“Highlighting the role and management of healthy soils in producing
healthy trees and lifting grove productivity”
There’s been a bit of a break between events (and a sensational harvest to bring in!) so it’s great news that the ducks are now all lined up to hold the previously postponed AOA Healthy Soils Field Day at Wollundry Grove in the NSW Riverina region.
Starting with registration from 8.30am at the Wollundry Grove Cellar, the day commences at 9am with introduction sessions, followed by a grove walk and soil and leaf nutrition sampling.
Topics cover a range of grove innovations and management issues, including:
- productive tree canopy, with a demonstration of renovation pruning
- monitoring grove temperature and soil moisture
- managing heat and frost events
- introduction to grove nutrition, inter row management, mulching and the benefits of building soil carbon
- how to sample grove soils for nutrition analysis – how, when, where?
- interpreting soil analysis reports
- sampling the grove for a leaf analysis – how, when, where?
- interpreting leaf analysis reports
- nutrient deficiency symptoms
- planning a grove nutrition program, including use of soil conditioners.
The lunch break includes exhibitor demonstrations of grove monitoring and measuring equipment, then the afternoon turns the focus to soil, covering topics including:
- utilising grove organic waste
- making and using compost
- understanding the role of soil carbon, soil water and soil biology and managing soil water
- the importance of building soil and tree health for IPDM
Following the provenly popular program, the day ends with a networking session over refreshments, providing an opportunity for individual discussion with field day experts and a sharing of issues – and solutions – raised throughout the day.
Feedback from the previous events is that this is another not-to-be-missed event, offering a value-packed day of information and shared experience to improve your grove management practices – and grove productivity.
Event details:
When: Sunday, 19 September – Wollundry Grove, Brucedale, NSW. Grove hosts: Bruce Spinks and Joo-Yee Lieu.
Cost: AOA members and levy payers: $40 incl GST; others $50 incl GST.
Registrations close Friday, 10 September: view the full program and register here. Enquiries can be directed to Liz Bouzoudis at secretariat@australianolives.com.au or 0478 606 145.
Note: all events are subject to COVID-19 restrictions/cancellation that may apply at the time.
This project has been 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.
