14 April 2023

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

Today's Top Story

El Niño forecasting a hard task during unpredictable autumn, climate scientists say

An unpredictable event, such as a cyclone, is enough to start or stop an El Niño autumn. (Supplied: Ellie Rae)

Autumn's susceptibility to unpredictable weather has the likelihood of an El Niño hanging in the balance, according to climate scientists. The country is currently on El Niño watch, which means there is a 50 per cent chance of it developing later this year, or about twice the normal likelihood.

Australia

International students' working hours restrictions from July 1 threaten farm businesses

Ojha Rupak is loving his job working at a strawberry runner farm in Tasmania's Derwent Valley. But this international student's future is uncertain. The re-introduction of a cap on work hours for people holding international student visas in Australia will restrict his earning capacity.

With harvest underway or starting soon, this is no doubt disappointing news for those of you who use casual harvesting workers.

Reports of mice infestations across south-east Australia two years after devastating plague

Farmers are reporting more mice infestations across south-east Australia. (Supplied: CSIRO)

There has been a spike in the number of farmers reporting mice infestations, two years after a plague devastated large parts of the country's south east.

Plan to counter increasing biosecurity threats

The risk of a biosecurity incursion in Australia is growing due to a range of factors, including climate change, new trade pathways and increased international movements. One way the government is tackling these challenges is through the implementation of the Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030 strategic roadmap and associated action plans.

The second of the annual action plans - Biosecurity Action Plan 2023 - was released on 5 April at the National Biosecurity Forum, highlighting strategic actions for the upcoming year.

Find out more here.

Report highlights health benefits, disproves myths surrounding EVOO

Photo: Olive Wellness Institute

The Olive Wellness Institute published a report to educate healthcare officials and the public about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil.

It’s great to see the OWI’s important work getting international coverage! We’ll be taking an in-depth look at the report in the next edition of the industry levy publication, R&D Insights.

Tasmanian farmers cashing in on travellers chasing authentic rural escapes

There's something alluring about leaving the traffic and the hectic work schedule behind to wake up to the sound of birds and not much else.

Western Victorian major transmission projects 'monumental mistake', warn energy experts

Proposed powerlines would be 500-kilovolt high-voltage lines that could be as high as 85 metres. (ABC News: Gregor Salmon)

Energy experts are warning it would be a "monumental mistake" to proceed with plans to build massive transmission projects in western Victoria as part of a vision to upgrade the national power grid.

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

Alliance calls for rural road funding

An alliance of the country’s top agricultural and transport industry bodies and government associations is calling for over $5 billion in emergency funding to fix Australia’s rural roads in the upcoming Federal Budget.

And while we’re on the subject of roads …

Labor promises progress on national trucking law

Minister Catherine King gets behind the wheel of an electric truck at the ATA conference on the Sunshine Coast.

After months of inexplicable delays - and a costly review - the first draft of the new look Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) should be coming together by the end of the year, promises Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.

Could be significant for those of you who move harvesting and other heavy vehicles between properties.

Opportunities

Nominations open for 2023 Horticulture Awards for Excellence

The Horticulture Awards for Excellence acknowledge and highlight Australasia's industry leading growers and industry members, with a focus on their exceptional innovation and contribution over the past 12 months.

Announced at a Gala Dinner as part of Hort Connections 2023 on 7 June, the awards are a celebration and opportunity for recognition of the game changing improvements and achievements made by exceptional individuals and companies within the horticulture industry.

Categories include Syngenta Grower of the Year, IFPA-Produce Plus Marketer of the Year sponsored by Seeka, UPL Tech Innovation Award, Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year, Bayer Researcher of the Year, Visy Industry Impact Award, Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award, E.E. Muire & Sons Community Stewardship Award, Butler Market Gardens Environmental & Sustainability Award and Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year.

Find out more and nominate here.

Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program

The National Farmers Federation and its partners are looking for the next cohort of change-makers to join the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program.

A mentor-based initiative, the program offers unique opportunities and opens networks for women to develop and inspire leadership aspirations within agriculture.

Don’t miss an opportunity of a lifetime. Applications close 19 April - find out more and apply here.

Last weeks for Churchill Fellowship applications

The Churchill Fellowship application round for 2023 is now open, offering Australians from all walks of life the opportunity of funded travel overseas to investigate a topic or issue of their choice. Churchill Fellowships open doors so recipients can meet with leaders in their field of endeavour, observe, learn and then bring their new-found knowledge home to share with their industries and communities.

Up to three Hort Innovation Churchill Fellowships are on offer this year, with applications closing on 1 May.

Find out more and apply here.

International

Dalmatian agronomists experiment with new pruning methods

There are numerous advantages to the polyconical vase cultivation form, say the young agronomists.

Pruning in Croatian olive groves is in full swing, and the new trend is trimming trees into a polyconic vase. This is especially true in Dalmatia, where – unlike Istria and Tuscany – the advantages of this form of cultivation are just being discovered.

Europe cracks down on eco-labels in effort to curb greenwashing

From Planet-Score and Foundation Earth to a modified Nutri-Score climate label, the number of labels meant to show foods’ environmental impact has increased rapidly in recent years.

How to make award-winning olive oil in a tractor-trailer

Samir Bayraktar has produced extra virgin olive oil in the back of a tractor-trailer truck for nearly a decade. The mechanical engineer first developed the idea while working as the managing director of Turkish olive oil producer Nar Gourmet.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

The new 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!

Portugal enjoys record-high ‘off-year’ harvest

The country is expected to produce slightly more than 126,000 tons, the fourth-highest yield on record. Initial estimates forecasted production of fewer than 100,000 tons.

Video: European olive harvests were heavily impacted by last year’s drought

A short, 30-second watch with an interesting idea or two …

Moroccan university to offer olive oil Master’s degree

The two-year degree program is meant to help professionalize the increasingly-important table olive and olive oil sectors in the North African country.

Is olive oil keto-friendly?

Yes, olive oil is considered keto-friendly. The ketogenic diet, or keto diet for short, is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carbohydrate diet that aims to induce a metabolic state called ketosis, where the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose.