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<pre>Volker, I would suspect that the Internet will have a profound effect on
learning and enable groups, to share new and accumulated knowledge about
many subjects. The learning curve is no longer such a steep climb!

I think the 8x5 planting was purely for the sake of mechanical harvesting.
Olives Australia suggests this as optimal planting for harvesting and,
without any other experience in olives, we have followed this advice.

An interesting TV program on Australian television the other day described
the fortunes of a small olive growing family and how they have grown to
become a major player in the industry here. Essentially they formed an
association with other growers in a rural district and together they grow,
press and market under one banner. They have recently installed a heavy duty
Alfa Laval continuous press and the oil produced seems to be of very high
standard. Also of interest was the unusual climate condition for this last
season and how it had affected the oil yield of their olives. The olives
themselves were very fat and juicy but alas with not much oil content!
Apparently they received record summer rainfall close to harvest and this
affected the oil content of their fruit significantly. Global warming and El
Nino (or is it La Nina) seem to be the culprits. Has a change in the
climate affected your area in any way?

Regards

Phil
</pre>
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