Sharing the load

Sunny skies and lush vines, while picturesque, don't demonstrate the true life of a table grape producer.

Farming can be isolating at times for the main producer and their families. Even the most well-supported growers can find themselves feeling lonely, particularly if they’re facing pressures in addition to everyday farming challenges.

With increased costs and shrinking availability of chemistry, climatic conditions, and added production pressures, it might feel like there is a new challenge at every turn, for some producers.

We sat down with Australian Table Grape Association grower representatives, chair Jeremey Boyd, and New South Wales delegate Joe Garreffa, and other producers, to discuss 2023 season challenges, sharing the load and reaching out, and the light at the end of the tunnel.

Under pressure

It’s been “probably the most challenging year” Jeremey has experienced since he started growing table grapes on his Robinvale property in 1995. He has seen higher than normal pest and disease pressure this year due to wet and humid conditions which, though an initially confronting and shocking experience, has led to some self-reflection, acceptance, and a newfound respect for connection.

“Normally we might have a pest or disease of concern that pops up and we’ll treat it and pluck some leaves off,” he said. “More than 90 per cent of the time we get on top of that.

“This year, pests and diseases have been more relentless because of the weather patterns.

“It’s difficult but you get up the next day and get on with it.”

Jeremey said it was quite confronting to realise he had disease-affected vines, after having several very good years.

While it was easy to feel shocked by the outbreak, he shifted his mindset thanks to the support of family, reaching out to other growers, and trying to look past the negative, which he said was essential.

“At some stage you have to look in the mirror and say you’ve got a choice,” he said. “Do you keep being negative about it or do you just get on with it? After a while, you just accept it.

“My dad would say, ‘What about all the good fruit?’ And I guess that’s all you pick, so why do you worry about the other stuff?”

While competition is strong among the industry, speaking up and sharing the mental load has helped Jeremey to realise he’s not alone.

“We don’t share a lot of trade secrets, as an industry,” he said. “Intellectual property is fairly secretive.

“When you are used to having good years, though, or you become a bit complacent, it can make it hard when you experience a tough one.

I think I’ll probably make more of an effort to reach out from now on.”

For Euston grower Joe Garreffa, who hails from a large family network of table grape growers, it’s that connection which helps.

“I have a large network,” Joe said. “All my family members are running their own farms, and they’re feeling the pinch too.

“But because most of us are all on the farm, we talk to each other. We know that if there are problems, we’re not the only ones. There are a lot of people who have issues.”

Between disease pressure, harvest delays, and increased costs of doing business, Joe has been working long hours, most days, on his property with brother Mick.

“It’s been a lot more labour intensive this year, because of the increased vine growth,” he said. “There is a lot more maintenance required on the vines.

“We’re putting in more hours a day. Emotionally, it has an impact. You spend less time with your family.”

Many growers like Joe and Jeremey have had to make some difficult business decisions this year. Production management must be strategic, spray programs timed to perfection and budgeting finessed – there is no room for error.

These challenges have impacted businesses’ cash flow, and some growers have spoken about the fear of recovering their costs spent –some are even wondering if they can continue at all, with the daily rigour of farming too variable.

Typically, rural and regional communities are labelled as “resilient” and “tough”, but that can often be a barrier for recognising when help is needed.

The National Centre for Farmer Health recognises the impact of stress on farming families.

“A little stress can keep you on your toes and help you get things done, but persistent stress reduces productivity and is probably doing you damage,” the farm health advocate said. “Stress is also a contributing factor to many farm injuries.”

Its key recommendations to growers – which may seem obvious but can be easily forgotten during times of poor mental health – include replacing their “unhelpful patterns of thinking”, talking positively and cutting oneself some slack.

Farmer Health said talking to friends can help growers understand they’re not alone, and potentially find solutions they might not have thought of, while talking to a professional or even their own pets could help reduce the emotional burden just through simply verbalising the struggle.

Looking ahead

However its challenging start, though, most growers remain positive about the season ahead, with remaining crops looking good despite the baptism of fire they’ve been presented with.

Jeremey said small positive changes over the past few months had made it easier to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“I do still think this could be a good year,” Jeremey said. “I think that our markets are looking more positive. I think freight is down 20 per cent. These are big factors for us as table grape growers.

“Sometimes a small change is all we need to make a big difference to our industry.

“I truly believe there are better times ahead. That’s not something I’d just say – I believe it. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here still growing table grapes. I really think the future looks OK – more positive today than it did yesterday.”v