Hunter Olive Association Soil Workshop

Held at Woodlands Olive Grove, Broke on Monday 9 September 2019

On a windy Monday morning 11 HOA members participated in the follow up Soil Management workshop.

Conducted by Col Freeman from Local Land Services, the focus this time was on understanding soil chemistry and nutrition.
The workshop on this occasion was held at Woodlands, the Andrews family grove in Broke.

Using an Local Land Services Decision Tree that started with consideration of soil type we worked through the factors that determine soil performance.

Using soil laboratory reports from two of our own groves, Col stressed the importance of not just looking at soil composition in absolute terms e.g. how much Calcium is in the soil, but also understanding the ratios of key components to each other e.g. the ration of Calcium to Magnesium.

Col stressed there is no one magical formula – each grove needs to consider its own specific situation in terms of soil type, water accessibility etc., As well as the chemistry of the soil he then stressed the need to consider its biology or organic composition.

Using the HOA’s newly acquired microbiometer we tested participants’ soil samples to understand soil health as reflected by microbial activity. It was particularly interesting to see just how much this varied among the samples tested. Results ranged from microbial activity low of 246 units in a rundown grove, to 988 and 1010 in recently well-watered groves, with another 3 groves between 650 and 850.

A chemical analysis that incorporates analysis of key ratios, together with these soil microbe readings provides a very solid basis for nutrient enhancement.
Properly done this will potentially avoid money being wasted on ad hoc or subjective application of fertilisers. It also has an important part in an integrated pest and disease management program.

The microbiometer tester will be available for ongoing member at a cost of $25 per test. If interested contact our Treasurer Alan Smith (treasurer@hunterolives.asn.au), who has the equipment.
Soil chemical tests can be arranged through SESL in Sydney or SWEP in Melbourne, cost is around $120, and they both provide an easy to read output. They need a 250g sample generally, details are on their websites.

The next workshop will be in early 2020. This workshop would act as refresher and means to assess progress from the two previous workshops.
Even if you have not attended earlier workshops, the one in February is guaranteed to be relevant to your grove
Our thanks have been conveyed to Col Freeman for his excellent session and Anthony Andrews for his excellent hospitality.

Peter Herborn