The Australian Wine Research Institute

The Australian Wine Research Institute Blog

Agrochemical update August 2006

1 August 2006 >

Biological control of locusts and grasshoppers using the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae

APVMA 55736
Green Guard SC Biological Insecticide is a Becker Underwood product containing Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum spores. Green Guard SC is registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the control of nymphs of the Australian plague locust, Wingless grasshopper and pest grasshoppers in agricultural areas, pastures, crops, forage crops and non-crop areas. The APVMA has recently confirmed that crops is considered to include vineyards for this particular product.

How it works
The spores either land on the locusts and grasshoppers, direct from the spray, or are picked up as they move around feeding on sprayed vegetation. The fungal spores that attach to the insect germinate and the hyphae that emerges penetrates the cuticle (the outer skeleton of the insect). The fungus then develops inside the body eventually killing the insect.

Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 7 days prior to harvest (temporary).

The reason for a temporary recommended restriction on use
Although it is unlikely that Green Guard SC will be required late in the season, fermentation studies will be conducted in the 2006/2007 vintage to ensure that a seven day withholding period will have no detrimental effects on fermentation. Typically biological preparations such as this are exempt from the requirement of a tolerance. However, this has yet to be confirmed with Australias major wine export markets.

This information is provided to inform the wine industry of agrochemical product information, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

Agrochemical update July 2006

6 July 2006 >

Major changes in the 2006/2007 Dog Book

New actives

APVMA: 51547
Applaud insecticide has been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the control of Longtail mealybug and Tuber mealybug on grapevines.
Applaud is a Dow Agrosciences product containing the active constituent buprofezin. Buprofezin is a Group 17A insecticide.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 80% capfall.

APVMA: 60284
Regent insecticide has been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the control of Fig longicorn on grapevines.
Regent is a Nufarm product containing the active constituent fipronil. Fipronil is a Group 2C insecticide.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Dormant spray only.

APVMA: 56697
Domark 40ME fungicide has been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the control of Powdery Mildew on grapevines.
Domark 40ME is a Sipcam product containing the active constituent tetraconazole. Tetraconazole is a Group C (DMI) fungicide.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 80% capfall.

APVMA: 47333
Gallery 750 herbicide is a Dow Agrosciences product containing the active constituent isoxaben. Isoxaben is a Group K residual herbicide.

Previously registered actives re-introduced

APVMA: 48892
Galben M is a Sipcam fungicide containing the active constituents benalaxyl (Group D) and mancozeb (Group Y). Galben M has a registration for the control of Downy Mildew and Black Spot on grapevines.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 80% capfall.

APVMA: 58704
Rebound is a Kiwi Rural Trading fungicide containing the active constituents oxadixyl (Group D) and mancozeb (Group Y). Rebound has a registration for the control of Downy Mildew on grapevines.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 80% capfall.

Some other product changes

APVMA: 50722
Liquicop copper fungicide currently has a registration for the control of Downy Mildew on grapevines. This registration has been expanded so that Liquicop has now been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the control of Powdery Mildew on grapevines.
Liquicop is an Ekko product containing the active constituent copper ammonium acetate. Copper ammonium acetate is a Group Y fungicide.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 30 days before harvest.

APVMA: 51217
Farmoz Axiom MZ 720 fungicide has been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for the control of Downy Mildew on grapevines.
Farmoz Axiom MZ 720 contains two active constituents: mancozeb (Group Y) and metalaxyl (Group D).
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 30 days before harvest.

Garden Weevil Permits

APVMA: Permit 8671
Permit 8671 has been issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority which allows the use of Dominex 100 EC and other registered products containing 100g/L alpha-cypermethrin as their only active constituent, as a butt drench for the control of Garden Weevil in South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania and Blackvine weevil in Tasmania. This permit is in force from October 14 2005 to June 30 2010.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 80% capfall.

APVMA: Permit 8720
Permit 8720 has been issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority which allows the use of Avatar for the control of Garden Weevil on grapevines (wine grapes only). This permit is in force from 22 December 2005 to 31 December 2006.
Avatar is a Dupont product. It contains the active constituent indoxacarb which is a group 22A insecticide.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than E-L 31 (before bunch closure), but do not use later than 8 weeks before harvest.

