South Australia has a long tradition of fruit growing, with McLaren Vale recognised not only for its wines, but historically for its orchards of apples, pears, cherries, and stone fruit. In the early 1900s, mixed farms and small-scale fruit blocks dotted the region, supplying local markets and supplementing income from grape growing. Over time, the pressure from urban expansion, shifting commodity prices, and water limitations pushed many orchardists to pivot or consolidate. By the early 2000s, vineyards had become dominant—but the story of fruit growing in the region was far from over.
In the past decade, a quiet resurgence in high-value orchard crops has taken root across the Vale and surrounding areas. With rising demand for premium cherries, niche apples, and pome fruits for local and export markets, growers have begun to reinvest in orchard infrastructure. This modern wave of orchard management, however, faces vastly different challenges to those of past generations.
One of the most pressing is climate volatility. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (2024) shows an upward trend in summer maximum temperatures, with McLaren Vale now experiencing over 30 days above 30°C each year on average. Heat stress, sunburn, and storm damage are not just seasonal threats; they are ongoing operational risks. Similarly, bird pressure has intensified, with native and introduced species adapting rapidly to food availability, particularly in rural-urban fringe agricultural zones.
To manage these challenges, growers have looked to permanent netting structures—not as a seasonal fix, but as critical infrastructure. Reflections shared by APAL (2019) highlight that orchards under netting in the Adelaide Hills recorded a 40% lift in marketable yield and up to a 75% reduction in sunburn-related downgrades. These figures are echoed by several McLaren Vale growers trialling netting across cherry and pome fruit blocks. In addition to quality improvements, netting has enabled improved labour efficiency, extended harvest windows, and better working conditions.
Unlike temporary netting, which can be labour-intensive and vulnerable to weather events, structural netting systems are engineered to withstand South Australia’s variable conditions. This includes integrated tensioning systems, anchor foundations, and designs that factor in airflow and pollination access.
While no longer supported by state grant programs as of 2024, the shift toward permanent netting continues to gain momentum. For many orchardists, it’s about futureproofing—ensuring that fruit growing remains viable in a region known for both its heritage and its adaptability.
As the landscape of McLaren Vale continues to evolve, structural netting represents more than just crop protection. It’s a commitment to resilience, quality, and the continued story of fruit growing in one of South Australia’s most dynamic agricultural regions.
Contact Us
Want to learn more about structural netting options for your orchard? Contact our team for a tailored consultation.
This innovative approach to olive cultivation is rapidly gaining traction across Australia’s wine regions—and for good reason.
In regions like McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, vineyard operators are facing rising labour costs, unpredictable yields, and market saturation. SHD olive production offers a compelling solution. These systems utilise the same trellising layouts, machinery, and agronomic know-how familiar to vineyard managers, creating an efficient pathway for crop diversification without the need to overhaul existing infrastructure.
Super high-density systems have revolutionised olive farming with impressive benefits:
Higher Yields, Faster Returns: SHD groves yield 12.4–24.7 tonnes/hectare—double or more than traditional systems—with full production reached in just 3–4 years.
Complete Mechanisation: Using modified grape harvesters, entire orchards can be picked in hours, slashing harvest labour costs by up to 90%.
Efficient Land Use: With up to 2,075 trees per hectare, SHD groves maximise productive land use—ideal for blocks struggling to return profit.
Premium Oil Quality: Uniform ripening and early harvest windows allow for consistent, high-grade olive oil suited to both domestic and export markets.
Originally developed in Spain, SHD systems are perfectly suited to South Australia’s mediterranean climate. They thrive under familiar fertigation regimes, align with existing IPM strategies, and require significantly less water per tonne of fruit than many grape varieties.
From an operational perspective, SHD olives offer faster capital recovery (5–7 years to profitability), improved risk management, and scalability—making them attractive not only to growers but also to investors seeking resilient agricultural assets.
The transition from vines to olives doesn’t signal defeat—it represents adaptation. As landholders look for more reliable returns and long-term sustainability, SHD olive groves present a smart, strategic next step. At Pridham Viticulture, we’re seeing firsthand the opportunities this model creates—and we’re ready to help growers navigate the path from grape to grove.
Contact us to discuss site suitability, project planning, and long-term management strategies.
A well-maintained bore delivers high-quality water that is crucial for crop health. Contaminated water can introduce pathogens, affecting vineyard health. Effective bore maintenance promotes
efficient water use, reducing wastage and supporting environmental sustainability—a value that aligns well with modern viticulture practices. Regular maintenance helps in early detection of
problems, avoiding the high costs associated with major repairs or replacement.
