22 September 2023

Brought to you by Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor www.olivebiz.com.au

Today's Top Story

Summer of severe heat predicted as Bureau of Meteorology declares El Niño

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has declared two major climate drivers linked to hot, dry conditions are officially underway in Australia, prompting further warnings that extreme heat could hit this spring and summer. After months of anticipation, BOM has confirmed the world's most consequential climate driver, the El Niño weather pattern, is active over the Pacific for the first time in eight years.

Australia

And so we all know exactly what that means …

Understanding El Niño

Now commonly referred to as just El Niño, the climatic phenomenon is a part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation, which also features its sister phase, La Nina.

Heads of Cadia Newcrest gold mine front inquiry, apologise over 'breakdown' in community relations

Dust emissions from Cadia gold mine near Orange triggered the parliamentary inquiry. (Supplied: Nicole Fagan)

The head of a New South Wales mine facing criminal charges has used a public inquiry to apologise to residents near Australia's biggest gold operation after they raised health concerns about dust coming from its site.

Growers in the Mudgee region are hoping the inquiry may positively influence the previous approval of a new mine in that area.

Supermarkets slow to support use-by-date labeling reforms as food waste soars, says think tank

Supermarkets reaping big profits are slow to support the removal of unnecessary use-by-date labels as Australian food waste soars, according to information gathered by The Australia Institute.

Got something to sell? Or want to buy? Go direct to your target market – olive growers and producers

If you’ve got something industry-related to sell, you can reach your target market directly with Olivebiz Classifieds. Our online Classifieds service is an easy and inexpensive solution to advertising your unwanted equipment. Or like Judi, your olive grove. And if there’s something you’re looking for, it’s the ideal way to get the message out loud and clear to your peers and industry associates – the most likely to have what you need.

Olivebiz Classifieds cost just $40 for AOA members ($100 for non-members), including a text ad and link through to either your web page or images hosted on our site. And you don’t need to be a tech-head: just send us your info and we’ll post it up for you.

Olivebiz Classifieds are online now at www.olivebiz.com.au/classifieds. To arrange a listing, contact Gerri at editor@olivegrower.com.au.

GROWER TO GROWER

Have a question? Need some advice? Ask a fellow grower!

The FOE team regularly hears from growers with questions about grove or production practices, or equipment, that they just can’t find the answers to. They’re things other producers are likely know about and/or experienced themselves. So we’ve set up a new Friday Olive Extracts feature, Grower to Grower, where you can send your questions and have them answered by your peers.

Just send the details to editor@olivegrower.com.au and we’ll put them out to the Friday Olive Extracts community - that’s thousands of readers across the globe.

Australia abandons efforts to eradicate deadly parasite varroa mite after 15 months

Australia will cease efforts to eradicate varroa mite and transition to management of the deadly bee parasite. About 30,000 hives have been euthanased by authorities since varroa mite was detected 15 months ago in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle.

Australia's fire alert system explained as El Niño sets scene for drier than average summer

Here's what a 'Catastrophic' fire danger rating actually means.

It is only September and already Australia's fire danger dial has been swung to red on several occasions. With projections for a hot and dry end to 2023 under the El Niño climate pattern, and increased fuel loads across some parts of the country, it is unlikely to be the last warning like it. So when you see a rating of extreme and catastrophic fire danger, what is it actually telling you? And what should you be doing?

Opportunities

VIC: Horticulture farms - decision fatigue & leadership workshops

These sessions will focus on how decision fatigue affects our leadership and safety on farms.

Part of the Victorian Fresh Produce Network, this is part of a larger WorkSafe Victoria Safety Learning Network pilot project. The workshops are free to attend.

Shepparton: 9 Oct 2023, 4pm-6pm - register here.

Mildura: 10 Oct 2023, 4pm-6pm - register here.

Lindenow: 12 Oct 2023, 4pm-6pm - register here.

Grants and Programs Finder: unlock new business opportunities

If you’re doing business in Australia, the Grants and Programs Finder is a great tool to explore government funding that could be available to you.

This guided search will help you find grants, funding and support programs from across government. Answer a few questions about your business to find grants and programs you may be eligible for.

Access the Grants and Programs Finder here.

Events

CSIRO Conversations: Exploring the future of food

Hear how research, industry and commercial partners are coming together to accelerate a healthy and sustainable future for food.

Details:

Friday 6 October, 11am to 12pm AEDT.

Free. Register here to join the conversation .

2023 Australian International Olive Awards Presentation Dinner - don’t miss the chance to accept YOUR Award(s)!

The countdown is on to the announcement of the Australian International Olive Awards winners, celebrating this year’s outstanding products and rewarding the efforts of our most successful producers. For many, including the winners of the Best of Show titles, it’s a business-changing outcome, and if you’ve entered your EVOO, flavoured oil or table olives this year, it could be you.

Food, wine, friends and celebrations

The major awards will be revealed at the 2023 Australian International Olive Awards Presentation Dinner, being held in conjunction with the National Olive Industry Conference & Exhibition in Canberra, ACT.

The event is always a great night, enjoying good food and wine while catching up with old friends, making new ones, and celebrating the achievements of this year’s most successful producers.

