A new six-year research project will aim to improve the productivity of Australia’s dried grape industry.

The Dried Grape Production Systems project is led by Dried Fruits Australia and funded by Hort Innovation through Dried Grape Fund levies and matching Commonwealth contributions.

It will be run in collaboration with SuniTAFE SMART Farm.

The project aims to improve productivity/yield of dried grapes by comparing the performance of different climate change-ready varieties on different trellis systems.

DFA chair Mark King said the project signalled a great step forward for the dried fruit industry.

“DFA is once again looking to the future of the industry and what trellis system and varieties will give growers the best opportunities to increase returns,” he said.

The goal is to identify the most profitable production system for the industry.

The project is worth nearly $900,000 over six years.

The trial will be established on a 1-ha site at the SuniTAFE SMART Farm.

Input/output data will be collected throughout the project to allow economic modelling of each system and a clear indication of cost/benefit to transition to suitable dried grape production systems.

The project team will work toward providing best practice recommendations to producers and future investors throughout the project.

SuniTAFE Senior Manager – SMART Farm Campus Matt Wilson said the Cardross SMART Farm sought to demonstrate industry best management practice as well as innovative new directions in different commodity crops.

The SMART Farm Campus also provides leading education and training in the Sunraysia region of Victoria to strive to fill workforce gaps impacting the horticulture sector and to direct the farm training model towards SMART Farming.

The team at SuniTAFE is well-placed to support this new project, with farm manager Kevin Sharman having a wealth of experience in the dried grape industry.

Kevin has been at the SMART Farm for 21 years, grew up on a dried fruit property, and has received awards for dried grape quality through both Dried Fruits Australia and Sunbeam.

SuniTAFE will manage the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the site and contribute to the Project Reference Group while working with the project officer on the observations and vine performance measurements being conducted.

“There may also be an opportunity to link in with student training into the future, so we can encourage more emerging leaders to look at the dried fruits industry as a potential career path,” Matt said.

“Of all the commodity crops grown at the property, it’s probably been the most consistent in regards to financial returns over the years.”

Dried Fruits Australia will soon coordinate field walks at the site for the broader industry to learn more about the project.