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<pre>Stan,

I quite agree with you that the Institute and Ptof Lavee have done
considerable and valuable work.

> It is sad to hear that any olive variety is in trouble. The Volcani
> Institute and Professor Lavee that developed Barnea are internationally
> recognised for their work in horticulture and especially the olive.

Further information from Agrolive states that only 2560 trees were delivered
and not until Dec 1998 with the first expected harvest in 2002.
Nonetheless, with minor adjustments to your financial statement, it seems
that Cobram Estates made a considered business decision of some magnitude.
The question remains why? Regards

> In the case of removing 3000 trees after 3 years. I estimate the
> establishment, maintainance and removal of those trees at AUS$50/tree
> minimum is Aus$150000. Adding 3 years of lost production (ie starting
> from scratch) is 3years x 50kg olives/tree x 3000trees = 450tonnes of
olives. This
> would yield 90 tonnes of olive oil. This is about 100000 litres which
> has a minimum farmgate value ($5/litre) of about AUS$500000.
> If my maths are correct then this exercise would cost AUS $650000.
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