it’s critical that labour hire companies

are appropriately scrutinised, licensed, and meet their legal obligations,” says Labour Hire Licensing commissioner Steve Dargavel.

Under the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Vic):

- businesses must be licensed to supply labour hire workers, including for horticulture activities such as picking, packing, sorting and pruning

- “host” businesses (grape growers) – who engage workers through a labour hire provider – must only use licensed providers.

Significant penalties can apply for breaches of these obligations –exceeding $600,000 for companies and $150,000 for individuals.

"The maximum penalties apply under the Act, whether you engage another company to provide unlicensed labour hire services or actually provide those services,” Commissioner Dargavel explains.

"This helps to support a level playing field, and contributes to a fairer industry that treats workers properly.”

Victoria’s licensing scheme was introduced in 2018 to protect labour hire workers and improve the integrity of the industry, following a number of inquiries highlighting unlawful practices and exploitation.

The Victorian scheme followed the introduction of a labour hire licensing scheme in Queensland. Schemes are also in place in South Australia and the ACT. Businesses in other states should also be aware of any legal obligations regarding labour hire.

How viticulture businesses can contribute

Businesses can help to protect workers and improve the integrity of the labour hire industry by only using licensed providers, and by taking active steps to ensure that workers on their premises are being treated lawfully.

Businesses can also assist by reporting

safe and fair conditions for vineyard workers is the responsibility of both grape growers and the companies that supply the workers.

any providers doing the wrong thing via the LHA website, around issues such as:

- labour hire worker mistreatment (e.g. overcrowded accommodation, underpayments)

- illegal arrangements (e.g. tax avoidance)

- a provider advertising or providing services without a licence.

Reports should include details such as business names and addresses, dates and relevant documents or other evidence.

Obligations under the Victorian scheme

Under the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Vic), labour hire providers (some of which are also grape producers) must meet a range of obligations, including to:

- hold a valid licence before advertising or providing labour hire services

- ensure directors and other key people in the business are “fit and proper persons”

- meet their obligations to workers regarding pay and conditions

- comply with applicable accommodation standards

- meet their legal obligations in areas such as taxation, superannuation and workplace health and safety.

The key obligation for host businesses under this Act is to use only licensed labour hire providers,

though hosts can also be liable for a provider’s contraventions under workplace and migration law.

“It’s important for businesses to know who is working at their property, and to take active steps to ensure workers are being treated lawfully,” says Commissioner Dargavel.

issues and OHS violations

Focus

on viticulture and horticulture

Recent LHA compliance and enforcement actions in Victoria’s horticulture industry include:

- a successful prosecution in December 2022, resulting in fines of over $386,000 against a horticulture company and $96,000 against its director

- proceedings filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria in May 2023, alleging an unlicensed company provided workers to pick fruit and vegetables in several Victorian regions

- a case filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria in July 2023, alleging a company (host) sourced workers through unlicensed labour hire providers for orchards in the Cobram area

- inspections of multiple labour hire accommodation sites, identifying issues such as overcrowding, unauthorised building works, hygiene

- a range of licensing actions against labour hire businesses operating in regional Victoria. These actions are part of a compliance and enforcement program targeting significant harms to workers, and industries including meat and poultry processing, commercial cleaning and security.

To support businesses in understanding the licensing scheme and their obligations, LHA has also held information sessions and targeted engagements across Victoria’s regions throughout 2023. These sessions have covered a range of horticulture-related topics, including recent changes to the Horticulture Award 2020 to include a minimum hourly wage guarantee for fruit pickers v

You can learn more about Victoria’s labour hire licensing scheme, including how to apply for a licence and how to comply as a “host” business, on the LHA website: labourhireauthority.vic.gov.au

dried fruit and table grape vines

Red imported fire ants

The saying “an ant may well destroy a whole dam” seems fitting in the case of red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) , a super pest which could have a devastating impact on the environment –as well as social and economic implications.

Known as one of the worst invasive species to reach Australia’s shores, red imported fire ants (RIFA) were first detected in Australia in 2001 in Queensland. Several other detections have been made over the past 20 years, including at ports in Sydney and Fremantle. Recently, RIFA have been making their way south, and are currently about 5km north of the New South Wales/Queensland border.

According to a James Cook University insect ecologist and member of the scientific advisory group for the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program, there is a “good chance” that RIFA have already infiltrated New South Wales.

Government officials are urging Queensland and New South Wales residents to be on high alert and report any suspected detections.