Insecticides: Restrictions on use

Paragraph 3 on page 10 of the booklet outlines the recommended restrictions on use for all 1A, 1B, 2B and 3A insecticides. The restriction on use is: Use no later than 80% capfall. It is also recommended that you contact your winery/grape purchaser prior to the use of any insecticides.
The only exception is for 3A products containing the active constituent bifenthrin which is only for use during dormancy.
You will also notice that no 1A, 1B, 2B or 3A insecticides appear in the Recommendations section of the booklet (Page 4-9). The only exception is those actives under permit for garden weevil control and those for control of grapevine scale which are recommended for use during dormancy only.
The Recommendations section of the booklet is intended to reflect preferred actives for each pest or disease listed. As softer option insecticides are available the 1A, 1B, 2B and 3A insecticides have been removed. However, products containing these actives still have a registration for some of the pests listed and therefore, are listed under Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture (page 12-13).

This information is provided to inform the wine industry of agrochemical product information, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

AWRI Board is complemented with legal expertise from Foster’s

16 March 2006 >

AWRI Managing Director, Professor Sakkie Pretorius, announced the appointment to the AWRI Board of Mr Paul Conroy, Legal Affairs Director for Foster’s Group. “I am pleased to announce that Paul Conroy has accepted the AWRI Board’s nomination to join them as a ‘Special Qualifications Director’. Paul’s skills, expertise and passion for the industry will be an invaluable asset to the Australian wine industry’s own R&D organisation.”

Paul has had a successful legal career in a leading Australian law firm and had practiced as a corporate lawyer on the firm’s behalf in Australia, Asia and the UK. Following this, Paul has successfully operated in both senior legal and management roles reporting to the CEO in two significant Australian public companies. He has a deep understanding of the legal, corporate governance and change management issues that an international business faces, as well as proven experience at achieving practical results with management.

“The AWRI Board is currently in the process of finalising the appointment of its second ‘Special Qualifications Director’, which should be completed in the next couple of months,” said Professor Pretorius. “We are delighted that Paul has accepted the Board’s nomination, and I am personally looking forward to working with him, and to his contribution to the Australian wine industry in this capacity.”

The AWRI Board comprises some of Australia’s most well respected industry members as well as a representative from The University of Adelaide. The members are:

Jim Brayne (McWilliam’s Wines)
Paul Conroy (Foster’s Group)
Peter Dawson (Hardy Wine Company)
Robin Day (Domain Day)
Tim James (Wirra Wirra)
Geoff Linton (Yalumba Wines)
Stephen Millar (Constellation Wines)
Sakkie Pretorius (Managing Director, AWRI, ex officio)
Steve Tyerman (The University of Adelaide)

Further information: Sakkie Pretorius, Managing Director tel: 08 8303 6610.

Agrochemical update February 2006

9 February 2006 >

APVMA: Downy Mildew Permit expired

Permit 8940 was issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority which allowed the use of Farmoz Axiom MZ 720 for the control of Downy Mildew on grapevines. This permit expired on the 31 December 2005.

APVMA: 51217

Farmoz Axiom MZ 720 has been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for the control of Downy Mildew on grapevines.

Farmoz Axiom MZ 720 contains two active constituents: mancozeb (Group Y) and metalaxyl (Group D).

Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 30 days before harvest.

APVMA: 52531

Cuprofix Disperss is currently registered for the control of Downy Mildew on grapevines. The label rate has been reduced for vines. The dilute spay rate is now 250 400 g per 100L.

APVMA: Permit 8720

Permit 8720 has been issued by the Australian pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority which allows the use of Avatar for the control of Garden Weevil on grapevines (wine grapes only). This permit is in force from 22 December 2005 to 31 December 2006.

Avatar is a Dupont product. It contains the active constituent indoxacarb which is a group 22A insecticide. For further conditions of use view the permit via the link above.

Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than E-L 31 (before bunch closure), but do not use later than 8 weeks before harvest.

This information is provided to inform the wine industry of agrochemical product information, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

Chief of world’s largest wine company joins the Board of AWRI

15 December 2005 >

The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) announced today the results of the election conducted to appoint three levy representatives to the new AWRI Board. The new appointments are effective from 1 January 2006.

Managing Director, Professor Sakkie Pretorius, said “I am pleased to announce that Robin Day and Tim James have been returned to the AWRI Board for a further three years. Robin and Tim have been extremely valuable contributors to the success of the AWRI, and I am delighted that we have been able to secure their services for a further term.”

In addition, Stephen Millar, President and CEO of Constellation Wines, the world’s largest wine company, has been elected as a new member of the AWRI’s Board.

Stephen currently serves in leadership roles in numerous industry organisations. He is an Executive Council Member, and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia (WFA). He is also a Director of Drinkwise Australia – an Australian industry initiative to promote responsible alcohol consumption.

“Stephen brings to the AWRI Board high level corporate experience, outstanding strategic skills and a proven track record in leadership within the wine industry. I am very much looking forward to working with Stephen in the next phase of the AWRI’s growth”, said Sakkie.

