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Enhancing adoption of recycled green waste in vineyards (Macedon Ranges)

Current

This three-year project in the Macedon Ranges is investigating the financial and environmental benefits of using urban recycled green waste as a mulch and compost under vines.

Two vineyards are testing certified mulch and compost in vine rows compared to a control row using standard practices (brush cutting and herbicide under vine).

Electronic data loggers monitor hourly progress, while the assessment of grape quality takes place during every annual harvest.

Why this project is important  

Milestone 4 Hesket treatment rows September 2023

The Macedon Ranges vineyards are the coldest in mainland Australia and produce outstanding cool climate wines. These highly labour-intensive vineyards need a reliable method to increase the time vine roots and grapes can spend at beneficial temperatures with cost-effective and efficient management practices.

Research shows that in mulched vines, warmer roots and bunch zones in spring and cooler conditions in summer will increase grape and wine quality. Moreover, non-herbicide weed suppression under vine is a goal for many vineyards in the region.

The concept is based on trials undertaken on the Mornington Peninsula between 2015 and 2018, which saw positive grape quality results from pinot noir with recycled composted mulch under vine.

Effects of spreading composted products under vines PPWCMA Landcare PDF|1.78 MB

Results

The results from this project are now available as a case study, including a full cost-benefit to support growers with decisions about using recycled organic waste under vine and the potential yield increases.

Recycled green waste under vines - results day case study PDF|1.79 MB

Compost calculator: how much do I need?

An electronic mulch calculator will be available for vineyards to calculate how much mulch is needed for the under vine area.

The vineyard mulch calculator is currently under development. Growers can also use this table format to look up the information without a calculation.

Mulch cover   Wide & high Medium Narrow & low Wide & high Medium Narrow & low Wide & high Medium Narrow & low
Width of mulch undervine (m) examples 1 0.9 0.7 1 0.9 0.7 1 0.9 0.7
Height of layer (m)   0.075 0.05 0.05 0.075 0.05 0.05 0.075 0.05 0.05
Length for calculation (1m)   1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Volume m3 per m row WxHxL 0.075 0.045 0.035 0.075 0.045 0.035 0.075 0.045 0.035
Row spacing   - - - - - - - - -
Vine row spacing (m) examples 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.2 2.2 2.2
No. of rows per ha 100 m/row spacing 37.04 37.04 37.04 40.0 40.0 40.0 45.45 45.45 45.45
Volume in m3 per ha volume per m row x rows x 100 m 277.8 166.7 129.6 300.0 180.0 140.0 340.9 204.5 159.1
Cost of composted mulch/m3 example 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Cost of mulch/ha of vineyard volume in m3 x cost/m3 $6,944 $4,167 $3,241 $7,500 $4,500 $3,500 $8,523 $5,114 $3,977
70-100 Mulchable block size (ha) example 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Cost for my block cost per ha x block size $3,472 $2,083 $1,620 $3,750 $2,250 $1,750 $4,261 $2,557 $1,989

Project partners  

  • Sustainability Victoria
  • Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association
  • GrapeLinks  
  • BioGro

Funding acknowledgement  

This project is delivered by Melbourne Water in partnership with Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association, and GrapeLinks, and is supported by the Victorian Government.

It is funded through Sustainability Victoria (Circular Economy Markets Fund-Organics).

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