26 July 2024

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

Today's Top Story

A contaminated cooking oil scandal in China has provoked outrage and raised fears over safety

Trucks used to transport cooking oil, soybean oil and syrup in China weren't cleaned after transporting liquid chemicals, according to investigators. (Jason Lee / Reuters)

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed a company alleged to have cross-contaminated cooking oil with petrol and other chemicals has been exporting to Australia. It's understood the company's tankers were doing double duty as a cost-cutting measure, and that the trucks weren't cleaned between deliveries.

Australia

After 70 years of farming this grower is redirecting his water to the environment, but big irrigators will likely hold out

Bob Vale is one of many small-scale farmers expected to sell up after the federal government opened the biggest water buyback scheme the southern Murray-Darling Basin has seen in years, but big irrigators are unlikely join in.

Mine opponents claim 'misleading and deceptive conduct' in fight against project

A NSW mines investor communication is under the microscope as a group of residents opposed to its mine development files a complaint with corporate regulator.

Rabbit warren 'ripping' might be the way to win the war on feral cats, researchers hope

Feral cats continue to plague Australia, costing farmers billions and pushing native animals to extinction. Researchers say to solve the problem, we should change tack and target one of their main food sources -rabbits.

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.

Farmers launch fresh campaign for NSW to cut daylight saving

Rural group argues it’s harmful for families to be getting up ‘in the dark’ while city dwellers enjoy more outdoor activities after work.

Safety for ageing farmers

While ageing is a part of life, it does bring increased risks for those living and working on farms. As part of the recent National Farm Safety Week, Farmsafe Australia is drawing attention to these challenges and highlighting strategies that may enhance safety and wellbeing.

Opportunities

Applications open for Hort Innovation Directors

Hort Innovation is inviting applications for two Director positions on its board, with elections occurring at the 2024 Annual General Meeting in November.

Required skills are: Governance and compliance; Finance; Enterprise risk management; Strategy, leadership and business management. Applicants must also have expertise across a number of agricultural and/or business-related areas.

Find our more and download a Director Applicant Information Pack here.

Applications close at COB AEST Monday, August 5.

Looking for Farming Superstars - Farms Advice Podcast

The Farms Advice podcast team are on the look-out for farmers and experts in the paddocks, shed or office. They want to hear from the brightest minds in Australian agriculture, to talk about everything from on-farm operations, agtech, finances/money and opportunities and current challenges on farms.

If you’ve got experiences and/or advice to share, email Jack Cresswell at jack@farmsadvice.com.au.

Events

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.

Have you submitted your entries for the 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA)?

If not, get cracking, to make sure you’re in the running to be named Best of Show in Australia’s premier olive competition. This year’s also increases the opportunity for recognizing and marketing opportunities, with new decals for Best of Class and Best of Show winners, and a new Platinum Medal to showcase exceptionally high-scoring entries.

Entrants will also be included a Producer Index Listing in the Results Book, providing buyers and consumers with details of how to find your award-winning products. The listing will also be accessible on the Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil Everyday website.

Attracting increasing international status and recognition, the 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) offers a multitude of quality and marketing benefits:

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

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.

Over 20 years’ experience.

Servicing SA, WA, NSW, WA & TAS.

Contact Rajab – 0469 718 719

rajabnassiri510@yahoo.com

New Zealand

Bioenergy solutions can offset greenhouse gas emissions on farms

The Bioenergy Association of New Zealand welcomed the proposal from Government in its Action on Agricultural Emissions to provide credits for reductions of gross greenhouse gas emissions from farms.

We found this news from 2019: do any of our New Zealand readers know if it was actioned?

International

Natural compound in olives may help fight obesity and type 2 diabetes

A naturally occurring compound in olives, elenolic acid, has shown promise as a potential treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes. In mouse models of the health conditions, researchers from Virginia Tech in the US discovered that after one week of treatment, elenolic acid reduced blood sugar levels as well as, or even better than, two leading medications.

Olive oil: (Turkey) crop forecasts at the end of September

Olive growers in Turkey are preparing for a record crop. In the 2024/2025 season, the 200 million olive trees in 41 Turkish provinces are expected to yield 400,000 mt of olives. As in the 2022/2023 season, this crop would make Turkey the second-largest olive producer in the world.

Spanish olive oil producers invest in biomethane sector

Large olive oil producers are entering the biomethane business in the province of Jaén in Spain. Four projects to produce biogas from alpeorujo are underway, with a joint investment of €137 million from the municipalities of Martos, Guarromán, Castellar and Mancha Real, financed through public-private collaboration.

The challenges and opportunities facing Morocco’s olive oil sector

While investments are being made to promote quality and climate resilience, some policies are hurting local consumption and inhibiting value-added production.

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!

Spanish imports of Argentinian olive oil double

Spain’s imports of Argentinian olive oil more than doubled in 2023 compared to the previous year due to a poor harvest and rising prices. Olive oil shipments – Spain’s seventh largest agricultural import from Argentina – increased from €11.5M (US$12.6M) in 2022 to €37.6M (US$41M), the 26 June report said.

California olive industry applauds international antidumping and countervailing duties decision

The California table olive industry commends the 4-0 vote by the International Trade Commission (ITC) affirming that the antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders first imposed on Spanish ripe olives in 2018 must remain in place.

Are vegetable oils the biggest food fraud risk?

Professor Chris Elliott delves into why vegetable oils are particularly prone to food fraud, examining historical cases, current vulnerabilities, and potential solutions.