Sunday 24 September 2023 – Nangkita Grove , 2250 Bull Creek Rd, Tooperang SA. 

Grove Host: Mel Hollick

Cost: $44 inc GST members/levy payers, $55 inc GST general admission

Register below

DRAFT PROGRAM

• Registration: from 8.30 am at Nangkita Grove (please park vehicles in the designated area)
• Refreshments on arrival
• Commence: 9.00 am (sharp)

9.00 AM Session 1 (45 min): Introduction and presentation by Michael Thomsett:

• “Setting the scene & defining the problem” – Michael Southan (AOA CEO and OliveCare® Administrator)
• An introduction to Nangkita Grove with owner Mel Hollick
• “Lifting grove productivity and OliveCare® grove best practice checklists” – Michael Southan
• “Drones in Groves – an Introduction to UAVs for growers” – Michael Thomsett (Earthbound Horticulture & AOA President)

Mike Thomsett’s Earthbound Horticulture Consultancy has been utilising UAV (drone) monitoring for groves across NSW since 2017. Astounded at the benefits they bring to the grove manager, Mike is keen to share this with you. The “Drones in Groves” segment is an introduction to UAVs for growers. By demonstrating and showcasing what is easily achievable while raising awareness of the legal and regulatory framework that exists, growers can take the next step towards getting a higher perspective of their farms and gathering valuable information for smarter decisions.

 9.45 AM Session 2 (90 min) Grove Walk: “Grove innovations and management issues”, including:

• Maintaining a productive tree canopy including a demonstration of renovation pruning with Andrew Taylor (Pendleton Estate).
• Biosecurity with Mel Hollick
• Soil moisture monitoring and soil nutrition
• Drone demonstration

11.00 AM Break for refreshments: (20 Minutes)

11.15 AM Session 3 (90 Min) Compost and soil health with Andrew Taylor (Pendleton Estate):

• Making compost utilising olive prunings and olive pomace with Andrew Taylor.
• Results from composting trials with Mel Hollick.

12.45 PM Break for Lunch: (60 Minutes)

1.45 PM Session 4 (75 Min): Tour of Nangkita olive processing facility and pomace production

3.00 PM Break for refreshments:(20 Minutes)

3.20 PM Session 5 (40 Min): Questions, discussion, feedback and evaluation

4.00 PM: Field day concludes followed by refreshments until 5.00 pm

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.