Dried Fruits Australia in Mildura, Victoria | Agricultural service

Dried Fruits Australia

Locality: Mildura, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5023 5174

Address: 54 Lemon Avenue 3500 Mildura, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.driedfruitsaustralia.org.au/

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25.01.2022 It's almost time for the dried grape processors' annual update. Join us on 21 October at 4pm to hear Sunbeam Foods, Australian Premium Dried Fruits and Murray River Organics discuss the 2020 harvest, new marketing initiatives and other company news. This is the third online event in DFA's We're Growing Live series. Get the event link here: www.driedfruitsaustralia.org.au

24.01.2022 Growers, have you got your new season spray diary? Don't forget to check the diary before you reach for your usual fungicide, herbicide or pesticide as some chemicals previously approved for use have been deleted. DFA members should now be receiving their diaries in the mail. Non-members can contact us to order one and it will be posted out to you. Give us a call on 03 5023 5174 or email [email protected].

24.01.2022 The Premier of New South Wales has announced a further easing of restrictions for border communities. Gladys Berejiklian told the media this morning a number o...f towns will be included in the border bubble on the Victorian and New South Wales border and hundreds of permits will be allowed for agriculture workers for the upcoming harvest season. "There will be an easing of what border communities can do given the easing of restrictions in regional Victoria," Ms Berejiklian said today. It's understood regional communities within the NSW/Victoria border bubble will be able to do activities including dining, travel, sport and recreational activities in NSW that are similar to the relaxing of restrictions for regional Victoria that come into affect at midnight. The NSW health order will be updated today with the new rules to be implemented in the coming week. We'll keep you updated when we know more.

23.01.2022 A dry winter can be more of an irrigation problem than previously thought, with a new study finding reduced rain is associated with reduced grape yields. Knowing your relative soil moisture is critical to managing irrigation application all season. To help with this, DFA is running an online session on the use of Green Brain soil moisture monitoring. Phil Grahame from Ruralco Water will also provide an update on the water market, while Jeremy Giddings from Agriculture Victori...a will be on hand to answer your tricky irrigation questions. The online event will be held on Thursday 13 August from 4pm to 5.30pm. To register, contact Stuart Putland at [email protected].

22.01.2022 Thinking about going into business with someone else or just want to know what farmer collaboration is all about? Grab a cuppa and check out this online event with collaborative farming innovator and advocate, Bulla Burra's John Gladigau. The next event in DFA's We're Growing Live series is coming up on 21 October. Join the Facebook event to learn more: Harvest 2020

21.01.2022 Growers should now have their hands on the new Vine magazine. Quarterly news for the dried fruits and table grape industries, the Vine features the latest in research and development, best practice, biosecurity, technology, marketing and much more. Check out the August edition right here

21.01.2022 Your final Vine magazine for the year is out now! Growers should now be receiving the November edition in the mail. But for anyone who wants to read it now, the digital edition is available here: https://bit.ly/vinenovember2020 This edition looks at a new dried grape investment modelling program, the latest industry insights, benchmarking results, the new dried grape evaluation project and much more.

20.01.2022 The Victorian Government has announced that the following statewide restrictions will be reintroduced from 11:59pm tonight, 3 February: The limit on the numbe...r of people gathering in a household will be reduced from 30 to 15, meaning the household members plus 15 visitors (excluding children under 12 months of age). Masks will be mandatory in public indoor spaces. If you have visitors in your home, it is strongly recommended that masks are worn during the visit. Masks must be worn in indoor public spaces apart from when eating or drinking. The 75 per cent ‘return to work’ cap in both public and private sectors scheduled for Monday 8 February will be paused and the current cap of 50% will remain in place. Read more here: https://www.abc.net.au//victoria-reintroduces-cor/13119132

18.01.2022 The latest Currant News is out now. This edition looks at the demand for new vines, controlling late-season botrytis and much more. Read it here: https://mailchi.mp/driedfruitsaustralia/currantnews12feb2021

18.01.2022 Got any questions for your processors? Join us for today's discussion with Sunbeam Foods, Australian Premium Dried Fruits and Murray River Organics on the 2020 harvest. Get the link to the Microsoft Teams meeting in the event below

16.01.2022 The latest edition of Currant News is out now. This newsletter includes tips for filling out your spray diary, soil moisture monitoring with Green Brain, your smart farming library and more. Read it and subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/driedfruitsaustr/currantnews28august2020

16.01.2022 Here's a sneak peek at the August Vine magazine, launching very soon

14.01.2022 Thinking of planting new vines? Growers and nurseries are reporting strong demand this year for grafted vines across a range of dried fruit varieties. Speak with your nursery operator as soon as you can after harvest so they can get enough bud wood cut this winter for the varieties you want.... This is your best option to ensure vines are successfully grafted over summer next year and are ready for planting in 2022.

