A new set of guidelines will help South Australian grain and winegrape growers manage smoke from broadacre stubble burns to reduce risk of damage to smoke-sensitive unharvested winegrapes.
The Broadacre Burn-off Smoke Management Guideline, launched today, was developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) in collaboration with industry representative organisations Grain Producers SA, Wine Grape Council of South Australia, South Australian Wine Industry Association Inc., along with other grape and wine associations. Expert input was provided by the State Bushfire Coordination Committee and the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS).
The guideline supports the CFS Smoke Management Policy, also launched today by CFS, by providing detailed information targeted specifically for both grain and wine grape growers to mitigate the impact risks of smoke from broadacre stubble burning on the quality of unharvested grapes.
The guideline sets out actions for each industry to take in relation to carrying out stubble burns. This includes considerations for grain growers for weather and conditions before burning, and for grape and wine organisations to communicate about the status of harvested and unharvested grapevine crops in their regions. There are checklists for both grain and grape industries to guide their activities.
The cooperation of both grain and winegrape industries was integral to the creation of the guidelines, which are expected to help reduce the risks of smoke taint on unharvested winegrapes.
The guideline is available at Reducing smoke taint in grapes.
Learn more about the Smoke Management Policy at Farm fire safety and prevention on the CFS website.