Irrigation is a key production input in Australian viticulture, essential to achieving yield and quality targets. Supporting growers to optimise the application of the irrigation water they have available is key to the ongoing sustainability of the Australian wine industry. The AWRI, in collaboration with Wine Australia and the inland irrigated wine-growing regions of Australia, has embarked on a practice change project to improve irrigation efficiency.
In an effort to identify the key issues/opportunities relating to irrigation efficiency in the inland irrigated regions, 180 growers in the Riverina, Murray Valley and Riverland regions were surveyed in November 2021 about their current and planned irrigation practices. This group represented 12.2% of the total number of growers in the inland irrigated regions, 11.4% of the total planted area and 11.6% of the total tonnes harvested in vintage 2020.
Results from the survey are presented in the following report: AWRI Irrigation Efficiency and Practice Change Survey Report 2021.
A number of resources will be developed to promote the adoption of best practice irrigation management to improve irrigation efficiency. These resources will be made available on the water management page of the AWRI website as they are completed. For more information about this project, contact the AWRI helpdesk on helpdesk@awri.com.au or (08) 8313 6600.
This practice change project is supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funding from the Australian Government.