Virtual fence to protect wine industry

Funded by the State Government and Vinehealth Australia, Project Boundary Rider creates a virtual boundary – or geofence – to surround vineyards and uses smartphone app technology to monitor the movement of people entering vineyards.

Vineyard owners are alerted when anyone crosses their property line. This is critical, as pests such as phylloxera can be spread by machinery or on shoes and clothing worn by people travelling between infected and non-infected areas.

The project, is being rolled out to 30 of the state’s winegrowers in McLaren Vale and the Barossa.

Agriculture Minister Leon Bignell said the innovative system was a first in biosecurity for the wine sector nationally.

“It will protect vineyards from pest and disease threats and provide critical intelligence about the movement of people coming in and out of properties,” he said.

“Wine is one of SA’s key export industries and we grow about 50 per cent of Australia’s grapes.

“It’s vital we do everything we can to protect the industry’s future and SA’s reputation as the producer of premium food and wine from our clean environment.

“Historically, we have an enviable reputation globally for the strength of our biosecurity systems and Project Boundary Rider will take it to another level.”

In the event of a pest or disease outbreak, the technology provides instant data to enable a rapid response to contain the spread and minimise loss.

Vinehealth Australia chief executive officer Inca Pearce said the geofencing technology will enable growers to better integrate an important farm gate hygiene practice of recording visitor movements into daily operations.

“It means growers can remotely record the arrival and departure of visitors as part of their day-to-day management, which is essential in preventing damaging pest and disease incursions in our vineyards,” she said.

Growers receive an immediate notification when someone has entered a vineyard, while visitors with the Boundary Rider app are greeted on their smartphone with a welcome or instructional message.

Information from app users is uploaded to create an electronic log book accessible to the owner of the vineyard.

The pilot, which runs until mid-2017, has attracted strong support from winegrowers.

Those taking part include Chapel Hill Winery, Charles Melton Wines, D’Arenberg, Dorrien Winemaking, Gemtree Wines, Henschke Cellars, Noon Winery, Scholz Estate, St Hallett Wines, Torbreck Vintners, Wirra Vineyards and Wright Vineyard Trust.

“We view this groundbreaking project with much anticipation and excitement because the health of our vines is paramount and we are always looking for new and improved ways of ensuring their longevity,” said Henschke Cellars’ viticulturist Prue Henschke.

Gemtree Wines’ viticulturist Melissa Brown is also excited to be part of the initiative.

“Being certified organic and biodynamic, as well as owning a number of different vineyards, means having an effective monitoring system is a really important tool for managing security and protecting our precious resource,” she said.

Safeguarding the privacy of users is an important feature of the Boundary Rider app. The technology does not track people inside or outside the geofence boundary, and property owners can only access records of visitors crossing geofences on their own properties.

The identity of individual visitors and vineyards can only be used in an emergency outbreak and is only accessible by system administrators at Vinehealth Australia.

The pilot is being supported by the McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism Association and Barossa Grape and Wine Association.