Periodic visual inspections of the bore, pump, and related equipment help identify issues such as corrosion, blockages, or wear and tear. Over time, mineral deposits and bacterial colonies can form, reducing water flow and quality. Cleaning processes like airlifting, acidizing, or using specialized bore brushes can help address these issues. Frequent water testing for parameters like pH, salinity, and microbial content can help in implementing appropriate treatments or preventive measures. Maintaining a bore log that includes details of maintenance activities, water levels, and test results is valuable for troubleshooting and long-term planning.
Bore maintenance is not just a technical requirement but a strategic activity that impacts productivity, prosperity, and the environment. By adopting a proactive approach, businesses in the
viticulture sector can ensure they reap the rewards of a well-maintained bore system. Take the time today to evaluate the health of your bore system; your vines—and the environment—will thank you.
Should you require assistance in bore maintenance and monitoring, please contact us.
Key advantages associated with the fertigation include: efficient nutrient distribution; cost and time effectiveness; environmentally responsible; flexible and customisable; and improvements in soil structure.
1. Efficient Nutrient Distribution: Fertigation ensures that fertilisers are evenly distributed across the soil and vine area that the irrigation system covers. Combining irrigation with fertilization, nutrients reach the root zone directly, optimizing their absorption and uptake by the vine. This promotes consistent growth and better yield.
2. Cost & Time Effective: Precise control over nutrient and water application means fertigation minimises waste. This reduces the overall usage of fertilisers and water resources, resulting in significant cost savings. Combining irrigation with fertilisation also saves labour and machinery time by automating processes that would require separate applications.
3. Environmental Responsibility: Traditional fertilising methods can lead to excessive nutrient overuse and runoff which can harm sensitive nearby areas such as waterways. On the other hand, fertigation reduces this risk by delivering nutrients directly to the vine roots zone.
4. Flexibility and Customisation: Fertigation allows for flexible adjustments and modifications to the fertiliser program during the growth cycle. Nutrient concentrations can be customised to meet the specific needs of different varieties or variables in growth stages.
5. Improved Soil Structure: By avoiding the overuse of traditional fertiliser applications, fertigation maintains soil health by preventing the build-up of harmful salts, reduces soil compaction, and helps maintain a healthy pH balance. The soils integrity is maintained which encourages long-term productivity and vineyard health.
Fertigation is a modern farming technique which encompasses efficiency, productivity, and environmental care. It aligns with the principles of sustainable agriculture that we highly values at Pridham Viticulture, providing our clients with innovative solutions for the wine, horticultural, and agricultural industries.
Embracing fertigation will contribute to a future of farming that is prosperous, sustainable, cost effective, flexible and environmentally responsible. It’s a worthy investment in the health and success of our vineyards and crops.
Contact our Irrigation Manager Byron at 0420 976 880 to book a time to explore your fertigation options and improve your irrigation systems and operations. We are here to help.
Pridham Viticulture recognizes the shift from wet La Nina conditions to the impending dry cycle of El Nino, leading to hotter and dryer weather conditions affecting the agriculture industry.
To tackle this challenge, we emphasize the importance of proactive planning and investing in robust and reliable irrigation infrastructure, systems, and strategies.
By maintaining irrigation infrastructure, Pridham Viticulture aims to reduce water loss due to system breakdowns and inefficiencies. This approach ensures a steady water supply to crops, even during challenging climatic conditions. Moreover, adopting smarter irrigation schedules will optimize crop water uptake while minimizing water evaporation, maximizing resource efficiency.
With water allocation limits expected to come under pressure, we recognize the need for forward planning and strategizing to make the most out of the limited water resources available. This can involve securing additional water allocations and leveraging weather forecasts to plan irrigation schedules intelligently.
By focusing on sustainable and efficient irrigation practices, Pridham Viticulture aims to mitigate the negative effects of the predicted hot and dry weather conditions, safeguarding their agricultural operations and ensuring a fruitful harvest despite the challenges posed by El Nino.
Contact our Irrigation Manager Byron at 0420 976 880 to book a time with us to explore options to improve your irrigation systems and operations. We are here to help.
Good ecological ideas can spread fast if we want them to – the biggest challenge is operator change management. Operators like the tools and machinery they’re used to – it’s a comport thing. Changing to sustainable electric equipment is becoming more wide spread (the pace is increasing) but there’s a long way to go before it becomes common place.
Why is this? Pridham Viticulture have recognised there are infrastructure concerns in the transition from fossil fuel to electric such as the establishment of efficient charging stations and equipment holding areas. As a supplier and service agent for Pellenc Battery Powered Tools we can assist in the development and implementation of these systems and are passionate about moving towards a green future.
Get in touch to see how we can help you upgrade your fleet.