The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling on Murray Darling Basin governments to make needed changes to the Basin Plan to give farmers confidence and certainty as they help in the nation's COVID-19 recovery. VFF Water Council Chair Richard Anderson said governments needed to take action at the forthcoming Ministerial Council meeting to fix the failures of the Plan that are undermining Australia's economic recovery.

Just 30 Australian farms have signed up to a government scheme designed to ensure workers are not exploited, The New Daily can reveal – despite job-seekers continuing to be shepherded into the industry. 

The scheme, called Fair Farms, is frequently championed by industry groups and the federal government to defend the ‘clean up’ of Australia’s horticulture industry, where exploitation of workers is a chronic issue.

Summer is set to be wet, according to the official outlook from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). Despite it being relatively dry over the past few weeks the La Niña declared back in September is still strong, according to BOM senior climatologist Andrew Watkins.

It is still a few days out from the official start of summer, but the heat is set to ramp up this week and residents are being urged to heed health warnings. Severe heatwave conditions are set to stretch across the continent - from north-west to the south-east - as heat is drawn down from the centre.

Got something to sell, or want to buy? Go direct to your target market – olive growers and producers - like Tom, who’s selling a harvester, and Michael, who’s looking for Kalamata table olives

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, extra oil - or even your grove. Tom is selling a Manitou telehandler harvester so he came to us to help spread the word, as did Michael, who’s keen to buy bulk Kalamata table olives. He knows that 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.

 

AUSVEG, Australia’s peak industry body for the vegetable and potato industries, has backed the calls of Australia’s fruit industries for common sense to prevail with the Health Star Ratings to ensure consumers have simple, clear information around the health of the products they buy.

The Victorian Government has announced a major budget boost to improve facilities and teaching at agricultural colleges and training providers across the state. Delivered over four years, the Agricultural College Modernisation Program will provide $50 million for to help agriculture colleges and other training providers to upgrade the facilities they need to upskill future farmers and agriculture professionals. Find out more here.

Tensions between Australia and China have reached new heights with Beijing releasing a list of 14 grievances with Canberra. It’s a move that only tightens the already strained relations between Australia and China, which has our exporters caught squarely in the middle.

National Farmers Federation CEO Tony Mahar told Deborah Knight farmers are encouraging the government to work something out and “not to get into a further diplomatic tussle or debacle”.

Almost one quarter of Australians say the recent pandemic has made them more mindful of where their food comes from, according to a recent research.

Western Australian food and beverage manufacturers can now apply for vouchers valued up to $10 000 to engage consultants or technical experts to help grow their business.

The Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program supports SMEs to overcome potential barriers to growth, reduce risks around planned expenditure and capture new opportunities for growth. This round also supports primary producers looking to transition to manufacturing to take steps towards producing value-added food and beverages.

More information here.

Learn how sharing knowledge and resources can improve decision making and yield better results. Hear the stories of neighboring farmers who have collaborated to achieve greater performance and profitability.

Stories include how regenerative farmer, director and actor, Rachel Ward and neighbour Mick Green joined their herds together and started cell grazing.

Details: Thursday, 3 December, 7pm AEST – free. More information and register here.

Online entry for the Olive Japan 2021 International Olive Oil Competition is now open, with the deadline for receipt of entries 7 May 2021.

Judging will be undertaken in mid-May and the winners will be announced on 25 May, 2021.

More information and enter here.

The Olives New Zealand AGM will be held in March 2021 and will be preceded by the Branch AGMs. The 2021 event will be held via Zoom, enabling easy attendance by all members.

The positions of President, Vice President and Treasurer will be due for election. 

Executive Officer Gayle Sheridan said that, while the present incumbents are happy to be nominated, other nominations are also welcome. Further information will be sent to members in January 2021.

For growers who are not already members of the organisation, the coming new operational year is a great time to join and play your part in the national industry body and its activities, which promote and benefit all New Zealand producers. Contact Gayle at admin@olivesnz.org.nz to find out more.

The COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on many campus activities. However, the newly founded Arini Global was not one of them. Through Arini Global, students with a passion for entrepreneurship at NCC get a chance to work in co-operation with olive farmers in the small village of Arini, Greece.

Provided you prepare your own food ... ever, you’ve got a bottle of olive oil in the pantry—it’s one of the most versatile ingredients in a cook’s arsenal, good for everything from dressings, to dipping, to sautéing. But there are a few factors to consider when selecting the ideal bottle for your specific kitchen needs. 

Though the contents of their bottles look similar on the grocery store shelf, olive oils tend to vary widely in price. A one-liter bottle of extra virgin olive oil might cost $6.99. A few bottles away, a half-liter vessel might cost twice as much. Is paying for better olive oil worth it?

Agriculture, land reform and rural development minister Thoko Didiza has announced the introduction of a updated levy on olive suppliers in a bid to grow South Africa’s local olive industry.

Tests show that high vacuum-assisted extraction technologies increase polyphenols and lower volatile compounds in extra virgin olive oils. Further tests are needed to understand their impact on yields.

Most extra virgin olive oil does not meet EU requirements, according to new research by the Finnish Customs Laboratory. In a press release, customs revealed that the laboratory tested nine different varieties of extra virgin olive oil this year, and over half failed to comply with quality standards.  

The year is flying past, and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) 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!

The nation’s leading manufacturer of table olives says this year’s California harvest was devastatingly low. What the statement failed to mention is the heavy-handed role the company played in the devastation.

13-Nov-2020 By Oliver Morrison

The online sector is bullish on its prospects for attracting and retaining market share.

Do you have a favourite tree? In a year when we have all spent more time outdoors and rekindled our love of nature, that might be more likely than ever. Sadly, the threat to our trees is real and increasing, from climate change but also global trade practices, which, if unchecked, enable the fast-spreading of pest and disease.

AOA office closure 

2021 Olives New Zealand AGM

Soil CRC Participants Conference

Entries close, Berlin Global Olive Oil Awards – Berlin, Germany

Entries close, OLIVE JAPAN 2021 International Olive Oil Competition

Entries close, EVO IOOC 2021 – Palmi, Italy

Farm2Plate Exchange 2021 – Scenic Rim, Qld

Winners announced, OLIVE JAPAN 2021 International Olive Oil Competition

Hort Connections 2021 – Brisbane, Qld

2021 National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition - Devonport, Tasmania

To include your event, or update your existing event details, email FOE editor Gerri Nelligan at editor@olivegrower.com.au

Friday Olive Extracts Editorial editor@olivegrower.com.au

Advertising: editor@olivegrower.com.au

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