09 August 2024

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

Today's Top Story

Time running out to enter 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) – don’t miss out!

It’s now just two weeks until entries close for the 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA), so if you haven’t entered your products yet, the time to do so is NOW.

Australia’s premier olive competition, with international status and recognition, the AIOA offers a multitude of benefits – including the opportunity to be named Best of Show, and watch the sales orders roll in!

*The closing date for entries is Friday, 23 August, however the Chief Steward’s recommendation is for all Australian entries to be posted by 9 August to ensure they arrive on time. Yes, that’s today!

See full details and links for entry below in the Events section.

Australia

Reminder: check your devices ahead of 3G network shutdown

With the 3G network being officially turned off in the coming weeks, it’s crucial that all Australian farmers and those living in rural areas check their devices for compatibility with alternative networks.

Since its introduction in the early 2000s, the 3G network has been the backbone of connected services across the country, and particularly for those living in regional, rural and remote Australia. Telstra will cease its 3G network services on 31 August 2024, with Optus following suit in September, so NOW is the time to check that your phones and other devices are compatible with alternative networks – and to replace them if not.

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has produced an easy-reference guide to checking devices and coverage areas, and reporting service issues, available here.

Drones and DNA analysis could help Queensland communities better manage yellow crazy ants

Yellow crazy ants can have a devastating impact on wildlife. (Supplied: Wet Tropics Management Authority)

Purpose-built drones and DNA analysis are emerging tools that could help Queensland communities manage an invasive pest known as yellow crazy ants. Infestations of the ants have been found in areas including the Cairns, Townsville, the Whitsundays and Brisbane regions. There are calls for more state and federal government funding to help manage the pest.

And while we’re on pest infestation issues …

Buffel grass prompts bushfire warning as weed infests unprotected states

Buffel grass is spreading to more Australian states, posing a significant threat as climate change increases fire risk. In recent years, the highly flammable plant has fuelled devastating fires in the NT and on the Hawaiian island of Maui. An expert has called on the Australian government to declare buffel grass a weed of national significance.

Rex’s regional rivals eye an opportunity to expand into key routes

Some of the country’s smallest carriers see the collapse of their larger rival, Regional Express, as an opportunity, pushing for federal and state governments not to bail out the collapsed airline better known as Rex and instead hand over lucrative routes.

Pollution affecting pollinators and other beneficial insects, study finds

A European honey bee squeezing its head into a flower for pollen. (ABC Rural: Jeremy Jones)

Air pollution can disrupt pollination and the regulation of pest insects by 40 per cent, a study published in Nature Communications shows. Pollutants such as ozone impact bees and other bugs' ability to locate flowers and crops. An author of the study says farmers have a crucial role to play in working to reduce the stressors on beneficial insects.

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. 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.

Australia's food manufacturing industry worries rising costs will push supermarkets to use more imports

Australia produces an abundance of fresh food. But when it comes to processed foods - such as canned fruits, sauces or packets of chocolate, cereal and chips - you may find more and more of them being imported.

Table olives are one example: most supermarket brands are re-packaged imported product.

Australian horticulture to hit a $17.4b high

The latest ABARES Agricultural Outlook shows that horticulture values are expected to increase by $500 million, reaching a record $17.4 billion, due to improved growing conditions, high water availability, and lower input costs. The gross value of agricultural production is forecast to rise by 2% to $84 billion in 2024–25.

More information here.

Bega's bid to become a circular economy to reduce waste

The Bega Valley is attempting to become Australia's most circular economy. In a circular economy, what would normally be a waste product is used again so fewer resources are needed. The group behind the push hopes what is learnt in Bega can become a blueprint for the rest of Australia.

Food for thought …

Events

Entries now open for Hunter Olive Show 2024

The Hunter Olive Show 2024 is open and receiving entries, with organisers receiving the first oil entries this week.

The long-running rural show aims to help new oil and table olive producers gauge and promote the quality of their olive products. Entry fees are actively kept low, while judging panels include local, state and national competition judges. Their feedback is particularly helpful to new producers.

Entries for Table Olives and Tapenades close on 30 August.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Flavoured Oil entries will be accepted until 13 September, to enable inclusion of later-harvested Tasmanian products.