How do RIFA affect us?

- RIFA are aggressive and have a severe, burning sting.

- Large numbers of ants will swarm onto a person or animal stinging over and over, causing the sensation of being on fire.

- Stings can become infected and in rare cases lead to fatal allergic reactions.

- Infestations restrict the use of backyards, parks, playgrounds,

beaches and sports fields and damage electrical, irrigation and agricultural equipment

- Fire ants feed on seeds, insects, spiders, lizards, frogs, birds and mammals. They can displace or kill off native plants and animals and change whole ecosystems beyond repair.

- Their presence limits the ability to export goods to states or countries free of red imported fire ants.

What do they look like?

RIFA are copper brown in colour, with a darker abdomen. They are quite small, at 2-6mm and found in a variety of sizes within one nest. They look similar to other ants.

What do their nests look like?

Fire ant nests can appear as domeshaped mounds or be flat and look like a small patch of disturbed soil. All nests have no obvious entry or exit holes. The ants enter and leave the mound via undergroun d tunnels which radiate outward from the nest – these tunnels can be up to 30 metres long!

Internally, nests consist of many interconnecting galleries, which have a honeycomb appearance.

If a nest is disturbed, the workers may very quickly move the queen and the brood (eggs, larvae and pupae) to a new location.

Fire ant nests are often found in open areas such as lawns and pastures and along roadsides and unused cropland. They can also be found next to or under other objects on the ground, such as timber, logs, rocks, pavers or bricks.

Why is reporting so important?

RIFA represents a serious threat to our health, environment and economy. Members of the community and industry play an important role by

reporting suspected detections. Early reporting is a vital part of preventing RIFA from establishing and spreading. RIFA is a notifiable pest in most Australian states and territories, which means there is a legal obligation to report suspected detections. This obligation applies to everyone, including individuals and organisations.

Anyone who suspects that they have seen RIFA or any other type of exotic invasive ants should report sightings to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. This number will put you in contact with your local department of primary industries or agriculture. v

Sources: https://www.outbreak.gov.au/currentoutbreaks/red-imported-fire-ant https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/insectpests/fire-ants

National Fire Ant Eradication Program

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To learn more and to download the grapes crop guide, visit crop.bayer.com.au/movento or talk to your local Bayer Crop Science representative.

Trade show anticipation

INDUSTRY PREPARES FOR AFL

Around 600 exhibitors from 40 different countries will converge on Hong Kong in September for Asia’s leading fresh produce trade show.

Asia Fruit Logistica (AFL) will return to Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo after being held in Bangkok in 2022, where the first-ever AFL was held 16 years ago.

The Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) will feature as part of the Hort Innovation Grown in Good Nature stand.

ATGA CEO Jeff Scott said table grapes would have a dedicated section of the stand, and exporters could access a private interview room.

The premier fresh fruit and vegetable event had been a compulsory addition to exporters’ calendars before Covid hit, with the 2020 event held virtually, 2021 event cancelled and 2022 impacted by China’s continued travel restrictions.

Australia Fruits managing director Joe Tullio said he was looking forward to the event.

“We think it will be a substantial turnout, the vibe is positive as Covid is now well behind us,” Joe said.

“Hong Kong is a great location for Asians and Westerners to come together. We find exhibiting at the show is beneficial as we meet face to face with our existing customers and meet new customers, suppliers worldwide.

“We share information and it gives us a great opportunity to showcase our offering. Australia Fruits will have Vince Brullo, Ray Erwin, and myself, together with Wandin Valley Farms, on site for the three days.

“The three of us look after different markets and are looking forward to the fruitful outing. At our distribution centre we provide all the logistics required in shipping exports to customers.”

According to AFL, Australia, USA, New Zealand and Egypt will have a prominent presence on the show floor, while 24 national or regional pavilions will adorn the exhibition space.

Visitors to the show will be able to explore a wide range of agtech, from automation and sorting technology, through to packing and processing, IT solutions and POS equipment, as well as smart agriculture.

Joe said there was a buzz beginning to generate for the season, with growing conditions expected to improve.

“We believe it will be a dry hot growing season which normally indicates sweet fruit, which the market likes and is what Australia predominantly is known for – good tasting fruit,” Joe said.

“Together with our grower base we are relatively excited for the coming season. They have good volumes of all the modern varieties.” v

Making market connections

JOINT INDUSTRY PROJECT RETURNS

One of Dried Fruits

Australia’s visions is to foster a “profitable industry, delivering innovative growth, superior quality healthy dried grapes to the world”.

