CCW Co-operative Ltd in Glossop | Winery/Vineyard

CCW Co-operative Ltd

Locality: Glossop

Phone: +61 8 8583 2286

Address: 9 Battams Road 5344 Glossop, SA, Australia

Website: www.ccwcoop.com.au/home

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25.01.2022 CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PRECAUTIONS

25.01.2022 HARVESTING ONE OF OUR TRIAL PATCHES Harvesting of one of the CCW NRM Soil Heath Project patches took place on Wednesday this week (19th February), at Tony Trezises vineyard, at Renmark South. The 16 project treatments were harvested; weighed; and samples taken for analysis.... The Soil Health Project has shown some exciting results and will give growers insights as to how best to improve the health of their soils, and improve long term sustainability of production. More to come......

24.01.2022 PIRSA Water Market Fundamentals Workshop Dear Member, We would like to make our members aware of a Water Market Fundamentals workshop (webinar) being held by PIRSA, on Wednesday, 20th May 2020.... We feel there may be some valuable information to be obtained from the workshop. PIRSA invitation below: Water Market Fundamentals how to make it work for you Primary Industries and Regions South Australia presents an online workshop designed to assist South Australian irrigators to gain confidence in successfully navigating the River Murray water market. This workshop will offer simple and practical strategies to assist irrigators in planning and achieving better outcomes for their businesses. The workshop will specifically focus on the South Australian water market and be delivered by independent water market experts Marsden Jacob Associates. The workshop will address fundamental concepts, terms and topics, including exploring wider market opportunities for buying and selling across the South Australian, New South Wales and Victorian water markets. Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 Time: 12.30pm 2.30pm ACST Location: Online webinar RSVP: Register to attend the event at: https://zoom.us//r/2615886656322/WN_o53m6cHnRGSdGERARj9alQ or contact Tarsha McGregor, Project Officer by phone on 0428 105 396. We look forward to welcoming you to this event.

24.01.2022 DRONE TECHNOLOGY - PRECISION VITICULTURE Our growers are now using modern technology to produce consistent yields of the highest quality grapes. The term for this is precision viticulture. Drones can play an important role in precision viticulture in rapidly mapping a vineyard, revealing many features about the vineyard not able to be seen from the ground or able to be seen at visible wavelengths.

24.01.2022 VINTAGE 2020 PROGRESS: The sun is going down on vintage 2020, as we have passed the half way mark of vintage now and hope to have everything all wrapped up by Easter.

21.01.2022 FROST CONTROL 101 Its time for the cover crops to go! With the new growing season starting, the risk of frost damage to shoots and crops is with us for the next two months. Melbourne Cup Day is usually regarded as the last day of frost risk. One of the ways that the frost risk can be reduced is to expose the soil to the warming rays of the sun. The heat stored in the soil during the day is released during the dark hours, reducing the likelihood of a frost developing. Standing cover crops shade the soil, reducing the amount of heat stored in the soil. So, theyve got to go. Pity. A lush green cover crop looks great!

20.01.2022 NATURE CAN BE AWESOME AS WELL! This amazing double rainbow was seen over a Renmark vineyard yesterday, after a few days of very welcome rain and some stormy weather. Rainbows can mean many things to many people, from simply representing the end of this period of rain, to offering a sign of good luck, hopefully with a pot of gold awaiting us at the end of the next harvest.

19.01.2022 ITS A RIPPING GOOD IDEA! I know we keep talking about soil health and its importance, but most growers understand this too. Soil compaction has become recognise...d as a serious problem in many soils, particularly under the wheel tracks of the heavy machines we use these days. Compaction limits water and nutrient infiltration into the soils, and reduces root growth. For many years after the introduction of drip irrigation, ripping almost became a forgotten practice. But, this year, sales of ripping equipment have sky rocketed. Let us know how you go.

19.01.2022 FROST MANAGEMENT Want better frost management options? Then consider spending 10 minutes to complete this survey for Elisha Oswald from the University of Melbourne. Click link to take survey : https://lnkd.in/g-7xbdG... Ellie is a student and is supervised by Sonja Needs. Sonja recently presented a great frost management webinar as part of the AWRI webinar series: Click link to view webinar: https://lnkd.in/gAMsWz9

19.01.2022 ONLY FOUR MONTHS 'TILL PICKING !! Unlike the CCW glory vine (all show, no go), many of the grape varieties are showing excellent crop potential, with a good budburst and high shoot fruitfulness. Fruitfulness is measured by the number and size of inflorescences (later to be called bunches) per shoot. This Chardonnay shoot has three bunches, as have a good percentage of other shoots. And, they are large in size. The high crop potential is only until the crop is harvested a...nd in the truck. And as the (slightly modified) old saying goes, there is a lot a water to pass under the bridge between now and then. Only four months to go! So far so good!

