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With the mercury hitting 40 degrees from Wednesday to Sunday, MIA grape growers are preparing to protect their crops. Heat wave conditions like this are not uncommon for the area, according to Riverina Grape Growers Association (RWGA) CEO Brian Simpson. While temperatures early in the week were mid-30s, the forecast predicts five consecutive days over 40 degrees starting Wednesday. Mr Simpson says unless the conditions last longer, it's "business as usual" in prepping the crops for the heat. "The most important thing is for growers to keep the water up," Mr Simpson explained. "Grapes will survive the heat as long as there is water and moisture in the ground. "I hope growers have sufficient water in their account to maintain their vines." Bruno Bromal, RWG chairman, has already started putting sunscreen on two red varieties and one white, a few weeks ahead of schedule. "We used sunscreen last year and it protected the bunches, they didn't get as badly burnt as the ones without," Mr Brombal said. "The concern is it a bit early, as we normally [put it on] before raisin, but when you get 44, 45, 46 degree forecasts, we decided to bite the bullet." Another concern for him is the cost. With only indicative prices released so far, and with water sitting over $700 a megalitre, the return of this year's crops is uncertain.
PROTECTION: Grape Grower Bruno Brombal has already started putting sunscreen on three of his grape varieties to combat the predicted heat, weeks ahead of the planned schedule based off last year. PHOTO: Jacinta Dickins
With the mercury hitting 40 degrees from Wednesday to Sunday, MIA grape growers are preparing to protect their crops.
Heat wave conditions like this are not uncommon for the area, according to Riverina Grape Growers Association (RWGA) CEO Brian Simpson.
While temperatures early in the week were mid-30s, the forecast predicts five consecutive days over 40 degrees starting Wednesday.
Mr Simpson says unless the conditions last longer, it's "business as usual" in prepping the crops for the heat.
The concern is it a bit early, as we normally [put it on] before raisin, but when you get 44, 45, 46 degree forecasts, we decided to bite the bullet.
Bruno Brombal
"The most important thing is for growers to keep the water up," Mr Simpson explained.
"Grapes will survive the heat as long as there is water and moisture in the ground.
"I hope growers have sufficient water in their account to maintain their vines."
Bruno Bromal, RWG chairman, has already started putting sunscreen on two red varieties and one white, a few weeks ahead of schedule.
"We used sunscreen last year and it protected the bunches, they didn't get as badly burnt as the ones without," Mr Brombal said.
"The concern is it a bit early, as we normally [put it on] before raisin, but when you get 44, 45, 46 degree forecasts, we decided to bite the bullet."
Another concern for him is the cost. With only indicative prices released so far, and with water sitting over $700 a megalitre, the return of this year's crops is uncertain.
