This afternoon sees the start of the 2020 AOA National Olive Industry Conference, which has moved online following the postponement of the next physical event until October 2021.
Being held from today until Friday, this year’s event consists of four x two-hour afternoon sessions, running from 3-5pm (AEST) each day. Each session has a theme covering one of the industry’s current key topics: Soil management; Grove management; Olives & health; and Olive marketing.
While originally an adaptation for the current COVID-19 restrictions, the new format has been enthusiastically embraced by industry participants: more than 160 registrations were received, the majority for attendance at all Conference sessions.
Program details:
Tuesday, 13 October – 3pm
Soil management, presented by John Barton and Andy Gilliver
Dynamic presentations to assist delegates in understanding soil biology and improve soil health. Topics include composting, soil carbon, the soil biome, and how to harness them in your grove to better manage tree nutrition, available water, and tree health to improve grove productivity.
Sponsored by AORA, the Australian Organics Recycling Association
Wednesday, 14 October – 3pm
Grove management, presented by Professor Andrew Robson, Alex Schultz, Craig Shepard, Joel McKechnie, Dr Luz Angelica Suarez, Dr James Brinkhoff, Professor Kerry Walsh and Jon Lockwood.
Focusing on the new technologies providing improvements and efficiencies in groves and farms across the world, from automated weather stations and water management to harvest timing via infrared technology.
Sponsored by Olivegrower & Processor
Thursday, 15 October – 3pm
Olives & Health, presented by Sarah Gray and Jacqui Plozza
Covering the latest olives and health research, the work being done to ensure health professionals and consumers are informed about the benefits of olive products, and the facts around cooking with EVOO, countering the myth that “you can’t cook with olive oil”.
Sponsored by the Olive Wellness Institute
Friday, 16 October – 3pm
Marketing, presented by Dr Cheryl Kalisch Gordon, Paul Miller and Andrew Burgess
An insightful session providing an overview of the world’s edible oil markets, with analysis of the big picture trends that will influence and drive these markets in the foreseeable future, along with updates on the current state of the global and domestic olive markets.
Sponsored by Modern Olives
Registrations for all sessions have now closed and log-in links for each session have been sent to all registrants.
