Orange 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, Brent Hutton 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.

Tim Berryman, Cumberland Plain Seeds will share his practical knowledge and tips for incorporating native grasses and forbs in and around vineyards.

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

Dan and Mick Curran, Ecoscape Solutions will demonstrate hydroseeding in the vineyard.

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📆 Date and time: 8.30 am, Thursday 9 May 2024

📍 Location: See Saw Wines, 42 Lake Canobolas Road, Nashdale, NSW

🍱 Food provided: Morning tea and lunch

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Program

• 8.30 to 8.45 am: Registration and tea/coffee
• 8.45 to 9.30 am: Mary Retallack, Retallack Viticulture: New information on ground covers for Australian vineyards and an update from ROC, Brent Hutton
• 9.30 to 10.30 am: Jade Killoran, Healthy Farming Systems: Creating multispecies cover crops and dynamic agroecological systems
• 10.30 to 11 am: Morning tea
• 11am to 12 pm: Tim Berryman, Cumberland Plain Seeds Pty Ltd: Native grasses and forbs for NSW Vineyards
• 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 2.45 pm: Dan and Mick Curran, Ecoscape Solutions: 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).

Brent Hutton, Regional On-ground Coordinator (ROC)

Brent is a dynamic viticulturist based in Pokolbin, NSW. He is renowned for his comprehensive expertise in vineyard management. Brent’s commitment to regenerative viticulture is exemplified by successful initiatives in under vine cover crops and innovative biodiversity management.

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.

Tim Berryman, Cumberland Plain Seeds

Tim has practiced ecological restoration of native grasslands and grassy woodlands for 30 years. He is the owner and founder of Cumberland Plain Seeds P/L, a small ecological restoration business working on the Cumberland Plain and in the Hunter Valley. They supply native seed and using direct seeding and assisted regeneration techniques to conserve and restore grassy woodlands on degraded lands. Tim has developed field techniques and plant agronomy insights for establishing these endangered plant communities on a range of lands over an extended period of time.

Mark Stidwill, PGG Wrightson’s Seeds

Mark 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.

Dan and Mick Curran, Ecoscape Solutions

Dan Curran is a qualified landscaper with 20 years experience across many sectors. Dan became a founding Director of Ecoscape Solutions in 2010 with his brother Mick. His vast experience in the agricultural, mining and civil sectors provides his clients with a strong foundation in understanding their landscape and helping achieve results.

Mick Curran is a qualified horticulturist with almost 20 years experience around the Central West. Ecoscape Solutions specialises in Revegetation and Erosion Control, and in this role Mick has worked across hundreds of sites with large clients all across NSW, helping their customers create improved landscapes through better understanding and sound landscape practices.

Dan and Mick will demonstrate hydroseeding in the vineyard.

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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.