Riverina vignerons to hear mulch benefits and taste the difference

NSW Department of Primary Industries research scientist, Dr Yin Chan, inspects mulch at a recent workshop based on his research in NSW vineyards.

Local winegrape growers will have the opportunity to get the low-down on vineyard mulch when the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) present findings from a three-year research project.

Presented in conjunction with the Riverina Wine Grape Marketing Board, the seminar will be held on Wednesday, August 27 at the NSW DPI Centre for Irrigated Agriculture, Murray Road, Griffith from 1.00 pm until 3.30 pm.

NSW DPI research scientist, Yin Chan, said the composting mulch trial funded by DECC was conducted on six vineyards, both conventional and organic, in the Cowra, Canowindra and Murrumbateman areas.

“The trial compared berry yield and quality, water usage, weed control and wine quality from two mulch treatments with the grower’s standard practice," Dr Chan said.

Trial data and cost benefit analysis results will be presented by NSW DPI researchers Dr Yin Chan and Darren Fahey from the Department’s recycling unit based at Richmond.

There will also be a mulch versus no-mulch wine taste-off.

Growers will be able to rate the 2007 trial vintage of wine produced from mulch-treated and no-mulch vines.

DECC senior project officer, Annie Kavanagh, and a representative from Compost NSW will be on-hand to discuss composting processes and commercial products.

Light refreshments will be served and growers are requested to register their interest in attending the event with Jason Cappello, 6962 3944 or jcappello@wgmb.net.au by Thursday, August 21.

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