Clare Valley EcoVineyards ground covers seminar and hydroseeding demo

National EcoVineyards Program: vineyard ground covers seminar and hydroseeding demonstration

Join agroecologist/viticulturist Dr Mary Retallack, Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd and Regional On-ground Coordinator, Emma McInerney, Ag Excellence Alliance who will host a National EcoVineyards ground covers seminar and hydroseeding demonstration.

We are delighted to welcome our special guest presenters:

Jade Killoran, Healthy Farming Systems will provide lots of practical tips and share her experiences on the use of multispecies cover crops in vineyards (including key functional groups) and ways to create dynamic agroecological systems.

Dan Falkenberg, Eden Hall Wines will share his practical knowledge of native grass/forb seed establishment and potential for value adding cash crops.

Mark Stidwill, PGG Wrightson’s Seeds are a leading supplier of ground cover seed and DuraVeg products (which are used for hydroseeding).

Gordon Phipps, LCS Environmental will demonstrate hydroseeding in the vineyard.

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📆 Date and time: 8.30 am, Tuesday 28 May 2024

📍 Location: The Vale Community Centre, Main Road, Watervale SA

(followed by Skillogalee, 45 Travarrick Road, Spring Gully SA)

🍱 Food provided: Morning tea and lunch

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• 8.30 to 8.45 am: Registration and tea/coffee

• 8.45 to 9.30 am: Mary Retallack, Retallack Viticulture: Introduction and overview of ground covers and an update from ROC, Emma McInerney

• 9.30 to 10.30 am: Jade Killoran, Healthy Farming Systems: Establishing multispecies cover crops and creating dynamic agroecological systems
• 10.30 to 11 am: Morning tea
• 11 am to 12 pm: Dan Falkenberg, Eden Hall Vineyard: Native grass/forb seed establishment and potential for value adding cash crops
• 12 to 12.30 pm: Mark Stidwill, PGG Wrightson’s Turf: Introduction to hydroseeding and products
• 12.30 to 1.15 pm: Lunch
• 1.15 to 1.30 pm: Transit to Skillogalee, 45 Trevarrick Road, Spring Gully SA
• 1.30 to 3 pm: Gordon Phipps, LCS Environmental: Hydroseeding presentation and vineyard demonstration

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Dr Mary Retallack, Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd, National EcoVineyards Program Manager

Mary is an agroecologist/viticulturist with nearly 30 years of practical experience within Australia and overseas. She manages the National EcoVineyards Program and will be your host for each event along with the local Regional On-ground Coordinator (ROC).

Emma McInerney, Regional On-ground Coordinator (ROC)

As the AgExcellence Alliance Climate Smart Facilitator, Emma is constantly engaged with landholders, groups and stakeholders on ideas, projects and funding to improve understanding and adoption of sustainable agriculture.

Jade Killoran, Healthy Farming Systems

Jade has been researching multi-species cover crops in livestock systems across Victoria over the past decade and will be joining us to discuss how and why multi-species mixes can be beneficial in vineyards, including functional diversity benefits, nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, biomass production, compaction amelioration, managing wet areas, drought hardy species, forage for sheep, and insectary species.

Dan Falkenberg, Eden Hall Wines

Dan is the Viticulturist for Eden Hall Wines where he has helped pioneer the establishment of native grasses and forbs in the mid-row and under vine areas of vineyards. Dan will provide lots of practical tips and insights, what works well and pitfalls to avoid.

Mark Stidwill, PGG Wrightson’s Seeds

Mark Stidwill, Revegetation Manager PGG Wrightson Turf DuraVeg has been in the turf and environmental rehab industry for more than 30 years, and has a focus on revegetation, advising on soil management, species selection and the application of seed.

Gordon Phipps, LCS Environmental

LCS Environmental are among the few accredited companies in SA that offer hydroseeding using endemic species and their fleet of hydroseeding trucks are specially modified for applying native seeds to ensure a high germination rate with confidence.

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Who should attend?

This seminar and field event is recommended to wine growers with an interest in practical ways to establish and maintain multi-species ground covers, improve soil health and the resilience of their vineyard.

Would you like to learn more about:

- The potential of hydroseeding in vineyards?

- Breaking the cycle of intervention?

- Potential cash crops to increase vineyard income?

- How to grow the resilience of your vineyard and future proof production?

- Ways to save time and resources in a constrained environment?

- Improving water infiltration, water holding capacity and plant available nutrients?

Come along and find out more!

We have developed a suite of best practice management guides on soil health and ground covers in Australian vineyards and a link will be made available at the events.

Register

If you would like to attend this FREE event, please register via the National EcoVineyards Program Eventbrite page, and include any dietary requirements.

Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear suitable footware for the biosecurity foot bath.

Solicitation

If your primary reason for attending this event is to solicit business, we would respectfully request that this this is not the appropriate forum for this activity.

More information

For more information, contact Nikki Zorzi, Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd and National EcoVineyards Program, Executive Assistant at admin@ecovineyards.com.au or ‭0422 290 967‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬.

Acknowledgements

The national EcoVineyards program is funded by Wine Australia with levies from Australia’s grape growers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government. The program is delivered by Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd with significant support from regional communities.