New Makako-GF677 almond plantation

Once again, we will analyze different plantations and crops, focusing on woody crops to the detriment of cereals and pulse vegetables. It is true that our favorite woody crop is the olive grove, but, on this occasion, we have chosen the almond tree in order to diversify our farm . We have evaluated different plantation options and we have deduced that the field for this plantation is more favorable for almond trees. So, we are already involved in the cultivation of almond trees and even thinking that if these trees are doing well this year, we probably will expand our farm with more almond plants next year. 

The garden center where we always buy the plant, Viveros Casilla de Bayo, recommended planting the Makako variety, which is an extra late flowering variety (it will flower about 15 days later than usual). The rootstock we used was GF677. The hybrid GF677 has a medium tolerance to root asphyxia and drought, which is well adapted to chalky soils, it tolerates iron chlorosis, but it is a nematode sensitive rootstock. It confers high vigor. Therefore, we have followed the recommendations that Horacio (owner of the nursery) has made to us. 

Another decision to be taken was the planting frame. Our friend Juan, from Almendras Aljemí, encouraged us to plant in a frame of 7x6 meters in order to have a few more trees per hectare. Horacio also noted that he likes this planting frame for the almond tree and, in particular, for Makako as this variety does not involve a very bulky tree. But speaking to other farmers in our area, they all indicated that a 7x7 meter frame would be the best to be able to work without problems... so the definitive planting frame selected has been 7x7 meters. 

We are going to show you the evolution of the almond trees and we are sure that we will learn new things as the trees grow and share them with you.

Versión en español.

Olive grove. Autumn treatment

In this article we are talking about the third phytosanitary treatment in the olive grove this year. Since, we have already shown you the fruit set (June) and pre-flowering (April). On this occasion, we go with the autumn season, which in addition to nutrition, we are taking advantage to prevent some diseases such as the olive fly. In each treatment, the products we use to optimize the growth and development of the olive tree and the olives are different, always following the recommendations of our advisor Rafael Navarro. This time the treatment is based on copper and potassium sulphate, although we use other products to help nourish the tree and fatten the olives.

This autumn treatment is usually takes place in October, but this time we had to advance it until the end of September as we have had rain and the humidity could bring forward the arrival of the olive fly. In this respect, we have carried out a preventive treatment with the product Sikori (from Tradecorp) based on the active ingredient Acetamiprid. As you can see in the photos, the olives this year look superb... or maybe they did.

We say they had, because a few days ago we had some hail and many of the olives fell to the ground and others were damaged. We believe that it was not a major problem, but it will certainly have an impact on this year's yield, which seemed to be optimal. The last pictures show the state of the olives after the hail.

After this, there is little work left until the harvest: some manure spreading on some fields and soil management to control weeds... We will show you this work and give you a summary of the year.

Versión en español.

GST Biostar: Mechanical weed control and fertilisation improvements

Last summer we were contacted by Jacob Gubi (one of the owners of the company GST Denmark). He wanted us to publish a post about his company and the implements they manufacture so that Spanish farmers could get to know them. So here is a short presentation of GST Denmark sent to us by Jacob: 

“It all started back in 2013, on our own farm. We had the challenge that on our organic farming we could not drive in small crops with the harrow, it destroyed too much and it took too long. The idea started with the fact that there were other manufacturers on the market who made a crust loosener, and the idea for our Biostar comes from this concept. We wanted a machine with high capacity - easy to operate - very little yield loss - no tracks/support wheels - Durable for stones - easy to control in different soil types. So a friend and I made a machine (Biostar) for our farm in the winter of 2013-14. We changed a lot in the first season but got our wishes fulfilled. Then some farmers came the following year and wanted to buy this particular machine because they had seen its impressive work and seen our quality. 

In 2019 we founded GST Denmark as we could now produce our GST Biostar full-time and sell it to order, at the same time we got a large amount of Biostar patented. The team behind GST Denmark today consists of approx. 12 people and only focus on the Biostar machine, all of whom are passionate about delivering quality and having satisfied customers. We have now expanded production several times with a production capacity of more than 250 pieces annually, in all sizes from 3 to 14 meters. For season 2023, we have delivered more than 90 machines and expect more than 125 for this season. We sell in most of the world, from organic to conventional farms and basically all kinds of crops.” 

Regarding the GST Biostar machine, these would be its main features:   

• It can be used since the plant is at a height of about 3 cm up to about 20 cm, and with a yield loss of less than 2%. 
• The capacity is large when we drive between 15-25 km/h and with the largest of 14 m working width, we can probably manage more than 20 ha/hour. 
• The purpose of GST Biostar is mechanical weed control - soil crust solution - improved fertilization all this in one work step. 
• As an extra, we have built Biostar with Sowing machine (patented) which can easily sow crops that are especially used for winter green fields and sub-sowing for cereal crops, as well as other sowing tasks. 

Now that you are familiar with GST Denmark, we would like to encourage all tool importer companies to contact Jacob Gubi so that Spanish farmers can buy these fantastic implements.

Versión en español.