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<pre>Group:

I think Brian omitted a couple of very important, fundamental considerations
new olive growers should add to their "check list".

1) Profit:
Do you want/need to make a profit (see pg 145 of the olive manual if/when
in California and intend to produce olive for oil - 20% is what it takes
in California, not Italy or AU. Prospective growers should always project
the % oil at various yields needed to be profitable - see attached) and,
what level of profit do you expect?

2) non-profit:
Or, are you in it simply for the "passion/romance of producing EVOO olive
oil"? That is, money is not a limited resource.

Attached is a cost study we prepared in California for prospective North
Coast (Napa Valley) olive growers interested in oil production. Those
getting into the business might consider using this as a "worksheet" by
putting in their own specifications and projected costs (don't use CA costs)
in the column provided (note, in this study land is very expensive due to
its location and ability to produce wine grapes. Simply change the land cost
to reflect one's situation - surprisingly it doesn't change things that
much).

Hope this helps.

Steve Sibbett
U.C. Farm Advisor
Phone - office 559.733.6486
Mobil 559.280.0666
FAX 559.734.2708