Common data specifications for spray diaries and vineyard blocks to enable data interoperability across the wine value chain

Abstract

The project objective was to explore the development of a data specification enabling portability of grower agrochemical application records between spray diary systems. This would allow growers to enter their agrochemical data once, share their data across platforms to permitted parties, and maintain access to their historic spray diary data.

Summary

The project research identified two distinct specification requirements for row/block identification and spray application (spray diary) records.

During the research, row/block identification (row/block ID) emerged as a core data point and enabler for many forms of compliance reporting. For example, row/block ID enables grower contracts, market access through agrochemical residue reporting, biosecurity, traceability and, into the future, will be a key enabler of sustainability reporting. Identifying groups of rows (blocks) or part rows between vintages and grower/wine company contracts is a complex challenge that requires agreement across many, if not all nodes of the viticulture supply chain. Complexities arise as blocks can be added, split, combined, renamed and removed across vineyards. Organisations in the supply chain currently refer to blocks via different identifiers making comparison between organisations and keeping historic records for a grower challenging and often impossible.

The project has been highly valuable, not only as a vehicle to develop the foundations of common specifications for row/block identification and spray diary data sharing but also to inform Wine Australia in steps it should consider in terms of a broader industry data strategy and ecosystem. It has highlighted a number of functional and non-functional challenges that exist within the Australian wine industry that must be addressed and overcome to enable effective data sharing. Finally, the project also highlighted the value of existing data such as grapevine variety names, grape colour and bottle codes that, when digitised, can be used to improve the quality of grower data.