Official AIOA winners’ photographs

The AOA has once again booked a professional photographer to cover the event, capturing the night’s celebrations and recording the winners with trophies and sashes. The images are used in media coverage and promotions throughout the following year and beyond, and can also be provided for your own promotional use.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the fun and celebrations, and hopefully to collect your winner’s trophy. Seating is limited, so book your tickets now!

Details:

2023 Australian International Olive Awards Presentation Dinner

Friday, 27 October from 6.30pm - Ann Harding Conference Centre, Bruce, ACT

Book your tickets here.

Major sponsors:

OLIVE GROVE

FOR SALE

Established Organic Olive Grove, Northern Tasmania. Three titles with Mersey River frontage and warm spring. Trout fishing and resident platypus. Two bedroom brick home. Mature fruit trees.

Offers over $650k.

Serious buyers only.

Phone Judi on 0407380885.

New Zealand

Researchers recruit bacteria to prevent fungal diseases

But Lincoln Agritech scientists believe that altering the bacteria associated with disease-causing fungi will lead to new strategies to protect crops.

Top olive oil producer is on a mission

From left, Ricardo Simari [agronomist], Fabrizio Vitaloni [agronomist], Matariki Gemmell [Māori olive cadet], Rod Lingard [chairman], Taiawhio Gemmell [Māori olive cadet]. Photo/Rebecca King.

After a disappointing harvest, the country’s top olive oil producer - The Olive Press - is putting in the hard yards to rejuvenate the lower North Island’s olive groves in preparation for early summer flowering.

2023 NZ EVOO Awards Weekend

2022 NZ EVOO Awards Best in Show winners, Waikawa Glen

Olives NZ is gearing up for the Olives NZ Awards Weekend 2023, being held in Hawke’s Bay on 30 September to 1 October inclusive. The weekend’s activities include:

NZ EVOO Awards Cocktail Evening

Saturday, 30 September from 5.30pm at the Century Theatre Foyer, MTG Hawke's Bay, Napier.

With 119 entries into the Awards, the star of the weekend will be the 2023 New Zealand Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards presentation. Mix and mingle with a cocktail hour, before heading into a seated theatre for Awards presentation. Celebrate with the winners back in the foyer over a feasting table.

Cost $150 per person.

Reni's Olive Oil Tasting

Saturday, 30 September, 12.30-2.30pm at Telegraph Hill Olivery, 1279 Howard Street, Hastings.

Cost $60 ONZ members, $120 non-members.

Field Day

Sunday, 1 October 10am-12pm at Arataki Grove, 19 Albany Lane, Havelock North.

The field day will look at the management program that has been undertaken over the last four years, covering the period after first harvest in 2019, grafting the Kalamata block and planting this year.

Free for members, $50 for non-members

More details and register here.

International

Olive oil thefts rising in mills and supermarkets across Spain

Officials across Spain are struggling to address the growing problem of thefts of olives and olive oil from groves, mills and supermarkets.

It’s so bad that retailers are turning to anti-theft collars to protect their olive oil stocks! And consumers are taking other measures …

Spanish rush to Portugal to buy cheaper olive oil

While for years Portuguese citizens living closer to the border have travelled to Spain to fill up their car tanks due to substantially lower fuel prices, it seems Spanish are now doing the same … but for olive oil.

Contract Olive Pruning - Riverland Pruning & Harvest

All aspects of olive pruning - tree training,

re-shaping, re-juvenate,

pruning for shaker or hand harvesting.

All tools supplied.

Fully licensed and insured.

Servicing all areas of SA, VIC and NSW.

Contact Rajab – 0469 718 719

rajabnassiri510@yahoo.com

In climate fight, Europe's olive, wine farmers turn to tech and tradition

Farmers in Spain and Italy are turning to techniques ancient and modern to safeguard production of regional favourites including olive oil and Prosecco as climate change forces them to rapidly adapt.

Syria restricts olive oil exports as harvest outlook worsens

Olive oil production in Syria is expected to fall by 50 percent in the 2023/24 crop year. Authorities have banned exports to prevent price rises.

Butter beware, olive oil is conquering French kitchens

It's more than just a fat. Nor even a seasoning or condiment. For its growing number of aficionados, olive oil is an object of desire, if not of worship.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

The year is racing by and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) continues and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) will continue to bring all the latest industry news and events to your Inbox every week. THE place to share olive industry news, event details and reminders, our industry e-newsletter keeps growing in popularity and we now have nearly 4000 subscribers across the globe. If you’re not one of them, you can sign up here.

And please remember that FOE is YOUR e-newsletter, so we’re keen to receive your news and help spread the word. Just email your information to Editor Gerri Nelligan at editor@olivegrower.com.au - it’s free, and the best way to reach your fellow industry members!

Storms in Greece flood olive groves, damage trees

Heavy rain and hailstorms swept across Greece, damaging olive trees ahead of the upcoming harvest and raising concerns over the spread of disease.

Organic growers rely on traditional and new natural methods to combat fly

Sardines, horse urine and yeast are just a few of the ingredients used by organic olive farmers across the Mediterranean to protect their crops from the olive fruit fly.

Training young farmers on climate-smart practices in California

Woodland, California.

Across California, the need for new farmers, climate-based soil research and innovative approaches to agriculture continues to increase. The Center for Land-Based Learning in Woodland, near Sacramento, is one of the organizations trying to find solutions to some of these challenges.