DRIED grape growers will be clearing space on the mantelpiece with the national association announcing new awards for its top growers, based on commercial values.
This season, Dried Fruits Australia (DFA) is introducing the 2022 DFA Top Crop Awards which will highlight and reward businesses that produce the highest value crop per hectare, with individual awards for each major variety:
- Sunglo;
- Sunmuscat;
- currants;
- Selma Pete;
- Sugra 39;
- sultanas.
The winners will be determined based on final yields, grades, any deductions (as confirmed by the documentation received from a processor), and publicly known base-level pricing.
The awards will be presented at Mildura Field Days, with winners' average yield per hectare published publicly.
The overall winner will receive a $500 Mildura City Heart gift voucher, while each category winner will receive a $100 voucher.
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The awards will be different to DFA's annual Dried Fruit Quality Awards, in that they will focus on commercial outcomes.
"For example, in the Sunmuscat category, an 11.6 tonnes per hectare five-crown brown entry with no deductions will score better than a 10 tonnes per hectare five-crown light entry," a DFA release said.
To register for the awards, e-mail: projects@driedfruitsaustralia.org.au. Entries close March 18, with final yields, grades and deductions to be provided by May 16.
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