Grape growers could save up to $2,000 per hectare in input, water, and management costs in their red wine grape vineyards through a trial being undertaken across South Australia.
The South Australian wine industry is currently experiencing an oversupply of red wine grapes following COVID-19, challenging market conditions and changing global preferences, but new research has provided a way for growers who do not have a market for their 2024 crop to significantly reduce their vineyard management costs.
Research conducted by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, in partnership with Wine Australia, demonstrated that plant growth regulator Ethephon reduced crop load by up to 90% in the first year of a three-year research study continuing until 2025.
Under experimental conditions, when applied at the end of flowering, Ethephon reduced the crop while maintaining healthy foliage, which is vital for the vine to store energy to set itself up for the following season.
Doing so may enable growers to reduce fertigation, water application, disease sprays and other regular inputs. In some circumstance, growers may even be able to avoid harvesting those blocks which will represent a significant additional saving.
Growers involved with the trial can also apply for a $40 rebate for each hectare sprayed to cover the cost of Ethephon for up to 1,000 hectares per ABN.
Given an approximate cost of $2,500 per hectare to manage red wine grapes, an inexpensive and temporary method to reduce production is a valuable vineyard management option as an alternative to removing vines – and allowing growers time to make good business decisions.
In a welcome development, China has agreed to a five-month review of its wine duties and Australia will suspend action against China in the World Trade Organisation as a result.
This trial provides an additional option for growers who are awaiting the outcome of the Chinese review as trading relations continue to stabilise.
For more information on the rebate, see Vineyard rebate for Ethephon trial.