Get the basics to start a grove from scratch or refresh your knowledge on olive growing

Date: Thursday 11 December.

Roseworthy College Hall and NOVA site, University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy campus, Mudla Wirra Rd, Roseworthy, SA.

Presenters: Michael Southan, Michael Thomsett, Ben Pike.

Topics covered: site selection, varieties, irrigation, grove management, pruning, pests and diseases and harvest options.  A number of equipment suppliers and service providers will also be on hand to show you what is available to make your grove as efficient as possible*. This back-to-basics field day program will also be held in VIC and NSW in the coming months.

*Note – other industry providers are welcome as registered attendees however business promotion is restricted to official suppliers and service providers.

Cost: $44 inc GST for members & levy payers / $55 inc GST for general entry. Price includes arrival tea/coffee, morning tea and lunch.

Registrations close: 4 December

Program:

8:30am – 9:00am: Arrival and tea/coffee.

9:00am – 9:30am: Welcome, housekeeping, introductions.

9:30am – 10:30am: Why grow olives? Site selection – olive varieties – table olives, olive oil, multipurpose.

10:30am – 11:00am: Morning Tea.

11:00am – 12:00pm: Planting considerations – density of trees; irrigation; fertilisation; pests and diseases – monitoring and control.

12:30pm – 1:30pm: Lunch.

1:30pm – 4:30 pm: In the grove – inspection of trees; identification of pests; diseases and canopy management; pruning; demonstrations of equipment in the grove by industry sponsors.

4.30pm: Program wrap-up, including information on resources available to assist with managing your grove.

This is part of the Olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL22000), funded by Hort Innovation, using the Hort Innovation olive research and development levy, co-investment from the Australian Olive Association and contributions from the Australian Government.