The Australian Wine Research Institute

The Australian Wine Research Institute Blog

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)

PROCYMIDONE UPDATE 28 JANUARY 2005

28 January 2005 >

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) have confirmed that current recommendations put in place for procymidone use will remain in force until a full review of this chemical is complete.

Withholding Period (WHP)

As a result the current restriction on procymidone use recommended by the AWRI has been amended to come into line with the WHP set by the APVMA.

The new restriction is Use no later than 9 days before harvest.

Re-Entry Period

The APVMA re-entry period of 9 days still stands. The AWRI has been advised that there are no acute dietary concerns for adults undertaking activities such as handling or consumption of grapes when a 9 day period has elapsed between the last spray and those activities taking place.

Please note that a 24 day re-entry period still applies for girdling activities.

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

CHANGES TO THE PROCYMIDONE WITHHOLDING PERIOD AND NEW INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

19 November 2004 >

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) are recalling all procymidone products purchased before 19 November 2004.

These products must be supplied with a copy of the new instructions for use. ALL previous labels have been suspended. Copies of instructions can be obtained from your local reseller of procymidone products.

SOME OF THE NEW INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE DIRECTLY RELAVENT TO WINE GRAPES.

1.PROHIBITED CROP USES includes grapes (except for use on grapes grown for wine production).
2.RESTRICTION ON USE: The new domestic label withholding period will also replace the currently recommended restriction on use for wine grapes intended for export. The new restriction on use is Use no later than 9 days before harvest .
3.PRODUCTS: These instructions on use cover all procymidone products registered for use in Australian viticulture. Some registered products include Cyon 500; Fortress 500; Rumble; Spiral Aquaflo and Sumisclex 500.
4.RE-ENTRY: Do not enter treated areas for 9 days after spray application unless wearing cotton overalls buttoned to the neck and wrist (or equivalent clothing), chemical resistant gloves and boots. Clothing must be laundered after each days use.
5.SAFETY DIRECTIONS: WARNING Contains procymidone which causes birth defects in laboratory animals. Women of child bearing age should avoid contact with procymidone.

For more details please visit the APVMA website: http://www.apvma.gov.au. Under the heading Latest News click on APVMA takes regulatory action on popular horticultural fungicide 18 November 2004 and follow the prompts to the relevant documents.

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

Director of AWRI appointed as CEO of Australian Research Council

22 June 2004 >

Professor Peter Høj has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Research Council (ARC) effective from 1 October 2004.

Peter Høj commenced at the AWRI in November 1997, and from this time implemented a cross-disciplinary approach to strategic research and development. During his tenure, the AWRI was recognised with the receipt of the Maurice O’Shea Award in 2002 for its contribution to the Australian wine industry. Peter had a strong involvement in the establishment of the National Wine Industry Research Cluster (now known as Provisor) through the grant awarded from the Major National Research Facilities scheme, for which he was a shared recipient of the SA Great Award (2002). He was also awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003 for his service through wine research and science.

During his AWRI tenure, Peter has gained extensive experience as a member of various industry, science and research committees, including the Steering Committee for the McGauchie Review in 2003 on collaboration between universities and publicly funded research agencies, and the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council.

A full press release from the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson MP dated 22 June 2004 is attached.

Peter’s last day at the AWRI is Friday, 27 August 2004, after which he will have a good holiday.

The AWRI’s Chairman and Council have already commenced the process of filling the vacancy that Peter’s new appointment has created.

Tokuthion no longer registered for wine grapes

26 November 2003 >

Tokuthion is a Bayer product, containing the active constituent prothiofos which is a 1B insecticide. Tokuthion was previously registered for control of longtailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus) on grapevines (WA, NT, SA and VIC only). The wine grape registration has been withdrawn but the table grape registration still stands.

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

Benomyl Registration 2003/2004

3 November 2003 >

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) have released a media statement regarding their intention to review the registration status of the agricultural fungicide, benomyl. To view the media release statement and additional gazetted information go to http://www.apvma.gov.au/media.

