Research to Practice®
Research to Practice one-day workshops are designed to facilitate practical training for grape growers, winemakers and associated personnel. The model upholds the principle established by the Cooperative Research Centre Viticulture which was to convey the latest research findings to industry and improve the levels of adoption of best practice management techniques.
The currently available modules include the recently-released Alternative varieties: emerging options for a changing environment which sets out to showcase the potential of emerging winegrape varieties from what is a largely untapped resource. The Managing Grapevine Nutrition and Integrated Pest Management training provide the latest ‘best practice’ strategies for viticulturists. All courses are currently ‘FarmReady’ registered and as such set out to improve the capacity of participants to adapt to climate change and increase self reliance and preparedness.
A new course is being developed evaluating Conventional, Organic and Biodynamic practices and is due to be released in 2012.
Research to Practice® workshops
Managing grapevine nutrition in a changing environment
Prepared by Mardi Longbottom
Changes in temperature, rainfall and evaporation are predicted to varying degrees across Australia’s winegrape growing regions. This will directly affect both the ability of vines to extract nutrients from the soil and nutrient mobility within the vine.
The provision of adequate nutrition is integral to successful vineyard management and the production of grapes with specific compositional attributes.
This regionally-specific training will give land managers an awareness of the implications that climate change will have for nutritional status, skills in identifying nutrient deficiencies/toxicities and strategies to rectify them.
Integrated pest management for changing viticultural environments
Prepared by David Braybrook
The weather patterns predicted for Australia’s winegrape-growing regions will directly affect the stress on vines as pest life-cycles become unpredictable in variable or untested climatic conditions.
The ability to recognise and respond to pest threats in a timely and sustainable manner is critical in maintaining yield and quality while meeting economic, social and environmental responsibilities. The preservation of crop health is integral in the production of grapes with targeted compositional attributes.
Alternative varieties – emerging options for a changing environment
Prepared by Libby Tassie and Peter Dry
The warmer temperatures predicted for Australia will change our wine growing country and potentially shift varietal suitability across regions. This workshop will give viticulturists and winemakers an insight into alternative varieties. The training manual includes researched findings on 40 varieties that may have potential in the Australian environment. An in-depth analysis of 15 varieties selected for regional suitability will include viticultural and winemaking characteristics as well as the historical background of each variety. A wine tasting component will showcase local and/or imported wines from the varieties that have potential to succeed in the local conditions.
Winery wastewater management
Prepared by Karl Forsyth
Climate change, drought and water shortage are real and immediate threats for the Australian grape and wine sector. Efficient water use, wastewater management, water reuse and recycling are therefore key strategies for a sustainable production.
This workshop details key principles of winery wastewater management for both small to large wineries. Cleaner production opportunities, best practice treatment options, problem solving and water reuse will be discussed through a series of case studies. Participants will be guided through the recently-released GWRDC winery wastewater management and recycling project publications: Business fundamentals, Operational Guidelines and Resource Kit. The course is designed to be practical with many examples and case studies of practical and worthwhile opportunities to improve the efficiency of winery wastewater.
Available soon:
Sustainable viticulture: a comparison of organic, biodynamic and conventional practices.
Prepared by Luke Johnston
This training module will use the latest research from Australia and abroad to compare different viticultural practices and their impacts on grapegrowing and winemaking parameters. The practices will be evaluated with respect to the impacts on soil health, plant pathology, vine physiology and nutrition. Wine sensory properties will be compared during a wine tasting session.
For more information please contact Mardi Longbottom via email (rtp@awri.com.au) or telephone (08 8313 6600).FarmReady Scheme
Research to Practice is available to all regional groups and will be coordinated by the AWRI in conjunction with regional associations. This process will enable the training to be tailored to local needs. Registration and other costs may be subsidised via the Australian Government's FarmReady scheme.
Eligible participants are able to claim up to $1500 per financial year to attend FarmReady approved courses, with additional funding available for associated reasonable travel, accommodation and childcare expenses.
To be eligible for the FarmReady Reimbursement Grant, you need to be either a:
- primary producer (including farmers, fishers and foresters as defined by the Australian Taxation Office)
- immediate family member of a primary producer
- member of the management team of a primary production enterprise or
- Indigenous land manager
Before you attend a FarmReady approved course, complete and lodge an application form. Please be advised that you must allow five (5) working days for your application to be processed, and to be notified of the result. This 'Pre-Approval to attend an approved course' and to receive a grant (upon course completion) is not guaranteed if you do not allow the five (5) working days.
This 'Pre-Approval' must be granted prior to the commencement of the course in order to receive a FarmReady Reimbursement Grant. The applicant is solely responsible for any outlays made before receiving Pre-Approval.
- Application Form (PDF, 78kb)
- Application Form (MS Word, 197kb)
After you have completed the FarmReady approved course you have nominated, you should lodge a 'claim for reimbursement and course review form'.
- Claim for Reimbursement and Course Review Form (PDF, 97kb)
- Claim for Reimbursement and Course Review Form (MS Word, 197kb)
For further assistance, please see the Application procedure.
For more information, or to express an interest in having Research to Practice workshops in your region, please contact Marcel Essling via e-mail (rtp@awri.com.au) or telephone (08) 8313 6600.