Louise Ferguson, Bill Krueger, Sergio Castro, Uriel Rosa and Paul Vossen convened at the Rabadoa Ranch near Beja, Portugal, September 11 - 12, 2008 to test the Colossus olive harvester developed by MaqTec, Inc., an Argentine company specializing in  harvesting equipment. The model used in these trials was similiar to the one tested in Argentina in May 2008. The objective was to observe the harvester in operation in an olive orchard, and to assess harvester-related injury to the olive trees and fruit. 

The trial was conducted in a 5 year old planting of olive cv. 'hojblanca'. Olives were sampled at several points in the harvest pathway and assessed for injury.

• The Team and Cooperators
• 2008 Rabadoa Ranch Trials Photo Album

• Details and results of the trial: (in preparation)