Marvel: Until such time as the review has been completed the manufacture of Farmoz Marvel fungicide has been suspended. However, any existing stocks of Marvel are still registered for use in viticulture until April 20 2004.

Benlate: The manufacture of Benlate was discontinued by Dupont and sales ceased on December 31 2001. However, existing stocks of Benlate are still registered for use in viticulture until April 20 2004.

Existing stocks of both benomyl products can only be supplied if:

  • a copy of the MSDS for the product accompanies the product and
  • the following FAISD warning statement is securely affixed to the container Contains benomyl which causes birth defects in laboratory animals. Women of child bearing age should avoid contact with benomyl.

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

Update on Phomopsis control

21 October 2003 >

Shirlan fungicide has been granted registration by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority for the pre-budburst suppression of phomopsis cane and leaf blight (Phomopsis viticola) in grape vines.

Shirlan is a Crop Care product, containing the active constituent fluazinam. Fluazinam is a Group Y (multi-site:pyradinamine) fungicide.

Restriction on use for export grapes: Dormant spray only.

Note: 32 day re-entry period. “Persons re-entering treated vines for up to 32 days following application and who will be handling treated vines must wear cotton overalls buttoned to the neck and wrist, a washable hat and elbow length PVC gloves. Clothing must be laundered after each days use.”

Seasonal sprays for the control of phomopsis cane and leaf blight (Phomopsis viticola) in grape vines.

Crop Care Captan WG contains the active constituent captan which is a Group Y (multi-site:cyclic imide) fungicide.

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

Dithianon: Delan 700 and Patrol 700WG contain the active constituent dithianon which is a Group Y (multi-site: quinone) fungicide.

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

Mancozeb: There are a range of products containing the active constituent mancozeb, which is a Group Y (multi-site: dithiocarbamate) fungicide.

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.

Garden Weevil Permits 2003

21 January 2003 >

Permit number 5094

Dominex 100EC Insecticide and other products registered for grapevines containing 100g/L of alpha-cypermethrin as their only active constituent, have been granted an off-label permit by the National Registration Authority for the control of garden weevil in grapevines.

In force from 04 November 2002 to 30 September 2005.

This permit covers the control of Garden weevil in TAS, WA and SA only and Blackvine weevil in TAS only.

Apply as a butt drench of 100ml of product per 100L of water at a rate of 300 to 500 ml to each vine butt and post. Do not apply to foliage.

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

Permit number 5571

The following products have been granted an off-label permit by the National Registration Authority for the control of Garden weevil in bearing grapevines: Sumitomo Sumi-alpha 19EC Insecticide containing 19 g/L esfenvalerate as its only active constituent and Hallmark 50EC Insecticide and Sumitomo Sumi-alpha 50 EC Insecticide containing 50 g/L esfenvalerate as their only active constituent.

In force from 01 November 2002 to 01 November 2003.

Apply as a foliar spray at 80ml/100L for products containing 19 g/L of esfenvalerate and 30ml/100L for products containing 50 g/L of esfenvalerate. Do not apply more than 2 applications.

Restriction on use for domestic grapes: Use no later than 28 days before harvest.

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

To view these permits please click on the permit number.
These are PDF files and require Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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

Prosper fungicide registered

17 December 2002 >

Prosper 500 EC fungicide has been granted registration by the National Registration Authority for the control of powdery mildew on grapevines.

Prosper 500 EC is a Bayer product, containing the active constituent spiroxamine. Spiroxamine is a Group E (morpholine) fungicide.

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.

Champ Dry Prill registered

29 November 2002 >

Champ Dry Prill fungicide has been granted registration by the National Registration Authority for the control of downy mildew in grapevines.

Champ Dry Prill is a Nufarm product, containing the active constituent copper (Cu) as cupric hydroxide. Copper is a Group Y fungicide.

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.