Australia - Tyrell's to cut 80% of 2020 crop

24.01.2020 377 views

Australian wine producer Tyrell’s has said it has decided to “severely” reduce its 2020 vintage, by as much as 80%, due to fears of smoke taint.

Although not directly affected by the serious fires in Australia, the “continued presence of smoke” in the Hunter Valley since late 2019 means that many of the vineyards may have been affected by smoke taint. The producer said in a statement that it had been working in partnership with the Australian Wine Research Institute and Dr Ian Porter of La Trobe University to check for smoke taint and conducting micro-ferments in its own laboratory. This, it said, “has led us to the decision that most of our vineyards will not be harvested for wine production”. The total crop loss is estimated at 80%. The statement went on: “The impact of smoke taint is not universal across the region. The Hunter Valley is a large geographical area and there were many factors to consider when making this decision including proximity to the fires, elevation of vineyards, and days in contact with fresh smoke. “This decision has been our own and reinforces our premium quality standing in the world of fine wine. As with any other year, any wine that we do bottle from the 2020 vintage will only be of a standard that the family deem befitting of our 162 year legacy.” The grapes that will not be used for wine will instead be turned into mulch and feed for cattle on the property. Source - https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com
06.01.2026

India - Nagapattinam farmers protest against non-disbursal crop claims, bad seeds

The shocked officials from the revenue and agriculture departments attempted to hold talks with the protesting farmers, but the farmers continued to stage the protest. 

06.01.2026

UAE deploys AI ecosystem to support climate-vulnerable agriculture

The United Arab Emirates has launched an AI-driven ecosystem to help climate-vulnerable agricultural regions adapt to increasingly volatile weather.

06.01.2026

Von der Leyen proposes to unlock €45 billion for farmers to secure support for Mercosur deal

Italy and France have been pushing the Commission to grant more concessions on the agricultural policy budget.

06.01.2026

FAO Recognizes Pioneering Moroccan Research in Smart Agriculture and Water Management

The research focuses on innovative applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) in sustainable agricultural irrigation management, marking a major scientific win for Morocco.

06.01.2026

Crop Loss Deepens Food Insecurity Across Africa

Crop losses linked to climate shocks, pests and diseases are placing growing pressure on food production systems across Africa, say researchers from the Global Burden of Crop Loss (GBCL).

06.01.2026

India - Tea prices soar at Kochi auctions on reports of frost, crop loss in Nilgiris

Reports of frost impact, crop loss in Nilgiris coupled with the absence of last week sales due to Christmas has triggered tea prices to higher levels in Kochi auctions.

29.12.2025

Cyprus in state of emergency as foot-and-mouth outbreak in occupied north threatens livestock sector

The Agriculture Ministry has entered a state of emergency mobilisation after reports of Foot and Mouth Disease cases in a cattle unit in occupied Lapathos in the Famagusta district. 

29.12.2025

India - Uttarakhand farmers receive Rs 65.12 Crore insurance; new initiatives announced at state-level farmers' day

A state-level Farmers' Day dedicated to farmers' welfare and economic upliftment was organised in Gauchar (Chamoli). On this occasion, Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami transferred an insurance amount of Rs 65.12 crore to 88,000 farmers through DBT under the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme, the release said.