A key objective from the Dried Grape Strategic Investment Plan 2022 – 2026 is to work on demand creation, identifying and prioritising export market niches, developing trade with existing and new export markets, and developing strong relationships across the supply chain to grow the Australian dried grape industry’s share in export markets.

The Australian industry joint export marketing program was established in 2018 between DFA, Australian Premium Dried Fruits and Sunbeam Foods to achieve these set goals.

These activities were paused throughout Covid, however the Australian industry returned to international events this year, with a joint one-week trip to China, where the team visited major dried fruits players and participated in SIAL Shanghai.

DFA CEO Thomas Cheung said the goal for the trip was to reconnect and strengthen the market with existing and potential new customers after a four-year absence.

“Our focus is more on next season and a predicted increase in volume, with a readiness in terms of understanding the market, customer requirements, competitors, strategies on product range, market segment and pricing,” he said.

“Our goal is to increase our export volume to the Chinese market from the current level of 800 tonnes to 1000 tonnes to 5000-6000 tonnes in the next five years.”

DFA is now working together with APDF and Sunbeam Foods to

review the industry's marketing strategy to the Chinese market.

“We successfully reconnected with major customers, existing and new, and gained a good understanding of the Chinese market, consumer trends and customer requirements on our products,” Thomas said.

“Volume and quality issues in the past few years has not helped us in promoting our products in the Chinese market in the ways that we wanted. We have got work to do, to adapt to the changes with an updated marketing strategy for the Chinese market. I am confident we can excel in that market if we work together collectively and strategically.”

Sunbeam export manager David Tucker said the China trip, including SIAL Shanghai, was beneficial.

“We identified numerous opportunities and built some very solid relationships,” he said.

“The visit also gave us the opportunity to educate customers and potential customers on our unique harvesting techniques and sunmuscat offering, which was very well received.

“Most importantly, as an industry, we worked hard to build confidence in our future supply, which is critical for these customers and will open future opportunities in this market.”

The Joint Marketing Program’s next activity will be to Anuga, Germany, in October this year.

European markets have long been the Australian industry’s traditional markets, with about half of the dried grape industry’s export volume bound for Europe. Returning to Europe will aim to strengthen and further develop Australia’s dried grape export business, through visiting customers, establishing connections and participating as an exhibitor. v

LEARNINGS FROM CHINA:

- Chinese dried grape consumption is about 180,000 tonnes/year

- China’s import and export dried grape volumes are almost identical – about 30,000 - 40,000/year

- Current import from Australia is about 800 tonnes, Chile 4500 tonnes, major country is Uzbekistan

- Consumption declined during Covid, resulting in market interruption

- The current Australian ideal prices are about 20 per cent higher than imported Chilean products (Chile is also a tariff free country to China, like Australia)

- Chinese customers are very conscious of dried grape quality, variety, consistent sizes, taste and flavour, as well as product appearance

- The Chinese market enjoys Australian dried grapes, but has reduced affordability due to competition

- Australia’s dried grapes are mainly used in premium snacking and children’s ranges

Overcoming challenges

AUSTRALIAN PREMIUM DRIED FRUITS

The dried vine fruit industry has once again faced an exceptionally challenging season characterised by lower crop yields.

This decline can be attributed to record-breaking spring rains and flooding, which resulted in the onset of disease, particularly downy mildew.

Despite the initial setbacks, there was a glimmer of hope for growers as perfect summer growing conditions offered the potential for excellent quality light-coloured fruit, albeit in smaller quantities. However, the industry's optimism was dampened when untimely rains returned during the crucial drying period, negatively impacting the moisture content and colour of the fruit.

Challenges with wet fruit have increasingly become a recurring seasonal issue.

However, dealing with smaller volumes like the one experienced this season has eased the problem compared to a season with average to above-average crop yields.

Nevertheless, the decline in the number of growers willing to dehydrate their own fruit poses additional challenges for APDF, especially when it comes to managing higher moisture fruit (+20 per cent). Such fruit often requires multiple dehydration cycles to achieve the desired moisture level.

Effectively addressing these dehydration challenges will play a pivotal role in streamlining operations and enhancing overall

productivity within the industry.

To date, the discipline surrounding the use of electronic spray diaries among growers has been disappointing. However, there is no denying the crucial role they will play in managing the chemical inputs employed on vineyards, thereby ensuring that our industry maintains complete traceability from farm to fork.

