The University of Adelaide - Waite Research Institute

				Follow Us Visit the WRI Blog Words from the Director "Global food security is threatened by a unique convergence of climatic, environmental, economic and sociological issues that have created major challenges for agricultural production in Australia and across the world. The Waite Research Institute will harness the skills in the University of Adelaide and its partners to address these from paddock to plate." - Professor Roger Leigh WRI News Peter Waite Celebrations To commemorate Peter Waite’s birth date (May 9, 1834), the WRI, together with the UoA School of Agriculture, Food & Wine honoured the day by sponsoring drinks and canapés for all Waite campus staff and UoA postgraduates on Friday afternoon 6 May 2011. The inaugural event was held in perfect autumn weather outside Lirra Lirra cafe from 3:00pm to 4:30pm and included a competitive Bocce tournament with 12 teams vying for the prestigious trophy, the Peter Waite Bocce Cup!
Home About WRI Board Staff Applying for Funds News & Events Waite Distinguished Guest Lecture Series Waite Named Lecture Series FOODplus Seminar Series Media Appearances WRI Launch Waite History Waite Stars Waite Organisations UoA Internal School Of Agriculture, Food, and Wine ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics Australian Plant Phenomics Facility External Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization South Australian Research and Development Institute Australian Genome Research Facility Australian Grain Technologies Australian Wine Research Institute Joint Research Centres and Clusters FOODplus Wine Innovation Cluster Wine 2030 Waite Science Soil and water Plant science Plant breeding and genetics Plant protection Agronomy and farming systems Wine science Food and human nutrition Value chains Studying and Working at Waite Links and Reports Reports Further Enquiries Waite Research Institute The Waite Campus PMB 1, Glen Osmond SA 5064 Australia Email Telephone: +61 8 8303 6729 Facsimile: +61 8 8303 7109		The University has invested in several new institutes to tackle the most pressing social, economic and environmental problems of our time. The Waite Research Institute brings together researchers from a range of disciplines including plant biology, genetics, soil sciences, agronomy, clinical nutrition and agricultural economics. They will pool their expertise to find solutions to major problems including meeting the challenge of ensuring global food security and providing Australia's agricultural, wine and food industries with innovative research-led developments. Debate @ the Waite - 15 March 2012 Come and see two teams debate the topic: “The future of the Australian wine industry will be based on technology, not tradition.” The Australian wine industry is estimated to be worth $5 billion annually, with approximately 60% of our wines exported. Innovation has underpinned the growth of the Australian wine industry in recent decades, enabling the production of high-volume, value-for-money wines for export. But the industry is under pressure from oversupply of fruit, the high Australian dollar and increasing competition from other ‘new-world’ wine producers. How should the Australian wine industry position itself within existing and emerging markets to increasingly discerning, wine-savvy consumers? New technologies in grapevine breeding and selection, disease management, irrigation and fertiliser monitoring and improved understanding of grapevine development all have the potential to increase the profitability of Australian vineyards. Does remaining competitive in a global market mean embracing any and every existing and emerging technology? Despite advances in technology, wine making is, in essence, a natural biochemical process which humans have exploited and enjoyed for thousands of years. Wine has a unique place in many cultures and is associated with food, romance, celebration and worship. The basic tools - grapes, yeast, wooden barrels and presses - have remained the same throughout the ages, and winemaking can be seen as much as an art as a science. Consumers are increasingly interested in ‘ethical’ consumption, and are seeking wines that are produced using sustainable practices. Perhaps it’s time for a back-to-basics approach to ensure the future of the Australian wine industry? This debate, moderated by Dr Paul Willis, RiAus, will explore all these issues, as six experts in two teams argue for your vote. *Will you be for* or against? Affirmative Team Prof Steve Tyerman, School of Agriculture, Food & Wine, The University of Adelaide Dr Dan Johnson, Managing Director, Australian Wine Research Institute Prof Vlad Jiranek, School of Agriculture, Food & Wine, The University of Adelaide Negative Team Mr Brian Croser, Winemaker & Entrepeneur Prof Barbara Santich, School of History & Politics, The University of Adelaide Dr Sue Bastian, School of Agriculture, Food & Wine, The University of Adelaide Moderator** Dr Paul Willis, RiAus When: Thursday 15 March, 6.00pm – 8.30pm Where: Lirra Lirra Cafe, Waite Campus, The University of Adelaide, Waite Rd, Urrbrae Finger food provided. A cash bar will be open throughout the event Admission free but registrations are essential. Register online at eventbrite or call 8303 6729

Debate @ the Waite - 15 March 2012

“The future of the Australian wine industry will be based on technology, not tradition.”