Newsletter Sept 2021
Following our recent AGM there are several items Of interest to all members. The first is that our Hunter Olive Show is not only going ahead, but could well have a record number of entries, not only from the Hunter Valley (some of these are new members so will be exciting to taste their wares) but also from regional NSW, Victoria andACT.
Congratulations to our chief judge, Steve Mitchell and coordinator, Alan Smith. As decided at the AGM, the dates for judging and the show night have been pushed back, with Show night now mid November.
The Spring cycle of pruning, fertilising, then new Growth has us looking at the next harvest. There was concern last year as soon as it became evident there would be large volumes of fruit to be harvested and processed, and there were problems.
However, with several changes in ownership in the Hunter area, and help from those with harvesting Experience we are looking at probably three new harvesting machines being available. One is the large side by side, suitable for larger groves with long rows of mature trees, the owner is ready to bring this up from Victoria if there is the interest. The other two will be owned by Hunter growers and available on application. To make this work a committee, led by Peter Herborn will have to have information from members as to their number and size of trees and interest in using. This equipment, so this is a plea to reply to the questionnaire he has circulated. At the first committee meeting this week, using (sometimes old) information, There seems to be at least 10 groves with over 2000 Trees who could use the big machine, their interest and terrain will have to be looked at.
Lastly a note to be aware of the AOA virtual annual meeting. Running from October 12 – 15, with a two hour session each day. There is so much information in these lectures. Details are in Friday Extracts and AOA website.
Congratulations to our chief judge, Steve Mitchell and coordinator, Alan Smith. As decided at the AGM, the dates for judging and the show night have been pushed back, with Show night now mid November.
The Spring cycle of pruning, fertilising, then new Growth has us looking at the next harvest. There was concern last year as soon as it became evident there would be large volumes of fruit to be harvested and processed, and there were problems.
However, with several changes in ownership in the Hunter area, and help from those with harvesting Experience we are looking at probably three new harvesting machines being available. One is the large side by side, suitable for larger groves with long rows of mature trees, the owner is ready to bring this up from Victoria if there is the interest. The other two will be owned by Hunter growers and available on application. To make this work a committee, led by Peter Herborn will have to have information from members as to their number and size of trees and interest in using. This equipment, so this is a plea to reply to the questionnaire he has circulated. At the first committee meeting this week, using (sometimes old) information, There seems to be at least 10 groves with over 2000 Trees who could use the big machine, their interest and terrain will have to be looked at.
Lastly a note to be aware of the AOA virtual annual meeting. Running from October 12 – 15, with a two hour session each day. There is so much information in these lectures. Details are in Friday Extracts and AOA website.
Regards
Marie Kearns
President Hunter Olive Association