The new Board comprises some of Australia’s most well respected industry members as well as a representative from The University of Adelaide. The members are:

  • Jim Brayne (McWilliam’s Wines)
  • Peter Dawson (Hardy Wine Company)
  • Robin Day (Domain Day)
  • Tim James (Wirra Wirra)
  • Geoff Linton (Yalumba Wines)
  • Stephen Millar (Constellation Wines)
  • Sakkie Pretorius (Managing Director, AWRI, ex officio)
  • Steve Tyerman (The University of Adelaide)

The AWRI Board will be supplemented with two additional Directors who will be elected by the new Board under the AWRI’s ‘Special Qualification Directors’ clause. “We expect these appointments to be made during the next few months”, said Sakkie.

Further information: Sakkie Pretorius, Managing Director tel: 08 8303 6610.

Wine industry advice is ‘no’ to GMO

16 November 2005 >

Genetically modified wine yeasts have arrived on the North American market; what does this mean for the Australian industry?

Until now, the GMO debate has largely been academic for Australian grape growers and winemakers but this is likely to change: Springer Oenologie (a division of Lesaffre Yeast Corporation) has released the first GM wine yeast, known as ML01, to the North American market.

For the time being release of ML01 to the North American market should make little or no difference to what is done in Australia; this yeast has not been approved for use in this country. Before GMOs (and GMO-derived products) can be used in food production or processing in Australia they are subjected to prescribed risk assessments and there is considerable public consultation required during this process.

In addition to this, even if a GM yeast was to get through the above approvals processes, it still would not be used to make wine in Australia; at least not at this time. The Australian wine industry’s position on the application of gene technology in grape and wine production is: .that no genetically modified organisms be used in the production of Australian wine1. The reason for this is not that the industry is anti-GM but rather that it acknowledges the importance of safety and public acceptance before adopting any new technology in wine production. The industry takes the view that: ‘. there are potentially great benefits in employing gene technology‘ however ‘the industry is also conscious of the need for safety, openness and quality assurance in any use of gene technology‘.

In this context it is important to note that U.S. legislation does not require labeling to notify the consumer that Springer Oenologie’s ML01 yeast is a GMO. Therefore it is important for Australian winemakers to be vigilant in case some ML01 does find its way here.

Whether the Australian wine industry’s position on use of GMOs in winemaking is likely to change in the foreseeable future depends on the balance between risks and benefits associated with using such yeasts and whether local and overseas markets are seen to be ready to accept wines that have been made using GMOs.

What are the risks associated with using ML01? In terms of health risks there should be none. The two foreign genes incorporated into the wine yeast to make it MLF-competent come from organisms that are typically associated with foods and/or beverages. One comes from the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which is found in many alcoholic beverages, and the other comes from O. oeni, which is used routinely in the wine industry for MLF. A great deal of work has been done to show that the two genes are stable in their new background and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration designated it a GRAS (generally recognised as safe) organism in their response to Lesaffre’s submission to that office (although it should be pointed out that ‘GRAS’ is not recognised as a global standard).

It would seem from balancing some of the more obvious risks and benefits associated with the use of ML01, that having access to this yeast might be a good thing for Australian winemakers. However, even if ML01 was to be approved by Australian authorities for use in this country, public acceptance of GMOs in domestic and overseas markets remains a major hurdle, and until the industry can be assured of this it will toe a cautious line. Thus, for now it is important to adhere to the Australian Wine Industry’s position that no genetically modified organisms be used in the production of Australian wine.

Further information:

Dr Paul Chambers, Principal Molecular Biologist, The Australian Wine Research Institute
Telephone: 08 8303 6600; email: Paul.Chambers@awri.com.au
or
Rae Blair, Manager – Communication and Information Services, The Australian Wine Research Institute
Telephone: 08 8303 6600; email: Rae.Blair@awri.com.au

Downy Mildew update 2005

4 November 2005 >

Downy Mildew Permit

Permit 8940 has been issued by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority which allows the use of Farmoz Axiom MZ 720 for the control of Downy Mildew on grapevines. This permit is in force from 02 November 2005 to 31 December 2005.

Farmoz Axiom MZ 720 contains two active constituents mancozeb (GROUP Y) and metalaxyl (Group D). For further conditions of use view the permit via the link above.

Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 30 days before harvest.

This information is provided to inform the wine industry of agrochemical product information, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

Agrochemical update – October 2005

20 October 2005 >

Garden Weevil Permit

APVMA Permit number 5094 has now expired. Permit 5094 allowed the use of alpha-cypermethrin (100g/L) products currently registered for use in Australian viticulture, as a butt drench for control of Garden Weevil in South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania and Blackvine weevil in Tasmania.

