Pāmu FY26 Report: Profit More Than Doubles to $113m
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
This article describes some of the options and suggests some further reading. The best option will depend on your situation and resources.
Vines may be removed because of virus infection, grapevine trunk disease (GTD), or a change of land use. Some
of the options presented are more important if the land is replanted with grapevines. While in an ideal world all roots would be removed as well as the trunk, this is not always possible. Discussion is focused on trunk removal and preventing disease transmission.
Traditional practice has been burning or burial of grapevine remains. While these remain options as disposal methods, there are important considerations throughout the disposal process, as well as alternative options that offer their own advantages, limitations and cost implications.
Options to Consider
Treat Vine for Mealybugs
If removing vines as a result of Grapevine Leafroll-associated Virus 3 (GLRaV-3), then it is advisable to chemically treat vines before they are removed so that any remaining roots in the vineyard do not support mealybugs as vectors. Any chemical treatment should be conducted with full understanding of current Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand regulations.
Chip the Vines
When a vine (or other plant material) is chipped, it greatly increases the surface area, allowing a higher rate of decomposition. Chipping will also reduce the ability of cankers to produce new spores as new fruiting bodies will not be able to form on the uncolonised wood. One consideration for whole-vine chipping is the increased cost and requirement for specialised machinery with capital cost or contracting required.
Burn Chip for Fuel/Biochar
If chipping is selected, vine material can be transported to specialist facilities, if available, where it can be used as a biomass fuel source or converted into biochar. These processes effectively destroy potential disease inoculum while creating value from what would otherwise be a waste product. The main limitation is transport costs.
Return to Soil as Chip
Returning chipped vine material to the soil recycles valuable carbon and nutrients on site, turning a waste product into a resource. However, if placed on the surface or just below it, the chip is likely to result in nitrogen draw-down during decomposition. Establishing a cover crop such as mustard may support increased breakdown/soil fumigation and remove the residue more quickly. No experiments have been conducted on the pathogen risk of chip returned to soil without composting.
Return to Soil as Compost
Composting chipped vine material requires additional management and inputs to achieve the correct carbon-tonitrogen ratio. However, the finished compost can be returned to the vineyard, recycling nutrients and organic matter back into the soil. Composting has also been shown to kill Eutypa lata spores present completely.
Options with Potential Issues
Leaving Vines in a Pile (GTD Spore Production)
A pile of grapevine material in the open on the side of a block can release winddispersed GTD spores from fruiting bodies present in the wood every time it rains via splash dispersal. If the material must be stored in the vineyard until dealt with, cover it to keep it dry and stop spore release.
Sending Trunks Home with Staff
Letting staff take vines home to burn might seem a good idea (low capital cost), but the wood needs to be dry to burn well, and you may promote inefficient burning in urban areas. Also consider possible health and safety issues of staff accessing the vines after hours, and if they are using chainsaws or other equipment without supervision/procedures in place.
Burying En Masse
Burying vines stops GTD spore release into the air. However, digging a large hole to bury significant quantities of vines which have not been chipped will require the movement of large amounts of soil and associated permits. Long-term management may also be required, as the vines will only slowly decompose, resulting in possible slumping.
Learn More
- nzwine.com/members/research/pest-and-disease/glrav-3/
- nzwine.com/media/10634/nztd102-blackfoot-in-vineyards.pdf
- ‘The effect of composting on the survival of Neonectria ditissima and other horticultural pathogens.’ Australasian Plant Pathology Society conference, ICC, Sydney, Australia, 26–29 May 2025.
Dion Mundy is a Senior Scientist at Bioeconomy Science Institute.
