Tablegrape producers reach high levels of efficiency

Customer acceptance of only the highest quality tablegrapes makes Robinvale growers very discerning about every aspect of production, including the use of water.

They were among the first to adopt micro-irrigation technology for on-property delivery of water and monitoring of soil moisture as well as the needs of the vine for water and nutrients.

Until a year ago, however, what was lacking was the best possible water link between properties and the River Murray. That gap in the loop was closed when the 2700 hectare Robinvale irrigation district was connected to a high pressure pipeline system. In addition to saving 1500 megalitres a year the system means more reliable supply and year round supply. Taking nearly three years to complete (with funding from the Victorian Water Trust, Lower Murray Water and Robinvale customers) the $47m project suits precision irrigation and enables easier planning and application of water by producers.

The district is tile drained which assists salinity management of the sandy loam Mallee soil. Very little water is lost below the root zone, however, with most of the 9 megalitres/hectare/year applied to tablegrape vines being taken up for canopy and berry development.

Tablegrape growers David Smith (left) and Peter MacIntosh pictured in a vineyard irrigated with a micro-system at ground level and with a cooling sprinkler at the top of the canopy, say on-property efficiency levels are at a point where further cuts in allocation will be impossible.

Experience has shown them that reducing irrigation by 30% can drop yields by 40% and profits by even more than this because at 6 megalitres/hectare it is not possible to produce the crisp, ripe, flavour-filled grapes domestic and export markets demand.

When allocations have been cut there has been no choice but to purchase temporary water, the price of which fluctuates with demand across all irrigated enterprises.

Irrigation is used to drive growth and yield. It is also a form of security in advance of heat waves which are one of the few major risks in an otherwise ideal environment for growing tablegrapes.

As a driver of growth and quality, irrigation combined with fertigation and matching of rootstocks to soil type and variety, can ensure the right balance of vigour. Coloured varieties like Flame Seedless and Crimson Seedless, for example, will not accumulate their best colour if there is excessive vigour.

Tablegrape production is a management-intensive business which has been built on research and development (spanning plant breeding, irrigation and other aspects) plus experience across generations.

Caption: David Smith and Peter MacIntosh.

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2010. Tablegrape producers reach high levels of efficiency . [Online] (Updated November 29th, 2010)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/3798 [Accessed Thursday 1st of March 2012 07:29:16 AM ].