News
New
Staff Appointed
Sarah Kivi was appointed as our new Technical Officer in January.
She is a recent graduate from the University of Adelaide with a major in
Viticulture and will provide technical support to the consultant
team at Scholefield Robinson. Sarah replaces Lucy Pumpa, who moved
to Canberra in early January to take up a new position with DAFF.
Kate Delaporte was
also recently appointed as our new Technical Consultant, replacing
Amanda Schapel, who is now working at PIRSA Rural Solutions (Lenswood). Kate previously worked at the University of Adelaide managing the
Ornamental Eucalypt Development Program.
Future
Leader
Mary Retallack, Senior Viticultural Consultant with Scholefield Robinson, participated in the DAFF funded ‘Pathways to Rural Leadership’ program and ‘Future Leaders’ program for the Australian Wine Industry in 2007. She was recently selected for the Australian Rural Leadership Program - Course 15, a comprehensive and national leadership course running over the next 18 months.
Scholefield Robinson is proud that the qualities of our young consultants are being recognised with these awards.
Drought and Water
In 2007 Scholefield Robinson has responded to the effects of the drought and water restrictions being faced by irrigators by completing a number of projects related to drought and water issues. They are:
-
Horticultural Case Studies for Exceptional Circumstances Submission, prepared for Murraylands Regional Development Board Inc.
-
Coping with Drought within the Australian Almond Industry, report prepared for Almond Board of Australia.
-
Drought Business Skilling for River Murray Irrigators, “toolkit” prepared for
PIRSA.
-
Accredited to prepare Business Plans for Drought Affected Farm Businesses by PIRSA Prudential and Rural Financial Services.
-
Grapevine Management Options in Times of Drought and Water Restrictions, guidelines prepared for SA Wine Industry Association.
In addition, Scholefield Robinson has provided specific advice to major clients on the complex interaction between water availability, restrictions, crop requirements and how this affects decision making for individual irrigators.
We also presented water seminars to clients in Adelaide and Mildura with Professor Mike Young discussing policy issues related to water resource management.. Copies of Mike Young’s presentation can be found on the following website:
www.myoung.net.au
Capacity Building for Australian Wine Grape Growers
Scholefield Robinson has recently been engaged for a major consultancy with Wine Grape Growers Australia under the Industry Partnerships Program of the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). This project has several components including;
-
Aligning strategic plans of the wine and grape growing industries into a joint “all industry” plan.
-
Preparation of a Vineyard Business Development Model to assist grape growers with business decision making.
-
Enhancing of the adoption of R&D and sector innovation.
-
Strengthening linkages and structures of the Australian grape grower organisations.
Wine Industry Situation
Our understanding of the complex supply and demand situation in the Australian wine industry assists clients to better manage their businesses in challenging times.
Nut Crops
Rapid expansion of the Australian almond and walnut industries has occurred in recent years. Much of this growth has been as a result of corporate investment and MIS schemes. Scholefield Robinson works closely with a number of the major producers and industry groups in the nut industry.
The recent release of the 2007 almond industry statistics by the Almond Board of Australia (ABA) highlight the growth of the industry.
-
Total area of orchards is 25,965ha, with 58% not yet in production.
-
Since 2000, orchard area has increased from 5,000ha to 25,000ha.
-
Production in 2000 was 8,500t of kernel, while in 2007 it was 26,555t.
-
Even with no new plantings, production in 2015 is estimated to be 75,000t with an estimated value of over $500m.
-
Exports are increasing as production increases.
-
Refer to
www.australianalmonds.com.au for more details of survey.
If you require further information on any of these above activities, please contact Dr Peter Scholefield on (08) 8373 2488 or email
peter.scholefield@srhs.com.au
|
