Yarra 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, Karen Thomas, Melbourne Water, who will host a National EcoVineyards ground covers seminar and hydroseeding demonstration.

We are delighted to welcome our special guest presenters:

Kate Hill, Flora Victoria will share her knowledge and experience in establishing native grasses/forbs and insights for Victorian vineyards.

George Tothill and Brendan O'Hara, PGG Wrightson’s Seeds are a leading supplier of ground cover seed and DuraVeg products (which are used for hydroseeding).

Brendan will share his experiences with hydroseeding low growing native grasses, Poa imbecilla, Stewart’s Slender Poa in the undervine area in NZ and the potential for this technology in Australian vineyards.

Mason Hydroseeding will demonstrate hydroseeding in the vineyard.

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📆 Date and time: 8.30 am, Monday 13 May 2024

📍 Location: Chandon, 727 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream, VIC

🍱 Food provided: Morning tea and lunch

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Program

• 8.30 to 8.45 am: Registration and tea/coffee
• 8.45 to 9.15 am: Mary Retallack, Retallack Viticulture: New information on soil health and ground covers for Australian vineyards
• 9.15 to 9.30 am: ROC Karen Thomas, Melbourne Water: Updates on goats for woody weed control and SPLAT technology
• 9.30 to 10.15 am: Kate Hill, Flora Victoria: Native forbs for use in Victorian vineyards
• 10.15 to 10.45 am: Morning tea
• 10.45 to 11.45 am: George Tothill and Brendan O’Hara, PGG Wrightson’s Turf: Introduction to hydroseeding, product selection, sharing NZ experiences and practical insights
• 11.45 am to 1.15 pm: David Mason, Mason Hydroseeding: Hydroseeding presentation and vineyard demonstration
• 1.15 to 1.45 pm: Lunch

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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).

Karen Thomas, Regional On-ground Coordinator (ROC)

Karen is a Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator (SAF) with Melbourne Water and has a Bachelor in Ecological Agriculture and Diploma in Conservation Land Management. Integrating these qualifications for managing NRM in productive landscapes is the focus of Karen’s work and passion. Karen has been working in sustainable agriculture for over 25 years.

Kate Hill, Flora Victoria

Kate is a direct seeding consultant, project manager and land management specialist and has been working at Flora Victoria since 2009.

George Tothill, PGG Wrightson’s Seeds

George has 40 years in the seed industry, and 24 in the turf and revegetation industry in both New Zealand and Australia.

Brendan O'Hara, PGG Wrightson's Seeds (New Zealand)

Brendon is the Territory Manager for PGG Wrightson’s Turf and services the top of New Zealand’s South Island, consulting on turf management, revegetation and supplying the horticultural industry across New Zealand with vineyard-specific seed blends.

David Mason, Mason Hydroseeding

Mason Hydroseeding is an Australian owned business specialising in domestic and commercial jobs. We hydroseed throughout Victoria and can accommodate a large range of jobs from the humble backyard to sports ovals and landfill projects. With over 15 years of experience, we have the expertise to help you grow the grass you need.

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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.