Currently, many growers have fallen victim to the dreaded downy mildew disease that is inflicted extensive damage to vineyards in the Murray Valley region. Downy mildew is among the most feared diseases for grape growers because it causes extensive damage to both table grapes – for eating – and wine grapes. It thrives in wet conditions when farmers are prevented from getting into their vineyards and spraying their crops to guard them against the disease.
Murray Valley Winegrowers executive officer Paul Derrico said he knew of growers who had almost lost their entire crops to downy mildew, including some who had taken out large loans anticipating a bumper harvest. He said wine grape production had declined by about 100,000 tons for the 2023 harvest compared with the five-year average in the Murray Valley region, which equated to about $60 million in losses.
Source: theage.com.au