This innovative tool was specifically designed to streamline the usage and recording of all chemicals used by growers on their farms.

The fruit quality of this year’s crop is far superior to last year even though the trend in terms of colour is toward the darker end.

These challenges and the reduced volumes have curtailed the export program for APDF this season, but it is important to add that export markets are certainly not as buoyant as they once were, and they are certainly not immune to inflationary pressures that are a global phenomenon.

Having visited China recently, where we met with several customers and attended the SIAL Shanghai Trade Show, the overriding feedback from the trip is the lack of price competitiveness and questionable quality over the past couple of seasons. Taking back market share against cheaper origins that sell at half the price of Australian fruit, particularly within mature market segments like the daily nut snacking area where most of the Aussie fruit is consumed, will be difficult – particularly in difficult growing seasons when fruit is not at its best.

Despite the challenges faced during the current season, growers and industry stakeholders in the

dried fruit industry maintain an optimistic outlook for the future. They eagerly await a more uneventful year, free from adverse weather conditions.

The industry's resilience and determination to overcome challenges reflect the commitment to sustainable growth and continuous improvement.v

Enquiries: Grower liaison officer Larry Dichiera 0488 199 221 larry@apdf.com.au

Above: APDF’s Zak Arapovic and Ivy Li at the SIAL Shanghai Trade Show.

Focus on quality and quantity

SUNBEAM FOODS & ANGAS PARK

In another challenging dried vine fruit season, with wet weather conditions similar to 2022, volumes are well down on the previous seasons.

The Sunbeam intake is down 40 per cent on early expectations as the ravages of downy mildew and the delayed maturity have impacted fruit quantity and fruit weight.

Harvest was again impacted by wet and cold weather that saw harvesters still operating well past the desirable end date.

Fruit quality has also been impacted as there was very little light coloured fruit delivered, which diminished the opportunities in some of the export markets and has our export marketing team juggling fruit quality and quantity with market expectations.

The domestic market has tightened on the back of the squeezed economic circumstances, where consumers are being very cautious with their spending.

It is now time to turn the focus to the 2024 crop and the importance to get the vines off to a good start.

The pressure from downy mildew may still play a part in the coming season, so a review of spray programs and equipment before the spraying season is imperative.

Reviewing the frequency and timing of preventative and systemic sprays is always important and more so when the threat and possibility of disease..

Online spray diary

This past season, we launched the online spray diary to replace the hard copy format that is outdated. The online diary gives the grower

and Sunbeam up to date information on the acceptable and registered chemicals particular to dried vine fruit. The list of chemicals is constantly changing and the only way to know the correct chemicals and rates are used is to plan your sprays before application. Additional to accessing the latest most comprehensive information, the online diary builds up a handy history of previous spray programs that can be used as a planning tool for future growing seasons.

As everyone is aware, the annual spray diary is a mandatory record and while the online version is not yet compulsory, we are certainly moving that way.

We will be holding several group and one-on-one training sessions to allow growers to be comfortable and confident with its use.

Field officer Alan Lister retires

At the end of June 2023, Alan Lister retired from his position of field officer with the Sunbeam business after 20 years of service.

Alan played an integral role with our grower base to improve yields, promote high yielding varieties, improving fruit quality and raising the awareness of chemical use and residues.

Everyone at Sunbeam thanks Alan for his service and wishes him and his family all the best in his retirement.

Prunes

As prune sales are showing improved long-term sales, Angas Park has an ongoing requirement for additional prune volume.

To address this forecast shortage the company has initiated a prune

new plantings incentive to encourage existing and potential new entrants to expand the prune production. Interested parties that would like to explore the opportunities and available incentives can contact David Swain – supply manager on the number listed below.

Dried tree fruit

The chill hours accumulation started behind the average but are gradually increasing, with hopefully a good finish to winter and early spring to produce a good crop for later this year.

Our redevelopment of the Pike River Orchard enters the second stage with the last of the vacant land and selected older trees being removed and replanted with the new varieties. Each season as more and more of these new style dried apricots come on stream the more exciting the prospects are.v

Enquiries:

Grower Services | 03 50514 400

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

Profile: Zoë Dichiera

Zoë Dichiera is the commercial manager of Borderland Farms, Sunraysia, and Borderland Queensland Farm. She is the Queensland delegate of the Australian Table Grape Association board, and the Lower Murray Water board for Sunraysia.

