<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>We are starting to harvest in earnest in Oz. And some salutatory lessons
are being absorbed in the process.

1. Lorikeets eat green olives - the first I have heard of same. They nip
the frond allowing the fruit to drop to the ground and then consume the
(bitter) green flesh. A worry!

2. In certain parts of Australia (southern regions) we have had over 4"
of rain (100mm) which seems to have had the effect of swelling the fruit
without consequent conversion to oil. Manzanillo were delivered to me today
(800kg) which were 85% coloured from green. Result: <0.2% oil.

3. The best oil this year (organoleptically) has been unirrigated Verdale
(a little bland but of pleasant aftertaste) and unirrigated Paragon (robust
and fruity). The season is still young and I expect many good flavours yet!

Lessons

Beware of overwatering
Make sure of variety
Get rid of birds somehow. As well as Kangeroos, Walllabies, Rats, Mice,
Wattle Birds, Cockatoos (sulphur crested or otherwise) and Lorikeets.

Some Italian and Turkish friends called in today as we were processing.
Both parties questioned (unbelievingly) why were we processing all this
green fruit (see above). More and more I am calling attention to the
practice in Europe (although it varied considerably) of harvesting black.

Regards.
</pre>
</td></tr></table>

<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>Thanks for your thoughts on irrigation, it seems to be an on-going debate
I am a new Olive grower and still trying to come to terms with all the
contridictory advise that seems to abound - not only about irrigation! ).

I would be keen to hear your ideas about how we should keep the horde of
pest away from our tress, particularly wallabies etc. Any good thoughts?

Cheers
----- Original Message -----
From: P Caird <caird@hitech.net.au>
To: <OliveOil@egroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2000 9:41 PM
Subject: [OliveOil] New Pests


>
>
> We are starting to harvest in earnest in Oz. And some salutatory lessons
> are being absorbed in the process.
>
> 1. Lorikeets eat green olives - the first I have heard of same. They
nip
> the frond allowing the fruit to drop to the ground and then consume the
> (bitter) green flesh. A worry!
>
> 2. In certain parts of Australia (southern regions) we have had over 4"
> of rain (100mm) which seems to have had the effect of swelling the fruit
> without consequent conversion to oil. Manzanillo were delivered to me
today
> (800kg) which were 85% coloured from green. Result: <0.2% oil.
>
> 3. The best oil this year (organoleptically) has been unirrigated
Verdale
> (a little bland but of pleasant aftertaste) and unirrigated Paragon
(robust
> and fruity). The season is still young and I expect many good flavours
yet!
>
> Lessons
>
> Beware of overwatering
> Make sure of variety
> Get rid of birds somehow. As well as Kangeroos, Walllabies, Rats, Mice,
> Wattle Birds, Cockatoos (sulphur crested or otherwise) and Lorikeets.
>
> Some Italian and Turkish friends called in today as we were processing.
> Both parties questioned (unbelievingly) why were we processing all this
> green fruit (see above). More and more I am calling attention to the
> practice in Europe (although it varied considerably) of harvesting black.
>
> Regards.
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Get 3 months FREE and a chance to WIN a trip to London, England when
> you receive, manage and pay your bills online with Paytrust.com!
> Stamps, checks and bills in your mailbox are history. Enroll Today!
> http://click.egroups.com/1/3556/0/_/137757/_/956666239/
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> TODAY'S FEATURED SITE: http://sadoun.home.att.net/webringform.htm
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> To see more olive related sites visit:
http://www.egroups.com/links/OliveOil
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> ~~~~~~~ Life is healthier with OliveOil ~~~~~~~
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
</pre>
</td></tr></table>

<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>Shotguns are a good idea. However, if this is not your style, there is
always expensive fencing.

> I would be keen to hear your ideas about how we should keep the horde of
> pest away from our tress, particularly wallabies etc. Any good thoughts?
</pre>
</td></tr></table>