THE OLIVE CAMPAIGN ENDS

THE FINAL VOLUME RECEIVED HAS BEEN VERY HIGHER THAN THE INITIAL ESTIMATES
On these dates the oil mill is already closed. From the campaign that has just ended, we highlight that a lower harvest has been obtained than the previous one, although the final volume received has been much higher than the initial estimates and has nothing to do with the sharp declines in harvest in other producing areas. If we add to this circumstance the effort made by the partners, we can affirm that the balance is very positive., both in the harvest and in its quality.
However, with quality we must never be conformist or lower the level of demand. Thus, It is possible to state that infestations of the fungus are being observed in the field (Colletotrichum gloesporoides) commonly known as Soapy Olive or vivillo.
Its main effect on the olive tree is the rottenness of the olives, associated with noticeable weight loss and premature loss, which causes oils of high acidity and poor quality that negatively affect if they are mixed with the rest of the oils produced. The germination of the fungus is very fast, being able to complete its cycle, in optimal conditions, in a maximum of 10 days. After winter, the fruits fallen to the ground can cause reinfections the following year when the optimal conditions are given (high relative humidity and temperatures between 20-30 ºC).
In this regard, From the Technical Department of Los Remedios-Picasat it is recommended as a preventive measure to make use of treatments with copper products, copper oxychloride type, adding wetting agent if the product does not have it. The proper procedure is to perform one treatment in the spring and another in the fall. As a cultural control method, it is recommended to favor the ventilation of the trees: in areas where branch attacks occur, those that are affected should be eliminated to reduce the sources of inoculum, as well as early collections.
In another vein, We inform that at the end of January a first payment of the olive campaign that has just ended has been made, In order to provide liquidity to the partners on these dates in which the expenses of the collection coincide, pruning and fertilizers, among others.