14.01.2022 Join us tomorrow for the final event in our We're Growing Live series. Rachael McClintock from Sheehan Genetics will be talking about new dried grape varieties and her observations on DFA’s 10 Tonne Project. If you missed the first three events, they're up on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0YH4NFH8Jxh1pJoMu493

13.01.2022 The start of a new growing season is an ideal time to refresh your knowledge of what to do if you spot an unusual plant pest on your property. Plant Health Australia provides a range of fantastic free short courses. You can check them out here: www.planthealthaustralia.com.au//biosecurity-online-traini

13.01.2022 Interested in joining the DFA board? Three producer positions will be elected at the AGM on 27 November. To be considered, get your nomination in by tomorrow (Friday 6 November) at 5pm. Contact us for more information: (03) 5023 5174 or [email protected]

13.01.2022 We know dried grapes are full of natural goodness, and soon we'll know all of their scientifically proven health benefits. You can read all about the research project DFA is undertaking with the University of South Australia in the latest issue of the Vine magazine. Check out the story below and read the full August edition here: https://bit.ly/vineaugust2020

12.01.2022 IMPORTANT NEWS FOR VIC GROWERS From this week, Victorian businesses with more than five employees are required to have a COVID Safe Plan in place. Employers must complete their plan by 11:59pm tomorrow, Friday 7 August. Information and templates to help you create a plan are available on the Business Victoria website ... DFA recommends that all Victorian businesses have a COVID Safe Plan regardless of size, while growers in other states should prepare their own version of a COVID-19 safety plan.

11.01.2022 The 11 September edition of Currant News is out now. Read it here https://mailchi.mp/driedfruitsaustral/currantnews11sept2020

11.01.2022 100 years ago today - "Cultus" from The Weekly Times reported on how the Red Cliffs land was being developed for the soldier settlers. He wrote "at present ther...e are 300 men engaged at Red Cliffs clearing the blocks ...the timber that will be saved and stored for future use as fencing, trellising and building material... from the stored piles of serviceable timber the settlers will be supplied with their requirements at cost price." "When the land has been cleared it will be furnished with concrete channels, along which water for irrigation will run and be delivered at the boundary of each block. The settler himself will be required to do the necessary fencing, grading, channelling, planting, and trellising, on the block allotted to him. From the time vines are planted until returns begin to come in it usually takes three years." "Provision is being made at Red Cliffs, a rich tract of land within 10 miles of Mildura, for the settlement of 1000 soldiers on irrigated blocks, ranging in to 15 acres, with the object of producing raisins, currants, other kinds of dried fruits such as peaches, apricots, figs, nectarines, and pears, table grapes, and stoned varieties of fruits that may be marketed in a fresh, ripe condition. Various branches of intense cultivation, will, no doubt, engage attention/ but the cultivation of vines suitable for an extensive out put of raisins and currants is to be the main objective." "Almost every acre of the land that has been secured for soldier settlement at Red Cliffs, through which the Melbourne to Mildura railway runs, is fertile, and superior to anything that has been successfully cultivated on the 12,000 acres which constitutes the Mildura settlement. The value of Red Cliffs was not overlooked by Chaffey Brothers when they launched the first extensive irrigation project along the river Murray. Although the land at Red Cliffs was considered more suitable for intense cultivation, than the heavier deposits at Mildura, the banks of the river at the latter place were found to be not as high as were those at Red Cliffs. On that account a determination in favor of Mildura was compulsory, for the reason that pumping machinery was then not sufficiently powerful to lift the water from the river, to a height of 105 feet, that conditions at Red Cliffs demanded." "Under the liberal purchase conditions that are to operate, the irrigated blocks at Red Cliffs may be regarded as so many tangible gifts that are to be distributed among returned soldiers who can satisfy members of a board, which will be appointed, that they are capable of carrying on satisfactory work. It is believed that there will be enough irrigable land at Red Cliffs for all the soldier settlers with qualification certificates, when the blocks have been cleared and made ready for the reception of vines and trees." "The acquirement of the necessary pumps and machinery is being proceeded with, and while there is some difficulty in procuring suitable appliances, it is thought that effective pumping plants will be in operation for the distribution of irrigation water before August, 1921. By that time the planting of some of the blocks will be undertaken, and there will be facilities to keep the soil desirably moist through the dry months. At present there are 300 men engaged at Red Cliffs clearing the blocks. This work is being done under the supervision of the Water Commission, and it is expected to cost 4 an acre. The actual expenditure may be 12 an acre, but the value of the timber that will be saved and stored for future use as fencing, trellising and building material will amount to an average of 8 an acre. From the stored piles of serviceable timber the settlers will be supplied with their requirements at cost price." "When the land has been cleared it will be furnished with concrete channels, along which water for irrigation will run and be delivered at the boundary of each block. The settler himself will be required to do the necessary fencing, grading, channelling, planting, and trellising, on the block allotted to him. From the time vines are planted until returns begin to come in it usually takes three years. Light crops may be gathered in the second year after raisin and currant vines are planted. While the cost of the land and the liberal terms of payment leave nothing to be desired, it is doubtful whether the Federal advance of 625 to each soldier settler will be sufficient to carry him along until the profitable stage from vines and trees is reached." "A nursery is being established at Red Cliffs, under the supervision of Mr. Grossman, on behalf of the Water Commission. Suitable varieties of trees and vines will be raised, and settlers will obtain them at the lowest possible rates. Over 2,000,000 plants are being propagated, and these will be ready for next season's distribution. It is considered that there will be no necessity to go outside the Government nursery for supplies. Generally it may be said that Red Cliffs is being developed on sound lines." More of the story: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/222586486 The photo is of Arthur Martin clearing Block 332. It was donated by Norma Dean to Museums Victoria. Arthur was born in Glenferrie (Melbourne) in 1896, and became a clerk for Gordon and Gotch, the large distributor of newspapers and magazines (now Ovato Retail Distribution). During the war he served Australia in Egypt, France and Belgium. After taking up Block 332, he married Clarice Bodle of Mildura, and they had three children. Martin was heavily involved in his community, being secretary of the local ADFA branch (now Dried Fruits Australia), Red Cliffs RSL, Red Cliffs Bowling Club Inc., Red Cliffs Cemetery Trust and the Irymple Masonic Lodge (now Mildura Freemasons Lodge). He was also a foundation member of the Red Cliffs Church of Christ. You can read more about him in the book "A Land Fit for Heroes" by Ken Wright.

