By Laura Thomas
The annual olive harvest will get underway in parts of the country in the coming weeks and signs are looking promising for an on-year, with plenty of fruit.
And with this bountiful crop in mind, Aussie growers are making sure arrangements are in place for a successful harvest.
A timely harvest is a key determining factor in oil quantity and quality. It can also affect the next year’s crop.
At Talbot Grove in York, Western Australia, Frederik von Altenstadt is making preparations for harvest to begin at the start of May. He needs a harvest operator to complete the job, so started his search to find one well in advance.
His grove is home to 6,000 olive trees and has been producing quality extra virgin olive oil for both the domestic and export markets, for the last 25 years.
According to the Federal Government’s occupational shortage data, demand for agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operators has outstripped supply in recent years.
But von Altenstadt is confident that with his good planning, he will find the help he needs.
“I have had different operators every year for the last three years. Two were local, but are not able or willing to harvest this year; one was from Italy and would like to come again, but with him, availability at the right time is still a question,” he said.
“I believe getting in overseas workers needs to be at least part of the solution.
“Yes, there have been hurdles to overcome, but so far so good, in the end I have always found someone.”
Von Altenstadt said he was optimistic of a plentiful harvest ahead, after scorching temperatures all but destroyed his 2024 crop.
“The crop failure last year was due to a whole week of highs around 40 degrees in November, too early, just after flowering. The tiny peppercorn-size fruit were shed by the stressed trees,” he said.
“It is still early days. There are olives on the trees, but whether we get summer / early autumn rainfall or not will make a huge difference.”
Check out our pre-harvest check-list
Whether your olives will be harvested by hand or your enterprise is a fully mechanised one, our handy check-list below will help you ensure your operation is carried out as efficiently as possible.
- Timing is key
- Know when your fruit will be ripe and keep an eye on it. The timing of individual harvests varies across Australia due to climate, ripening and operational factors.
- Organise your team
- Ongoing labour shortages may make sourcing a picking crew difficult. Luckily, assistance is available. Visit our website for contacts and more information.
- Lock-in your contractors
- If you’re relying on paid labour, ensure your harvest contractor is booked and confirmed well in advanced. Get it in writing.
- If you’re planning to have your olives commercially processed, make sure that’s booked and any necessary transport is confirmed, too.
- Find out more about working with contractors via our Olivegrower & Processor article Contractor arrangements: be informed and lock it in!
- Check your equipment
- Ensure it is clean and ready to use.
- Carry out any necessary maintenance. Have equipment serviced, if required.
- Ensure your harvest bins and containers are clean, on-site and big enough for your crop.
- Eliminate contamination risk
- Sheep grazing the grove? Remove them well in advance of harvest to eliminate the risk of faecal contamination of your olive crop.
- Spraying for pests and weeds? Check the label of any insecticides and herbicides used in your grove to ensure any withholding period requirements are met prior to harvest. You’ll find details of all chemicals currently permitted for use on olives on the Agricultural Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) website.
- Ensure ongoing grove biosecurity
- Review your grove biosecurity management plan and documentation to ensure your grove and the wider Australian olive industry remain free of harmful insects, weeds and disease.
- Make sure biosecurity gate signage is clearly visible to inform guests and contractors they are entering a bio-secure site. Haven’t got one? Purchase or download via our website.
- Know your biosecurity risks and how to address them – access the Biosecurity Action Plan for Olive Growers on the Australian Olive Association website.
As we’ve already said, it’s important to ensure your grove, equipment and paperwork is in order before the flurry of harvest begins, when simple things are easily overlooked and big problems arise!
Harvest will be here before we know it, so the time to get ready is now!
More information:
AOA members can also refer to the Yearly Orchard Planner, available from the Members Lounge at http://www.australianolives.com.au.
Not a member? Find out more about the benefits of joining the industry’s national representative body at http://www.australianolives.com.au/membership-benefits/.