Full entry details are available on the Hunter Olive Association website here.

Webinar: Victoria's spring seasonal outlook

In this webinar, Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey will discuss the recent seasonal conditions including rainfall, temperature and deep soil moisture levels across the state.

The session will also look at what the latest global model forecasts for spring, and share information on the dry seasons support available to farmers.

Climate Specialist Graeme Anderson, and Dale, will delve deeper into the current seasonal risks and help bust some common myths around making sense of forecasts.

Details: Wednesday, 14 August @ 12-1pm AEST. Register here.

Last weeks to enter 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) – don’t miss out!

It’s now just two weeks until entries close for the 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA), so if you haven’t entered your products yet, the time to do so is NOW.

Australia’s premier olive competition, with international status and recognition, the AIOA offers a multitude of benefits including:

Entries are assessed and awarded on merit by a team of Australian and international judges.
assessment by internationally trained judges;
comprehensive judging feedback for every entry;
successful judging provides eligibility for OliveCare® certification;
international recognition of winning products and producers;
inclusion in Official Results Book - an impressive marketing tool for all medal and award winners;
access to professional product images from the Results Book at only $35+GST – a fraction of the price of your own professional photography.

Find out more and enter here, or if you need assistance with your entries please contact Competition Convenor & Chief Steward Trudie Michels on 0419 031 527 or aioa@australianolives.com.au.

Key dates

Entries Close: 23 August 2024

Medal winners announced: 7 October 2024 via email

Major Award winners announced: 2024 AIOA Presentation Dinner, 25 October, Bendigo, VIC

2024 Platinum Sponsor

AgEnviro Labs

2024 AOA National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition

Registration is now open for the 2024 AOA National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition, being held in Bendigo, VIC from 23-25 October.

This year’s program includes:

Plenary sessions
EVOO blending workshop
Trade exhibition
Conference Dinner
Field tour - Wednesday 23 (optional – additional ticket required)
2024 Australian International Olive Awards Presentation Dinner – Friday 25 (optional – additional ticket required)

Find out more and register here

The National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition is facilitated by the Australian Olive Association, partially funded by Hort Innovation using the Olive R&D levy, with in-kind contributions from the Australian Olive Association and funding from the Australian Government. The event is also supported by a range of industry sponsors and exhibitors, the Melbourne Convention Bureau and the Victorian Government.

International

World's largest olive oil producer calls for 'transformation' amid industry challenges

Rivas-Vaciamadrid: Deoleo, the world's largest olive oil producer, has declared the need for a "profound transformation" as the industry faces unprecedented challenges. The company, known for brands such as Bertolli and Carbonell, highlights a combination of climate change, soaring prices, high interest rates, and robust inflation as key factors impacting the olive oil value chain.

And in a similar vein …

Ancient olive trees key to protecting region’s ecology and economy

Climate change requires rethinking agricultural practices; and a collaboration between Certified Origins and one of Catalonia, Spain’s oldest environmental NGOs is a model for enhancing conservation efforts and sustainable practices in the olive oil industry.

Researchers identify 30 new olive varieties in Aragón

An interdisciplinary research group in Aragón has identified 30 new olive varieties among the autonomous community’s centenarian trees. The five groups participating in the project, coordinated by Olivos de Aragón, identified 96 varieties in the west of the autonomous community.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

We’re now half way through the year and the Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) team continues 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!

Open source AI model accurately predicted olive oil prices

Olive oil prices around the world have reached historic highs due to poor harvests caused by drought and high springtime temperatures in key producing countries, most notably Spain.

I just found out where the worst place to store olive oil is, and everyone I know keeps it there

We’ve written before at HuffPost UK about how you probably shouldn’t be cooking your potatoes for mash in water. We’ve even shared that you should be using more than just oil when frying your eggs.

But what about where you should store that oil in the first place?

One to share on your socials … consumer-focussed storage advice with the added message that EVOO should be bought and eaten quickly, while at its best.

Increased production in 2024 expected to lower olive oil prices, producers say

Greek olive oil production is expected to be moderate to good this year, according to current forecasts for 2024, the president of the National Interprofessional Olive Oil Organization (EDOE), Manolis Giannoulis, told state-run Athens-Macedonian News Agency.