Robinvale table grape grower Don Albanese is only 45 but he’s hoping to use his appointment to the Australian Table Grape Association (ATGA) board to encourage more young farmers to get involved.
Don says the table grape industry is in a bit of a league of its own in agriculture, as it has a significant number of younger growers already working on blocks.
But he says it would be even better if they put their hands up for industry roles – and brought with them their take on where the business sits today and where it might go in the future.
“I believe we need more of the next generation, it would be really good to see them get involved – and I suspect a lot of them will be more comfortable with the rapidly changing impact technology is having on all agriculture,” Don says.
He has joined the ATGA board in company with SA Riverland grower Bill Avery – replacing association foundation legends Nick Muraca and David Agg.
Working on the property established by his father Joe, Don brings more than 27 years’ growing experience to the ATGA board, as well as almost nine years with the Robinvale & District Table Grape Growers Association.
“I’ve liked being involved at that level and it has encouraged me to put my hand up for this new role,” Don says.
“One of my other main reasons is to do what I can to help everyone, because the industry really does benefit if we are all doing well.
“After the past few years, especially the two COVID years, the industry is in a bit of a tricky situation – so if you’ve got something to add, it’s important to join where you can.”
By tricky, Don is referring to the cyclical nature of the grape industry, and the changing habits forced on all levels of agriculture and marketing by the illness, the lockdowns and the control measures which paralysed everything from transport to on-site employment.
“You hear growers complaining about this and that, saying someone should do something about whatever the complaint is, but you can only force change from the inside, and if you don’t want to get involved, you will find it harder to have a voice,” he says.
“But if we can all work together to drive our industry forward then that will be the best result for everyone.”
Don is running around 70 acres of grapes, targeting both domestic and export clients.
He also has three daughters, and says none of them is yet showing any overwhelming interest in being a blockie so he is not sure where the family business will be heading.
And while he managed to keep his feet dry during the recent flooding, he says a lot of sandbagging and levee bank construction and repairs was taking place for those closer to the river.
“It’s just another thing that has been a challenge for a lot of people in agriculture, especially coming straight after those two COVID years,” he says.
With harvest due to start in just a few weeks, Don says like just about every industry in Australia, his is also screaming out for staff.
Table grape harvest runs from January to May, and he says while it is not hard to teach the necessary skills to people on the job, you can’t teach anything if you can’t get any workers.
“The backpacker numbers are still way down, and you need to know whoever you do hire is willing to do the work, has a Visa and all the right paperwork,” he says.
“Labor is our biggest cost, and with casual worker numbers not showing any great rebound, you do find yourself thinking with all the leaps and bounds in technology, might robotics be the answer for grape growers?”
Bill Avery might have stepped into his role after the boss decided he had fishing and yabbying more on his mind than growing table grapes – but he has still been happy to also step up to his board role at ATGA.
The farm manager at Talia Farms, in the Riverland of South Australia, says both opportunities came up “purely by chance”.
During his career in the industry, Bill says he has had the opportunity to travel widely and learn plenty of new things about operations internationally which he has been able to use at home.
And like Don Albanese, Bill has echoed the importance of supporting industry when and where possible.
As the largest table grape grower in South Australia, Bill says in his board role he will be keen to fly the flag for the state’s growers, particularly given the potential for land development and expansion in the region.
“I’ve worked with Hort Innovation’s predecessor (Horticulture Innovation Australia) in the early days, when I was the national grape category agronomist with Costa Group, and I would really like to have some input into industry’s strategic planning,” he says.
ATGA chief executive Jeff Scott has welcomed both men to the board after farewelling industry stalwarts Mr Muraca and Mr Agg.
“Nick and David have been involved in the ATGA since before its inception,” Mr Scott says.
“Their contribution to the formation of the national body and their passion for the industry has been instrumental.
“And at the same time, Bill and Don are long-time industry players and both have been welcome delegates.”
