NEWS
Stakeholders set industry priorities Representatives from all sectors of the dried grape industry have contributed to setting priorities that will form the backbone of Dried Fruits Australia’s strategic direction for years to come. Growers, processors, contractor services and Hort Innovation were at the recent DFA research, development and extension planning forum. Facilitated by DFA field officer Stuart Putland, the event aimed to identify opportunities to improve the economic productivity of dried grape
from growing through to marketing. “There was a particular focus on the
coming years.
production systems, and how we focus
Due to the success of the forum, and
on that to make it successful at scale,”
how productive it was in exploring key
he said.
industry priority areas, he flagged
Stuart said larger dried grape growing properties also presented the opportunity to develop and implement more automation and autonomous
the need to host similar events more regularly to continue collaborative discussions on how the industry can adapt and grow.
systems, including GPS-driven
“The discussion was really solid
tractors.
and well thought-through; people
“It may not necessarily make sense for a small property to invest in this type
were really thinking about what the industry needs,” Stuart said.
of system, but when you get to scale
“There was agreement on priorities by
you can start looking at those things –
the end of the day, and that’s a good
different opportunities start to open
indication that we’re focused on the
up with scale,” he said.
areas the matter most and have also
production systems.
The forum found dried grape
Stuart said through rigorous
own industry to gain knowledge from
discussion, the workshop participants
planning and operations over the
producers could look outside of their
come away with a good list of things to guide the industry in research, development and extension.”
other producer industries to adapt
Staff will now work through the
and implement systems to improve
information gathered at the event, in
wetting, pruning, spraying and
conjunction with the DFA Board,
New equipment and automation
harvesting.
Hort Innovation and the Dried
systems, trellis design and on-farm
Similarly, attendees identified a
formulated their priorities for research, development and extension.
management systems, and education
range of ways education and training
and training were identified as the
could be improved to benefit the
top three priorities. Other key areas
industry – from school programs,
included new varieties, nutrition,
through to online learning, and sharing
efficient cell size including replication
experiences through field days and
and utilistion of agronomy services.
mentoring programs.
Stuart said discussions looked at the
Stuart said the forum’s findings would
entire production of dried grapes,
guide DFA’s investment and strategic
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Grape Strategic Investment Advisory Panel. v
