News

Dried fruits industry releases 'best practice' guide

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 06:01:00

Dried Fruits Australia has released a new dried grape production guide in the lead up to harvest, as part of a project to maximize the quality of dried grape production.

The Dried Grape Best Practice Guide is the first part of a series of publications to guide growers in “best practice” for their production decisions throughout the season.The initial guide to be released today focusses on the pre-harvest and harvest production phase.
“Obviously already this season we have seen some enormous challenges with the weather – and unfortunately it seems now that almost every season growers are presented with difficult production decisions of one sort or another,” said DFA Chairman Mark King.
“These guides will outline the current recommended best-practice in relation to the key decision-making for each season.  In this instance, on pre-harvest preparation, trellis drying and the actual harvest operation,” he said.
“Later guides will capture the best-practice elements of other phases in the production cycle and, again, will be distributed to growers at those points throughout the year.”
The information in the guide has been prepared with the input of a growers’ working group, including respected Merbein South grower Ivan Shaw. 
“Dried Fruits Australia has already produced a ‘Dried Grape Production Manual’ and a separate spray diary that provide very detailed information for growers as a basis for their production decisions,” Mr Shaw said.
“These new guides are really a hand summary of the best practice elements of each production phase, that will allow growers to maximize the quality of the fruit they produce.
“They’re an easy-to-read snapshot of key production elements and practices – and growers can go back to the production manual or spray diary to get more detailed information if they want to.”
The Pre Harvest and Harvest Guide will be distributed to growers early next week by processors Sunbeam Foods and Australian Premium Dried Fruits.
The information in the guides is based largely on industry knowledge and experience, as well as a review of recent literature and research by former Senior Research Scientist in Horticulture at DEPI Mildura, Dr Karl Sommer.  The project is funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the dried grape industry levy and funds from the Australian Government.
Dried Fruits Australia will release the Dried Grape Best Practice Guide Part 1 at an industry launch at midday Friday January 16.