10.01.2022 The latest Vine magazine is out now! Growers will receive their hardcopy magazine by post soon, but for those who want to read it now, the digital edition is available here: http://bit.ly/vinefebruary2021 This edition looks at why Duxton Dried Fruits has joined DFA’s 10 Tonne Project, industry priorities for future research and development, a spotlight on women in horticulture and much more.

09.01.2022 Calling all young ag innovators! Applications are now open for the 2021 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

09.01.2022 This year has been particularly tough on our #Farmers farmers - if you are worried about anyone in your life, ask #RUOK? And remind them that is ok to not be ok - there is help available and mates to share the load. #saferfarms #farmsafe

09.01.2022 Read about DFA's upcoming live event series and more in the latest edition of Currant News, out now. See the 25 September 2020 edition here https://mailchi.mp/driedfruitsaustralia/currantnews25sep2020

08.01.2022 Happy International Rural Women's Day! Today and every day we recognise the critical contribution of all the women who work in the dried grape industry, on our farms and in our businesses. Pictured: Iris Boulton with her husband Brian and son Brendan at their Vinifera property.... #IRWD2020

07.01.2022 There are a couple of great events on tomorrow and you can attend both from the comfort of your own home (or shed)! First up at lunchtime is Mallee Regional Innovation Centre - MRIC's online panel discussion on regional innovation. DFA CEO Anne Mansell is part of this one. Register here: bit.ly/33tmFN7 Then at 4pm, get an update on the 2020 harvest from dried grape processors Sunbeam Foods, Australian Premium Dried Fruits and Murray River Organics. Join the DFA online event using this link: http://bit.ly/harvest2020event

07.01.2022 Spring vines showing promise of a new season

06.01.2022 Your August Vine magazine is out now. Featuring dried grape growers Warren Lloyd and Ashley Johnstone on the cover, this edition includes the story of their successful collaborative farming arrangement. It also looks at a new study into the health benefits of dried grapes, our chlormequat trial results, podcasts for the modern farmer, and much more.... Read the digital edition here: https://bit.ly/vineaugust2020 Hard copies are on their way out to dried fruits and table grape growers. Australian Table Grape Association Hort Innovation Australian Prune Industry Association Australian Premium Dried Fruits Sunbeam Foods Murray River Organics National Farmers' Federation AustralianFarmers Agriculture Victoria MADEC Harvest Labour Service Mallee Regional Innovation Centre - MRIC Sunrise AG - Orchard-Rite Australia

05.01.2022 Curious about potential new dried grape varieties? Check out this online discussion with Rachael McClintock from Sheehan Genetics. This is the fourth and final event in DFA's We're Growing Live online event series, which took the place of the traditional grower forum this year.

02.01.2022 Our winter pruning mechanisation project with Mallee Regional Innovation Centre - MRIC has inspired dried grape grower Tony Martin to build a prototype of his own. While it needs a bit more development, it looks very promising and will be integrated into the work being done by La Trobe University bringing together blockie know-how with university research. We are now taking name suggestions for Tony's new machine!

02.01.2022 Get an update on the 2020 harvest and new marketing activities from dried fruit processors Sunbeam Foods, Australian Premium Dried Fruits and Murray River Organics. This is the third event in DFA's We're Growing Live series. Watch it here

01.01.2022 Missed our online seminar about using soil moisture probes with the MEA Green Brain system? Or want to watch it again? Check it out here