GO OLIVITECH: Precision Technology for Sustainable Olive Growing

Olive growing faces major challenges due to climate change and the increasing demand for sustainable and profitable production. One of the main issues affecting olive groves is the efficient management of fungal diseases.

Traditionally, the approach to combating these diseases has been the application of phytosanitary treatments, which imply a high economic cost and a significant environmental impact (for example, we usually apply four treatments during the year). However, the digitalisation of agriculture opens a new era, not only in production management, but also in the phytosanitary management of olive groves.

This is where GO OLIVITECH comes into play. Its goal is to revolutionise plant health management in olive groves through the use of automatic aerobiological sensors, big data analysis and predictive models. By anticipating the emergence of diseases, OLIVITECH aims to optimise phytosanitary treatments.

How does OLIVITECH work?

The system developed by OLIVITECH integrates meteorological, aerobiological and phenological data to establish a predictive model of the evolution of diseases in olive groves. Its technical approach is based on three fundamental pillars:

Real-Time Monitoring with Aerobiological Collectors

• The samplers collect air samples and identify spores of key pathogens.

Phenological and Meteorological Data Integration

In addition to aerobiological information, OLIVITECH incorporates data on:

• Olive Phenology: Analyses the different stages of crop development to identify critical periods of susceptibility to diseases.
• Weather Conditions: Monitors temperature, relative humidity and precipitation, which are key factors in the spread of fungal pathogens.
• Symptomatology History: Assesses disease occurences from previous campaigns to improve the accuracy of the predictive model.

Predictive Modelling and Early Warning Tools

All the information collected is processed using data mining and machine learning algorithms, enabling:

• Prediction of fungal attacks one week in advance.
• Identification of critical sporulation thresholds to recommend or rule out treatments.
• Optimisation of pesticides use, reducing unnecessary applications.

In our experience, having a personalised alert system gives us a new level of insight into the crop, allowing us to take action at the right time and avoid unnecessary treatments.

Technical and economic benefits of OLIVITECH

If we focus on an economic and environmental point of view, we can highlight the following:

1. Reduced Production Costs
• Fewer chemical treatments.
• Reduced working hours and use of machinery.
• Improved efficiency in the application of treatments.
2. Enhanced Sustainability and Regulatory Compliance
• Lower pollution of water, soil, and air due to reduced use of phytosanitary products.
• Supports production under ecological criteria.
• Lower environmental impact and better alignment with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027.
3. Improved Competitiveness of the Olive Sector
• Advanced management tool based on precision agriculture.
• Greater resulience to climate change and emerging phytosanitary threats.
• Increased profitability and access to new export markets.

Who is involved in the OLIVITECH project?

The OLIVITECH Task Force is made up of a consortium of entities from different fields:

• Universities and Research Centres
• University of Vigo (UVigo)
• University of Córdoba (UCO)
• Olive Sector Companies
• Aceites Abril S.L.
• Deoleo Global
• Oleand Manzanilla Olive S.Coop.And.
• Innovation and applied technology
• Monet Tecnología e Innovación S.L.
• Coordination and knowledge transfer
• FEUGA

Funding and institutional support

OLIVITECH is an innovation project within the framework of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC) 2023-2027, 80% financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) of the European Union and 20% by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), with a total budget of €551,196.27 and a total grant of €543,206.47.

Conclusion: A More Precise Future for Olive Groves

The advancement of precision agriculture and the integration of aerobiological technology with predictive models allow us to evolve towards more efficient and sustainable disease control. Undoubtedly, we will have more tools to make management much more efficient as we can make decisions based on real data. 

By making data-driven decisions through a more efficient management. We can minimise costs and environmental impacts based on real data without compromising olive oil production and quality.

Versión en español.

Agro Influye contest. Vote!

¡We need your help! ¡We need your vote!

As we have already mentioned in our RRSS, we are one of the finalists in the Agro Influye contest and more specifically in the ‘Maquinero’ category.

The competition has a popular voting period, which we are now in until 10 March, so we need your vote.

It is very simple (no registration required): 

1. Visit the competition website.
2. Go to "Maquinero" category.
3. You select us (Herminio and Joaquín Tribaldos Campos).
4. Vote for us.

¡Vote!

Thank you very much.

Rainfall in 2024

As we do every year, we have analysed the annual rainfall data for our area and prepare this report to share the results with you. The data are highly localized(La Alberca de Záncara - Cuenca) but we believe the precipitation pattern could be representative to the central area of Spain, where rainfall is generally lower than in the northern and southern regions. 

The best word to describe 2024 might be "extraordinary". It was extraordinary because we had record harvests thanks to the 521 litres of rain . While this amount is close to the 24-year average, what truly stood out was the excellent distribution of rainfall throughout the year. Unlike in previous years, when we noted that it rained the same amount but at the wrong times. In 2024, the rain was well-timed and beneficial.

The first quarter was particularly rainy, ensuring a very good nascence. April and May were less rainy but the soil had reserves and the rains in June made for a record harvest. Our barley yield averaged 6,500 kg/ha, nearly double the usual 3,500 kg/ha.

Looking at the daily rainfall graph, we can see that it rained almost every 15 days, resembling an irrigated area. This pattern is also evident in the seasonal rainfall graph, where all seasons, including summer, were quite rainy.

In summary, 2024 will be remembered as a fantastic year for field crops (cereals, pulse vegetables, sunflowers, etc.), a stark contrast to previous years. However, it's worth noting that the year ended with very little rainfall, as November and December were particularly dry. Fortunately, January and February 2025 have been rainy so far, allowing crops to hold up well. We’ll see if this translates into another good harvest... stay tuned for next year’s report! 

Versión en español.

Sales of new agricultural machinery during 2024, in Spain

A fitting headline to describe new agricultural machinery sales in Spain in 2024 is ‘2024 was a good year’. As we will see below, sales have increased compared to 2023... although this was fairly easy to predict, given that 2023 was a catastrophic year for the sector in general.

Focusing on tractor sales, figures have returned to levels similar to those before 2023. This year, 10,452 units were sold, representing a 20% increase from last year. It is important to note that we are using data from ROMA, which includes ATVs, telehandlers, etc. If we exclude all vehicles of these types, the actual number of tractors sold would be around 8,740 units, 1,000 more than in 2023.

Regarding  tractor sales are concerned, the following should be highlighted:

• John Deere remains the market leader, and together with New Holland, they account for 33% of total sales.
• Deutz-Fahr and Case IH consolidate their positions in 4th and 5th place, respectively.
• Fendt continues to grow in unit sales, reaching 829 tractors sold this year.
• Landini and McCormick have seen a significant decline in sales, possibly being the only brands to register a decrease compared to 2023.
• Fendt and Claas continue to dominate high horsepower tractors.

In terms of new machinery sold, 2024 sales figures are very similar to those of 2023. The total number of new machineris sold is higher this year, but this increase is primarily due to tractors and trailers. The sales trend for other types of machinery remains stable or even declining compared to 2023. On this occasion, a total of 31,678 new machines were sold, compared to 30,953 in 2023.

Key figures include:

• New trailer sales: 3,159 units (vs. 2,885 in 2023).
• Soil tillage machinery: 2,724 units (vs. 3,530 in 2023).
• Seed drills: 1,343 units (vs. 1,353 in 2023).
• Crop protection machinery: 6,157 units (vs. 6,057 in 2023).
• Spreaders and fertilization machinery: 1,873 units (vs. 1,825 in 2023).
• Harvesters: 2,182 units (vs. 2,239 in 2023).

Sales of combine harvesters have dropped significantly, with 177 units sold compared to 217 in 2023. Claas remains in first place and consolidates its leadership in this segment. This market is dominated by Claas, New Holland, and John Deere, which together account for 86% of total sales. However, this year, Fendt (10 units), Deutz-Fahr (9 units), and Case IH (4 units) have achieved a notable market share.

Finally, sales of new self-propelled grape harvesters have seen a significant increase, reaching 103 units (compared to 93 in 2023). New Holland once again leads this segment, capturing 68% of the market. The sales volume for this type of machinery remains stable at around 100 units, which reflects a strong outlook for vineyards, almond, and olive groves.

Data sources: ROMA and www.masquemaquina.com

Versión en español.

Fendt 600 Vario Series. High-power tractors with 4-cylinder engines

Let's start by putting the evolution of 4-cylinder tractors into context, so we can clearly see the leap Fendt has made with its new 600 Series. A few years ago, 4-cylinder tractors were primarily focused on the mid-power range (around 100 hp). These tractors were mainly used for support tasks such as spraying, fertilization, and seeding with small drills—tasks that require less pulling power but benefit from high maneuverability and low fuel consumption.

However, things changed when 4-cylinder tractors began reaching up to 180 hp, such as the Fendt 516. These tractors were no longer just for lighter tasks; they were versatile enough to handle heavy-duty work like pulling large cultivators, fast disc harrows, or ploughs.

With the new 600 Vario series, Fendt goes one step further offering a tractor with a 4-cylinder engine, but clearly positioned in the high-horsepower segment with up to 224 hp in the Fendt 620 model. So, based on this vision, I was eager to get to know this new 600 series and it didn't disappoint. We will now tell you about our working day and explain the main features of this new series.

Over the Christmas holidays, we had the opportunity to visit Luquero Pinilla Farm in Chatún (Segovia), where they had just received a Fendt 620 Profi+ Vario. One pleasant surprise on our arrival was that they already owned five other Fendt tractors (including a Fendt 728 Gen7), so they were very familiar with the brand (you can see more in our videos). In this farm they are very dedicated to fruit and vegetable crops such as potatoes, carrots, onions, leeks,... and some cereals. A very horticultural area that is always very interesting to visit.

The main features that we highlight of the new Fendt 600 series are:

• New AGCO Power CORE50 4-cylinder 5-litre engines.
• Fendt iD low-rev concept and Dynamic Performance system for extra power.
• Four models ranging from 164hp to 224hp.
• VarioDrive transmission.
• Reaches 40 km/h at 1,100 rpm and 50 km/h at 1,300 rpm.
• 2.72m wheelbase.
• Unladen weight of 7.7 tonnes and maximum permissible weight (at 50km/h) of 13.5 tonnes.
• Hydraulic pump up to 205 l/min.
• Up to 65 litres of removable oil.
• Fendt ONE cab and operator's cab Fendt ONE.

In the final part of our day in Chatún (Segovia), we went to the field where we could see and test the tractor at work. Victor, one of the three brothers on the farm, pointed out several things he saw in the tractor, such as:

• Fuel Efficiency: The engine’s fuel consumption is impressively moderate and compares favorably to 6-cylinder engines.
• VarioDrive Transmission: The tractor experienced minimal slip, showing just 2%, while other tractors with different transmissions were closer to 10%.
• Turning Radius: The turning radius is very small (around 10 m), making it ideal for horticultural work where space is often limited.
• Fendt ONE Cab: The Fendt ONE cab remains one of the best in the market in terms of comfort and ergonomics.
• Versatility: The tractor is highly versatile for horticultural tasks that require high hydraulic flow and excellent maneuverability.

In short, a new Fendt 600 series that replaces the prestigious Fendt 700 Gen6 series and that we are sure to see many tractors in our Spanish fields. We were really impressed by it!

Versión en español