19.01.2022 The MOTHER-OF-ALL RIPPERS It seems like we have been banging on about rippers and ripping endlessly over the past months, but this machine has to be seen to be believed. Rash Koch of Koch Contractors has developed ripping equipment that not only rips the soil but is also able to inject large amounts of organic matter and other amendments into the rip line all in one pass. The equipment is mounted on a 260 horsepower tractor and has a 4m3 hopper. Very impressive to see it in operation as is squeezes its way up the vine rows. While this may be officially known as Deep Till Inclusion equipment, we think the name The Beast will stick.

18.01.2022 GET READY FOR HARVEST! Well, only 10 weeks to go for these Chardonnay grapes until they get harvested. These are some of the more advanced berries we have seen in the district, with berries 7-8mm in diameter, or growth stage EL 31, to use formal viticultural parlance. The CCW viti team look at the vine growth stages of the four same monitor vineyards every year, each week from budburst to Christmas. The vineyards are located in four sub-regions of the Riverland, from the warmer to cooler areas. This assessment allows us to see how the vine and grape development compares between seasons. So far, we are looking like starting harvest at the same time as last season. But, as we know, 10 weeks is a long time in viticulture.

17.01.2022 WE HAVE A DAY TOO! :) TOMORROW - 4TH JULY 2020 - "INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CO-OPERATIVES" Co-ops and mutuals are in the unique position of existing for the benefit of their members and their communities. We see strong leadership from this sector in terms of sustainability best practice because concern for community is a core principle of co-operation. #coopsday https://bccm.coop/co-ops-and-mutuals-leading-the-way-on-s/

17.01.2022 Vintage 2021 - Huge crop potential ! If the CCW glory vine is any indication, the crop potential is high for Riverland growers. We could be in for a big one. Our glory vine has on average 3.5 bunches per shoot. This one has 4! But, the glory vine is all show but no go. None of its potential is realised. At flowering, no pollination occurs, no fruit is formed, so there is no crop, that way we don't have to clean up the sticky mess from our pavers. ... Out in the vineyards the crop potential looks very good on the early varieties so far. For all our growers we hope that this potential is realised.

17.01.2022 Our CEO Sean Cole recently participated in a panel discussion talking about Co-operatives, as part of a project initiated by BCCM (Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals). Click on the link below to access the episode, along with other episodes focused solely on Co-ops! https://conversations.coopfarming.coop//episode-2-roundtab

17.01.2022 CCWs CEO Sean Cole speaks on 5RM about the current situation and outlook for wine. https://www.5rm.com.au//7642335-sean-c/5rm-breakfast-audio

17.01.2022 VINTAGE 2020 IN FULL SWING Our Kubota RTV has been very busy over the last few weeks, out and about, with our even busier viti officers, confirming baumes and checking out problem patches, to help our growers achieve the best possible outcomes and keep vintage intake moving.

16.01.2022 NOW IS THE TIME FOR SOIL TESTS A CCW Grower at Monash, this week, digging backhoe pits to perform a range of soil tests prior to planting new vines. Some of the tests included : - examining soil texture, ... - measuring soil water holding capacity, - pH, - salinity, - compacted soil layers, - soil dispersion and drainage potential. Results from some of the tests concluded that the soil at this site would be very responsive to an application of gypsum prior to planting. If you are interested in undertaking soil test/s, please contact the CCW office and speak to our viticultural officers.

15.01.2022 NOW THAT VINTAGE IS OVER, WE CAN TURN OUR ATTENTION TO OTHER MATTERS: Undervine cover crops were amongst the most successful of the seventeen treatments of the CCW-Landcare soil health project, over the last season. The cover crops increased the infiltration rate of irrigation water, reduced soil compaction and increased soil microbial activity. Over the past week, the CCW viticulture team have started preparing our two trial sites in readiness for sowing the cover crops for the second year of the project. Other autumn/winter treatments to be applied in the next two weeks include ripping and the surface application of organic matter and gypsum. We sincerely thank Omer Najar and Tony Trezise for their generosity in hosting the trials and the time they spend helping us conduct the trials.

15.01.2022 COVER CROPS The cereal farmers are not the only ones planting crops furiously after 40-70mm of glorious rain over the past few weeks. Many of our CCW growers are also making the most of the best autumn break in years and are now out planting cover crops. These crops have many benefits; add organic matter to the soil, reduce compaction, can add nitrogen to the soil, and help keep the vineyard cooler in summer.

14.01.2022 CCW is pleased to announce that we have opened our doors again! We would like to let all of our members know that CCW is here for you during this time and it is business as usual at CCW. We are of course practicing social distancing and observing strict hygiene practices. ... With the COVID-19 restrictions easing a little, even the orchids got a bit of an outing.

14.01.2022 NOT FLASHBACK FRIDAY - THIS HAPPENED TODAY: This is the way all grapes used to be picked by hand! There is very little hand picking of grapes in the Riverland anymore, for very good reasons. Machine harvesting is far cheaper and faster. But, John Liakos prefers the traditional way, and hand picks most of his crop, at 5-10 tonnes a day. The winery booking staff are very accommodating, allowing patches to be scheduled into the winery in small loads over a number of days.

13.01.2022 WINTER IS UPON US AND ITS TIME TO PRUNE The leaves have now fallen and the vines have now entered their long winter sleep, called dormancy. During the winter months of dormancy, one of the most critical operations of the year takes place pruning. The vines are pruned to regulate vine crop potential of the following season and control the distribution of the fruit. The wild and unruly growth of the past season is removed by the pruning operation, leaving rows of manicured vines enjoying their long winter sleep.

12.01.2022 SPRAYING, AND MORE SPRAYING! The rhythm of spring for a grape grower is usually dictated by the 10-14 day spraying cycle. Our vineyards require regular applications of products designed to protect against the dreaded mildew twins, downy and powdery. All other vineyard or family activities are fitted in around the need to protect the vines and crop. This spring has been different, with the spraying cycle being determined more by mother nature. ... Spraying has been fitted in when the wind drops below gale force, the rain is not falling, or the ground is not so wet the equipment gets bogged. Tough year so far.

11.01.2022 "GRAND PERIOD OF GROWTH" After budburst, vine shoots grow slowly at first, depending for growth on nutrients stored in the vine before the winter dormancy. As air and soil temperatures increase, the vine roots start to grow, usually three to four weeks after budburst. Once the leaves start producing sugars and the roots start growing, shoot growth rates start to accelerate into a period impressively known as the grand period of growth. We are in this stage now, with shoots appearing to grow before our eyes. This period continues through flowering and pollination until the end of fruit set. After the fruit has set, the rates of shoot growth slow (or should slow) so the vine can concentrate of the fruit development side of their business.

11.01.2022 FROST CONTROL 101 It’s time for the cover crops to go! With the new growing season starting, the risk of frost damage to shoots and crops is with us for the next two months. Melbourne Cup Day is usually regarded as the last day of frost risk. One of the ways that the frost risk can be reduced is to expose the soil to the warming rays of the sun. The heat stored in the soil during the day is released during the dark hours, reducing the likelihood of a frost developing. Standing cover crops shade the soil, reducing the amount of heat stored in the soil. So, they’ve got to go. Pity. A lush green cover crop looks great!

10.01.2022 CALIBRATING THE SPRAYER AND STAYING DRY! The annual calibration of spray equipment is a necessary and important job for grape growers. Calibrating the equipment ensures the correct amount of chemical is applied not too much, not too little. It also allows worn-out nozzles to be identified and replaced if necessary. Calibration can a wet job, but the use of poly-pipes on each nozzle can make the job not only fast but also dry. Looks like an octopus! ... Unfortunately, as happened often this week, a shower of rain occurred during the calibration and we got wet anyway!

09.01.2022 JUST ONE MORE RIPPER! WE PROMISE Well the field days have been cancelled and gadget days are long gone, but this hasnt stopped inventive Riverlanders from solving problems and finding solutions. We just need other ways of showcasing the talent we have. After weeks of head scratching, frustrations and modifications, Stiven Ludas has finally got his customised ripper/organic matter incorporation machine working perfectly. And, doesnt he look happy, as he should be.... Check out the video: https://youtu.be/ZQXylHD_-Z0

08.01.2022 ON YOUR MARC - LET THE SPREADING BEGIN! Manure and grape marc. Piles of the stuff. It seems that every road in the Riverland has been lined with it. Now, the job of spreading the thousands of tonnes of organic matter has started, with spreaders distributing it through many of our vineyards. The word has got out how important organic matter is to the health of the soil and the vines. The CCW soil health project is starting to make a difference.

08.01.2022 TESTING SOILS FOR COMPACTION Soil compaction under drip irrigation is one of the biggest limitations to vine health, production, and water and fertiliser use-efficiency. Compaction is mainly caused by vineyard traffic, and we are now using heavier and wider machines than before. The practices that in the past were commonly used to break up compacted soils had become a rarity. Until now. Many more growers have purchased rippers, sown cover crops, and spread gypsum and organic ...matter this year than for many years. The CCW-Landcare soil health project has stimulated renewed interest in soil health, and a recognition that the health of the soil is central to vine health and productivity. The CCW viti team have been conducting many soil health assessments, including the degree of compaction. The use of a data logging sonic penetrometer can locate compacted soils, provide a guide to where and to what depth the soil should be ripped, and compare the soil resistance before and after ripping. See more

07.01.2022 VINTAGE INTAKE 2020 - OFFICIALLY FINISHED! Hooray! Shut the gates. The harvest of 2020 finished today, (9th April) with the 7,894th load of quality CCW grapes arriving on the 58th day of crushing. The vintage went as smoothly as a vintage can, but concludes a very difficult season, with a hail storm, frosts, heatwaves and high-priced water. ... As we always do, we will move on and plan for the next season. VINTAGE 2020 INTAKE - THE END.