Zoë was introduced to farming through her husband Nelson, who she met while travelling Europe some years ago. They later returned to Mildura, where Nelson’s family farm was based, and after taking the reins on the family farm in 2007 they converted it to organic. Now, Zoë and Nelson, and their four children, are the largest Australian grower and packer of organic table grapes, with more than 100 acres of organic production.

How long have you and your family been involved in the table grape industry?

The Dichiera family has been farming in the Sunraysia area for over half a century. First with apricots, plums, citrus and dried sultanas, and then in the 1980s moving into table grapes. In 2007 Nelson and I took over the reins from Nelson's parents. To be honest, I really didn’t know anything about grapes except for seeing them in the supermarket. With Nelson’s guidance he taught me everything, from varieties, to pruning, all the way through to harvesting.

How did you become involved?

At first, I was keen to learn all about farming but as our farm grew so did my curiosity and interest in horticulture.

How have things changed over the years?

When we first took over, farming was still seen as a lifestyle rather than a business. That’s no longer the case. It doesn’t matter if you have 20 acres or 500, if you are a corporate entity or family owned and run, we’re all expected to abide by the same standards. We must all have a full understanding of legislations and business obligations (for example, ethical standards, quality assurance, policy and procedures, work health & safety).

Where do you see the industry going in 2023 and beyond?

Our industry is always evolving. Protecting our environment is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Let’s not assume that between the city and farmers there are different opinions over climate change. We as farmers are at the forefront and face the realities every year of shifting weather events. The future farmer is already reacting fast, because we need to protect our food source, which is very sensitive to these weather shifts. If we don’t protect our environment, soil and water supply, we have nothing – no product, no business, or legacy to pass on to our children.

What do you love about the industry?

The challenges. Although they are at times tough to take, especially when they’re out of your control – like weather events – it’s about how we overcome them and become not only a better person, but have a stronger business too. That’s what I love in our industry.

What are some career highlights/ moments you’re proud of?

Moving into organics and achieving life goals, which include seeing our grapes in the supermarkets, Woolworths, Coles and Harris Farms – the grapes that our children have seen us grow, pick, and pack.

Is there anything related to technology or innovation that you or your business would like to explore more?

There are many advances in farming technology – an exciting space, in particular, is traceability, which we are doing ourselves through spreadsheets. We love working with these new programs, but the next step will be integration. From customers to audits and our own data requirements, we’re still double-handling data. Although there are programs available, the cost for our business is too high or it’s not yet fully integrated.v

The Australian Table Grape Association, Dried Fruits Australia and Murray Valley Wingrowers Inc. and Agriculture Victoria are joining forces on regional issues and topics of interest and importance.

The Sunraysia viticulture industries established a Mallee Horticulture Technical Network to connect agronomic service providers and share regional industry issues, with the inaugural networking event held in June.

Notice board

BOARD BOARD

Dried Fruits Australia’s most recent field walks displayed Warren Lloyd and Ashley Johnstone’s mechanical winter pruning machines, while Rowena Smart hosted growers at an event to discuss the savings that can be made by using a latch for the Shaw swingarm trellis.

The Australian Table Grape Association recently hosted two half-day irrigation management workshops in the Swan Valley, presented by Agriculture Victoria irrigation specialist Jeremy Giddings. The practical workshops were well attended by Swan Valley producers and service providers.

Visit australiangrapes.com.au/ swan-valley-irrigation-managementworkshops/ to see more images.

Mark King (Chair) Producer, Pomona

Warren Lloyd (Deputy Chair) Producer, Irymple

Stephen Bennett Producer, Merbein

Ashley Johnstone Producer, Irymple

Ashley Chabrel Producer, Barmera

Rowena Smart Producer, Red Cliffs

Jeremey Boyd (Chair) Victoria

Rocky Mammone (Deputy Chair) Victoria

Dominic Sergi Victoria

Adrian Cordoma 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

Joe Garreffa New South Wales

Anthony Cirillo New South Wales

Peter Nuich Western Australia

Zoe Dichiera Queensland

Bill Avery South 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.

Copyright © Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited 2023. Copyright subsists in the Vine. Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) owns the copyright, other than as permitted under the Copyright ACT 1968 (Cth). The Vine (in part or as a whole) cannot be reproduced, published, communicated or adapted without the prior written consent of Hort Innovation and both ATGA and DFA.

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