Vineyard Ethephon Trial Rebate
Key dates
Applications close on 30 June 2024 at 5 pm.
Project details
Grape growers can 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.
Research conducted by SARDI and the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, in partnership with Wine Australia, demonstrated that Ethephon reduced crop load by up to 90% in the first year of a 3-year study, continuing to 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 for the following season. In some circumstance, growers may even be able to avoid harvesting those blocks which will represent a significant additional saving.
The South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) has produced a technical factsheet for growers wishing to participate in the trial. This covers application rates, timing, considerations for vineyard management, potential risks and knowledge gaps.
Download the Using Ethephon to remove wine-grape crops and reduce management costs factsheet ().
Amounts
Growers involved with the trial can apply for a rebate of $40 per hectare sprayed to cover the cost of Ethephon, up to 1,000 hectares per ABN.
The Ethephon rebate will be allocated up to a total of 5,000 hectares, representing 10% of South Australia's red wine vines.
Eligibility
Growers who choose to trial Ethephon as a method to rest red wine vines are invited to apply for a rebate.
Red wine grape growers across all South Australian regions are eligible to apply.
How to apply
Producers cannot apply for the rebate until at least 7 days after the application of Ethephon.
Before starting your application, you will need to read the vineyard resting rebate guidelines ().
Only one application form per ABN will be accepted.
When applying for the rebate, you will be asked to provide:
- information via a short questionnaire which will help identify future research priorities
- additional information for SARDI as part of their research study
- full evidence of payment (official tax invoices and receipts)
- a completed Vineyard resting rebate 2023–24 acquittal form ().
Go to the Vineyard resting rebate 2023–24 application form on the myPIRSA portal.
It is anticipated that rebate outcomes will be advised approximately 4 weeks from the date of receipt of application if all necessary information has been provided.
Upon submitting the online application form, you will be provided with an application receipt number. This number should be used when contacting the department with any questions or clarifications.