07.01.2022 SPRING HAS SPRUNG EARLY!? We have been getting lots of reports of vines starting to bleed, buds starting to move and even budburst. The almond and stone fruit growers seem to think this is an early season, so will it be the same for grapevines? ... The first week of September is usually when budburst occurs in early varieties in the warmer areas of the Riverland. The date of budburst over the past 30 years has not varied much at all. Could this year be an exception? Probably not.

06.01.2022 CCW continues to celebrate its members, with another short member video biography being unveiled at the CCW Annual General Meeting, held on Tuesday,8th September, at the Riverland Field Day site. This one is of Jim Giaghias, one of our long standing members, from Barmera. We thank Jim for sharing his story. https://youtu.be/0jPN7XbqV7g

06.01.2022 COVER CROPS Despite the very dry winter, some growers have managed to produce excellent cover crops, particularly if sown early after the good rains of autumn and/or if assisted by sprinkler irrigation. This cover crop spans nearly the entire width of the row, producing a very large amount of organic matter to be thrown under the vines to form a mulch. And, the roots of the cover crop have been shown in the CCW soil health project to dramatically increase the water infiltration rate, by providing pathways through the soil. The roots also can increase the soil organic carbon content and the activity of valuable soil micro-organisms. This cover crop will be slashed before budburst and the onset of the frost risk period.

05.01.2022 VINTAGE 2020 CONTINUES FULL SPEED AHEAD........ Delivery number 5,545 into the Berri Estates winery. Each load into the winery is weighed, then sampled for sugar, colour and a number of other parameters, then sent to the crusher for processing.

04.01.2022 A NEW SIGN ON THE HORIZON! In line with CCWs rebranding strategy launched in 2019, CCW now has new signage at our Glossop HQ! Thanks to Larry Signs & Tinting for the production and install. https://www.facebook.com/larrysignsloxton/

04.01.2022 REMINDER: - ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - The Annual General Meeting of CCW Co-operative Limited is to be held on Tuesday, 8th September 2020, at 10.00am, at the Ri...verland Field Day Site, Exhibition Pavilion. PLEASE REGISTER YOUR INTENTION TO ATTEND, BY CALLING VOULA ON 8583 2286, SO WE CAN ENSURE A QUORUM FOR THE MEETING. ALL COVID-19 requirements will be in place for everyones safety. We would like to see as many shareholders that can make it to the meeting.

03.01.2022 RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY - AT LEAST UNTIL APRIL ! We’re all a bit fed up with these regular rainfall events. Non-stop spraying, never knowing whether we are spraying before or after a disease infection. And, the radar shows another one on the way. Lots of yellow and red colours in this one, and warnings from the BOM of potential floods and thunderstorms (no plague of locusts, so that’s good ). If they could just fall on the catchment areas and fill the dams, we would be happy. But, such is life on the land. It’s a great life in most respects, but we are fully exposed to the whims and vicissitudes of mother nature. We take what we are given, good or bad.

03.01.2022 HARVESTING THE OTHER TRIAL PATCH Today we harvested the other CCW/NRM soil management trial patch. - The Shiraz patch at Omer Najars, Monash property -... As mentioned when harvesting the other site, the Soil Health Project has shown some exciting results and will give growers insights as to how best to improve the health of their soils, and improve long term sustainability of production. More to come......

03.01.2022 NOW IS THE TIME TO ADDRESS SOIL HEALTH: Piles and piles of animal manures, grape marc and gypsum are appearing on the headlands of vineyards around the Riverland. Soil health is now regarded by growers as essential for healthy, productive vines. A simple equation: unhealthy soil = unhealthy, unproductive vines. The addition of organic matter from sources such as manures, grape marc and cover crops, and ripping and gypsum application, all have a role in improving the health of our soils.

01.01.2022 Holler for a marshal! a COVID marshal / CCW AGM - 08/09/2020 Our highly trained COVID marshal, Voula, was on hand at the CCW AGM this week, to make sure that we all obeyed regulations concerning large gatherings. And now to serious business...... The CCW AGM was held on Tuesday, at the Riverland Field Day Site, and we had a good turnout considering the COVID awareness situation we are living in at the moment. The Chairman, and CEO gave insightful presentations.... We also continue to celebrate our members, with another short member video biography being unveiled - this one is of Jim Giaghias, one of our long standing members, from Barmera. We thank Jim for sharing his story. See the video here: https://youtu.be/0jPN7XbqV7g We thank all who attended.