02 August 2024

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

Today's Top Story

The eyes in the sky that drive away pest birds and predators

Wedge-tailed eagle Sabrina comes in for a landing at Full Flight Birds of Prey near Ballarat. (Supplied: Graeme Coles, Full Flight Birds of Prey)

Soaring above her worksites, the mere presence of Sabrina the wedge-tailed eagle is enough to move on the hundreds of seagulls, long-billed corellas, cockatoos and other gathering flocks to their natural habitats.

Environmentally-friendly crop control. Something to think about for your grove?

Australia

Australian biosecurity fears rise as spring looms, residents urged to report sick animals

It is virtually impossible to completely monitor Northern Australia's biosecurity border. The threat is increasing as wild birds that can carry avian influenza change migration patterns in response to climate change. As spring approaches, authorities are urging people to report sick animals.

First aid training the 'difference between life or death' on farms in remote Australia

Cropping manager Duncan Burt says first aid training should be a priority for all agricultural businesses. (ABC South West: Kate Forrester)

National safety agency Farmsafe Australia wants farmers and agricultural businesses to ensure workers have first aid and trauma response training. 1n 2023, 32 people died while working on a farm, and Farmsafe says training can be the difference between life and death. The agency is rolling out pilot training programs and is encouraging business owners to prioritise first aid training.

Report on Victoria's 2022 floods recommends ring levee trial, more SES funding

The final report into the 2022 floods has delivered 73 recommendations that the Victorian government will now consider. The report calls for ring levees, better communication, and more resources for the State Emergency Service.

Beekeepers fear almond pollination could be varroa mite 'super-spreader' event

Thousands of hives are needed for almond pollination season, and some will carry the dreaded varroa mite. (ABC Features Jennifer Douglas)

An estimated 300,000 hives will be transported from NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria to pollinate almond orchards this year, sparking fears of a varroa mite increase across borders. The deadly parasite has quickly spread in NSW since control measures were relaxed, with one beekeeper saying the pest is already in other states.

Court case over Glencore's Great Artesian Basin carbon capture storage plan ends

A court case over a plan to store carbon in a Great Artesian Basin aquifer will not go ahead after the parties involved reached an agreement. The federal government and Glencore were set to face off with AgForce in the Federal Court over the proposed carbon capture and storage scheme, which was blocked by a Queensland government ban announced earlier this year.

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.

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.

Major class action thrown out as Federal Court finds insufficient evidence to prove weedkiller Roundup causes cancer

The active ingredient in the product Roundup is glyphosate. (ABC Rural: Lucy Cooper)

A major class action against weedkiller Roundup claiming exposure to the product causes cancer has been dismissed in Federal Court. The court found there was insufficient evidence to prove the product's active ingredient caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The court acknowledged there were mixed views in the scientific community about the risks of Roundup, and said further research could provide a more definitive answer.

Farmers welcome fairer biosecurity funding

Farmers have welcomed a $47.1 million dollar boost to the nation’s biosecurity system thanks to the Australian Government’s new fees and charges system for importers.

Opportunities

Industry feedback on International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) are a vital activity under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), which aims to protect the world’s plants, agricultural products and natural resources from plant pests. Consultation is now open for a number of draft ISPMs and Specifications.

More information here.

Events

Time to post your entries for the 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA)

The clock is ticking to make sure you’re in the running to be named Best of Show in Australia’s premier olive competition, particularly for those sending their entries by post. Chief Steward Trudie Michels advises that all Australian entries should be posted by 9 August to ensure they arrive on time for the 23 August closing date.

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

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.

New Zealand

Olives NZ schedules second olive oil tasting workshop

Olives NZ is offering a second two-day ‘All about Olive Oil’ tasting workshop with Margaret Edwards, after the first was booked out in two hours.

The interactive, informal and comprehensive two-day tasting workshop will cover factors affecting the quality of olive oil, sensory evaluation, recognising defects, storage and its impact on quality, characteristics of common varietal oils produced in NZ, and blending.

The second course will be run on 6-7 November in .Auckland

More information and register here - but don’t wait, as places are limited.

International

Umbria blazes the trail of year-round oleotourism

Traditionally confined to the harvest season, producers, restaurateurs and tourism officials in Umbria are working to turn extra virgin olive oil into a year-round attraction.

Italy is the country with the most olive oil fraud

Italy is the country that has recorded the most fraud notifications in Europe. An investigation by the English newspaper The Guardian certifies this, which examined the official data released by the European Union via the RASFF early warning system. Out of 182 infringements reported, 54 came from our peninsula, far higher than the 41 in Spain and the 39 in Greece.

Meanwhile …

Spain's olive oil farmers band together to take on thieves

Spain is the world's largest olive oil producer, and prices have risen due to drought causing smaller harvests. The product's increased value has attracted thieves. Farmers are having to protect themselves.

Why extra virgin olive oil is linked with lower dementia risk, better brain health

Research demonstrates that the polyphenols and monounsaturated fatty acids in extra virgin olive oil are associated with a lower risk of dementia and mitigation of its symptoms.

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!

Organic olive oil market to hit $2.2 billion by 2031, driven by health and sustainability trends

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, the global market for organic olive oil was valued at $932.60 million in 2021 and is projected to reach $2.2 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% from 2022 to 2031.

Which is no doubt why …

Organic olive cultivation in Italy continues to expand

More than 6,000 hectares of olive groves were converted to organic agriculture in the last year as Italy inched closer to achieving European sustainability goals.