At Langhorne Creek, at trial has been conducted introducing environmental stewardship into irrigated viticulture using a form of EMS. The project is named “Environmental Management in Viticulture – Langhorne Creek”. It is funded by Murray Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) and sponsored by the Angas Bremer Water Management Comnmittee (ABWMC) and Langhorne Creek Wine Grape Growers Association (LCWGA). Twenty (20) vineyards have participated involving more than 60% of the area planted to vines. Issues are addressed using regional developed environmental standards in the form of Best Management Practices and the system provides for tiered levels of recognition linked with catchment goals.

Background

In August 2001, the ABWMC launched its Code of Practice for Irrigators. This code was produced to assist irrigators in meeting their requirements under the Water Allocation Plan for the Angas Bremer Prescribed Wells Area and focuses on efficient water use.

The Code of Practice has attracted attention from the MDBC. They would like to scope the options for environmental auditing in irrigated horticulture across the basin.

The Project

The aim is to scope the options for environmental auditing in viticulture by exploring questions like:

Why do it?
Who are we doing it for?
What can we monitor and report on at the property level?
Who should be the auditors?
What can we gain from independent auditing of our practices?
How do we impact on the environment?

MDBC are keen to see industry drive this project and want to build upon the excellent work already being done in the Angas Bremer by combining the Code of Practice with other best practice guidelines relevant to viticulture (eg. spray diaries).

The partners

This project will only work if all the relevant parties are involved from the beginning.

At this stage, the project partners are:

•  ABWMC (proponent)

•  Wine and Brandy SA

•  CRC for Viticulture

•  River Murray Catchment Water Management Board

•  Department for Water, Land and Biodiverstiy Conservation

How can Grape Growers be involved?

By endorsing the project, joining the Steering Committee and running property-scale trials.

This project will develop a template for environmental auditing in viticulture. It will attract 3 years funding from MDBC which will include a part-time project officer and operational money to run trials on 15 viticulture properties.

 

Further Reading:

Environmental Management in Viticulture – Langhorne Creek (21Kb) (47Kb)

Best Management Practice for Irrigated Viticulture: Biodiversity (17Kb) (38Kb)

Best Management Practice for Irrigated Viticulture: Chemical & Pest Management (31Kb) (57Kb)

Best Management Practice for Irrigated Viticulture: Equipment, Machinery and Vehicle Management (17Kb) (45Kb)

Best Management Practice for Irrigated Viticulture: Soil and Fertiliser Management (27Kb) (46Kb)

Best Management Practice for Irrigated Viticulture: Vineyard Establishment (12Kb) (35Kb)

Best Management Practice for Irrigated Viticulture: Waste Management (23Kb) (54Kb)

Best Management Practice for Irrigated Viticulture: Water Use Management (27Kb) (46Kb)

Best Management Practice for Irrigated Viticulture: General Other (11Kb) (35Kb)

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