Growers to learn the latest on vineyard spraying
Spray application technology keeps improving and regulations keep changing. To help growers stay in touch with developments, Wine Australia and the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) have organised seven workshops across Victoria and South Australia in October.
Each half-day session will look at equipment performance, latest developments and the best management of pests and diseases. There will be a particular focus on local conditions and local issues.
Practical demonstrations will include spray application assessment and how to improve spray penetration and coverage.
‘Spray application is a major part of almost all vineyard businesses. We want to support more effective use of product, improved environmental practices and, in the end, their hip pocket’, said the AWRI’s Extension Services Manager, Adrian Loschiavo.
‘These will be really informative, practical workshops designed to help add value for anyone using agrochemicals in the wine sector, from vineyard owners, managers, consultants or grower liaison officers to chemical resellers.’
Presenters at each workshop will include Dr Andrew Landers, who directs the application technology program at Cornell University in the US, and Alison MacGregor, the Senior Agronomist with Mildura-based SunRISE Mapping and Research.
‘Andrew has great knowledge on how to get the most out of any sprayer and his recent research has been focused on new spray technologies. We’ve invited Andrew to present and he’ll come across from the US just for these workshops’, Mr Loschiavo said.
‘Alison has extensive expertise in spray application and disease control and will help growers to understand how best to manage disease in their vineyards.
‘Both will bring some interesting new perspectives to the workshops and the in-field session will provide an opportunity for growers to see sprayers in action first-hand.’
The workshop schedule is:
- Mildura, Friday 14 October
- Barossa Valley, Wednesday 19 October
- McLaren Vale, Thursday 20 October
- Langhorne Creek, Friday 21 October
- Milawa, Tuesday 25 October
- Mornington Peninsula, Wednesday 26 October
- Yarra Valley, Thursday 27 October
Workshops will run from 7:30am to noon. Registration is $10 and includes breakfast and morning tea. In Mildura, the workshop will begin at 8:30am and include morning tea and lunch.
Full information and registration details are available at www.grapeandwineevents.com.au.