Eligible grape growers and viticulturists will have the opportunity to learn the latest applied scientific research on protecting vineyard health at a workshop featuring a range of world experts and get all their costs reimbursed.

"We are very lucky to have experts from the USA, New Zealand and Australia in the Hunter Valley to train vineyard managers and workers" said Tony Somers, Tocal based horticulturist with Industry & Investment NSW.

"The Federal Governments support under the FarmReady training grant means that eligible participants will be able to travel to the Hunter Valley, learn from world experts and get their expenses refunded.

"This will equip grape producers with the tools to manage their vineyard health and plan ahead for productivity growth into the future."

The workshop will be held on 2 October 2009 at Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin.

Expert speakers at the workshop include Dr Eileen Scott, Dr Robert Beresford, Dr Katherine Evans, Dr Turner B Sutton, Dr Chris Steel, Dr Bob Emmett, Dr Robert Seem, Mr Peter Magarey and Dr Jacky Edwards.

"This will be the first time that such a broad range of experts in grapevine disease management have combined their skills to train grape growers," Mr Somers said.

"The workshop will help participants understand vine diseases and there effects on vineyards.

"It will give you the skills to monitor factors that effect vine health, diagnose problems, remedy problems and evaluate treatment programs.

"Participants will learn skills in effect of diseases on wine quality, including detailed information on Botrytis bunch rot, other fruit rot diseases, powdery mildew, downy mildew and soil health."

For more information and bookings contact Simone Fuller, (02) 6951 2544 or simone.fuller@dii.nsw.gov.au

Further reading

Grapes

Media contact: Tom Braz, 02 6391 3579, 0428 256 596