About Organic Olive Management - The Manager
Organic Olive Management Limited (OOM), a fully owned subsidiary of Kailis Organic Olive Groves, is responsible for managing five large commercial organic olive enterprises at Hopelands, Preston Valley, Avon Valley, Twin Brooks and Dandaragan, comprising over 1,794 ha of farmed land and some 680,794 trees. The personnel at these locations are high-level skilled technical and operational managers.
In the past 9 years, OOM has developed techniques in organic olive management that are unique in this organic horticultural field. The Managing Director has up to 16 years' experience in the olive industry. Other technical staff have experience in food production in olive and other industries.
OOM employs a professional horticultural team that is responsible for the day-to-day management. OOM also has existing ties in Research and Development through major universities in Australia.
The research and development component of OOM is essential in maintaining the leading edge in its organic field. OOM has nourished long-term relationships with leading organisations in the field of organic agriculture that provides both inputs and mechanised innovations to its farms.
OOM's mission statement is simply:
"To Constantly Improve Efficiencies and Yield Results within Organic Olive Horticulture"
OOM is responsible for maintaining the groups organic certification on-grove. The Preston Valley olive grove is certified through Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and Canadian Organic Regime (COR). COR has a bilateral agreement with the United States of America. With COR accreditation, the Company is able to use the US National Organic Programme label to market product in the US. The Avon Valley property is "in-conversion", which means it is progressing through the 2-year period that must elapse before full certification is granted. Full organic certification for the remaining sections of Avon Vally and Twin Brooks and Dandaragan are expected in 2011.
Organic farming involves a system that avoids or largely excludes the use of synthetically compounded fertilisers, pesticides, growth regulators and other harmful or potentially harmful substances. However it is much more than merely not using synthetic chemicals. Active soil care, erosion control and efficient water usage are all part of the Kailis Organic and OOM ethos. Organic methodologies include crop rotation, mechanical cultivation and biological pest control, together with nutrient delivery utilising materials such as legumes, crop residues, animal manures, green manures, other organic wastes and mineral-bearing rocks.
Properties under OOM’s Management
Hopeland / Baldivis
Hopeland is home to the original olive grove and processing facility for Kailis Organic, located 60km from Perth. It is also the current home of the bottling and warehousing facility. With approximately 15 ha of land and approximately 5,000 trees in the ground, it is a fully certified organic property.
Preston Valley
Preston Valley is located in Donnybrook, Western Australia, in the Great Southern region, 235 kilometres from Perth. The property was fully certified organic in 2008 and has 234 ha of planted olive trees. Preston Valley enjoys a temperate climate with high rainfall throughout April and October.
Avon Valley
Avon Valley is located 130km east of Perth in Brookton. The property comprises two olive groves referred to as Beaming Hill and Bruvale. The total area of both properties is 1,360 ha with 724 ha of planted olive trees. The Avon Valley property is currently "in conversion" to organic, full endorsement is expected in 2011 for Beaming Hill and 2012 for Bruvale.
A state-of-the-art processing facility at Avon Valley was constructed in 2008. The processing plant operates continuously for a six week period during the harvest and processing season of May through June.
Twin Brooks
Twin Brooks is located in Red Gully, Gingin, approximately 90 kilometres north-east of Perth. The total area of the property is 1,605 ha, with 449 ha under management. OOM commenced management of the property in 2008, at which time the organic certification process began. Full organic certification is expected for the 2012 harvest.
Dandaragan
The Dandaragan olive grove is located approximately 8km east of the township of Dandaragan, approximately 170km north of Perth. The property totals 498 ha, of which approximately 388 ha is planted with olive trees. The property forms part of the Moore River region which has generally reliable rainfall due to coastal influences and a Mediterranean climate. OOM began managing Dandaragan in December 2008. The site also houses a Pieralisi processing facility, which the Company intends to upgrade and utilise in the future.