This has been replaced by Permit 8671. This allows the use of Dominex 100 EC and other registered products containing 100g/L alpha-cypermethrin as their only active constituent, as a butt drench for the control of Garden Weevil in South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania and Blackvine weevil in Tasmania. This permit is in force from October 14 2005 to June 30 2010.

Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 80% capfall.

Fungicides

APVMA: 50722
Liquicop copper fungicide currently has a registration for the control of Downy Mildew on grapevines. This registration has been expanded so that Liquicop has now been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the control of Powdery Mildew on grapevines.

Liquicop is an Ekko product containing the active constituent copper ammonium acetate. Copper ammonium acetate is a Group Y fungicide.

Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 30 days before harvest.

Insecticides

APVMA: 51547
Applaud insecticide has been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the control of Longtail mealybug and Tuber mealybug on grapevines.

Applaud is a Dow Agrosciences product containing the active constituent buprofezin. Buprofezin is a Group 17A insecticide.

Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 80% capfall.

This information is provided to inform the wine industry of agrochemical product information, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

New Products registered for use in viticulture – September 2005

29 September 2005 >

Fungicides

APVMA: 56697
Domark 40ME fungicide has been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for the control of Powdery Mildew on grapevines.
Domark 40ME is a Sipcam product containing the active constituent tetraconazole. Tetraconazole is a Group C (DMI) fungicide.
Restriction on use for export grapes: Use no later than 80% capfall.

Herbicides

APVMA: 58547
Gazelle 330 is a Sipcam product containing the active constituent pendimethalin. Pendimethalin is a Group D residual herbicide.

APVMA: 59821
Propon is an Agricrop product containing the active constituent 2,2-DPA-sodium. 2,2-DPA-sodium is a Group J systemic herbicide.

APVMA: 47333
Gallery 750 is a Dow Agrosciences product containing the active constituent isoxaben. Isoxaben is a Group K residual herbicide.

This information is provided to inform the wine industry of agrochemical product information, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

State government grant of $9.5 m supports wine and grape research and development

25 May 2005 >

The South Australian Government has recognised the importance of the wine industry with $9.5 m in funding that will allow the development of a Wine Innovation Cluster, located on the Waite Precinct in Urrbrae. This Cluster will bring together the leading R&D groups for the wine industry, which will underpin the industry for the next phase of growth.

The purpose built state-of-the-art facility (Wine Innovation Cluster) will be a new home for The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), will include space for Provisor Pty Ltd (the major national research facility), SARDI Viticulture staff, and grape and wine scientists of The University of Adelaide and will link to the existing CSIRO Plant Industry building. The Wine Innovation Cluster will have the following features to make it an asset for all Australian wine industry research.

  • A collocated multidisciplinary research capacity to develop practical tools for whole of chain management of colour, tannin, aroma and flavour features in grapes and wine which contribute to wine quality.
  • Collocation of AWRI, Provisor and UA analytical chemistry equipment with CSIRO analytical laboratories to develop a world-leading analytical chemistry cluster with a grape and wine focus.
  • Strong linkages among viticultural researchers with access to shared sites.
  • Development of multiple-user laboratories for grape and wine sample preparation for chemical analysis.
  • Collocated fermentation laboratories with Multi-Scale fermentation capabilities.
  • Space for visiting researchers to access the facilities — domestic and international.
  • Joint operation and development of sensory facilities.
  • A capacity to develop metabolomics for use in grape and wine research.

Collocation of these grape and wine R&D and innovation leaders will ensure national-scale, unified and collaborative direction of direct benefit to the Australian wine and grape industry.

The Australian Wine Research Institute, celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2005, has outgrown its existing facility with older parts of the building near to ‘falling apart’. “We welcome the State Government’s support of providing appropriate accommodation for the AWRI. This funding has secured AWRI’s presence in South Australia, and also facilitated an opportunity for closer collaboration with other wine and grape R&D providers”, said Professor Sakkie Pretorius, Managing Director of The Australian Wine Research Institute. “We have been serving the national wine industry for 50 years and these new facilities will assist Australia to maintain its wine leadership role. The Wine Innovation Cluster will be able to accommodate and attract the brightest scientists from Australia and around the world to apply their skills for Australia’s benefit.”

For further information: Sakkie Pretorius, Managing Director, or Rae Blair, Manager – Communication and Information Services, The Australian Wine Research Institute (tel: 08 8303 6610, email: Rae.Blair@awri.com.au)