26 May 2023

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

Today's Top Story

El Niño predictions differ between US and Australian forecast agencies. Who is right?

BOM is predicting a 50 per cent chance of El Niño developing this winter or spring, while NOAA says it's 90. (ABC News: Sharon Gordon)

The US and Australia's chief forecasting agencies are projecting vastly different odds on the development of an El Niño climate pattern this year. In their latest climate update, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has remained firm on their projection that there is a 50 per cent chance of the major climate driver, linked to warmer, drier weather, developing this winter or spring.

Australia

High demand and tight supply drive Australian farmland values to new highs

Price growth for Australian farmland continues to outpace the residential property market and the stock market, according to Rural Bank's latest analysis. In 2022, the national median price per hectare for farmland hit $8,506, a 20 per cent annual rise.

Electricity prices to rise by up to 25 per cent in New South Wales, South-East Queensland and South Australia

The changes to the default market offer come into effect next financial year. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has confirmed electricity prices will increase by between 20 and 25 per cent from July 1 - higher than the draft offer put forward by the regulator in March.

Australian manuka honey producers successfully block New Zealand trademark attempt again

Australian manuka honey producers have won another battle in a long running trans-Tasman war over who can use the distinctive word, manuka. In a decision handed down this morning, the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) said the New Zealand-based Manuka Honey Appellation Society's (MHAS) bid to trademark the word was unsuccessful.

The application for a trademark of ‘Agrumato’ in Australia is still in progress. We’ll provide a comprehensive update in the coming June edition of Olivegrower & Processor.

National Farmers ramp up calls for an extension to Instant Asset Write Off

The National Farmers Federation is intensifying its appeal to the federal government for an extension of the Instant Asset Write Off (IAWO) to help the farmers who have unfairly been caught out by the scheme's cut off.

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 - like David and Eve, who have a Catching Harvest Frame for sale. 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.

Be sun safe this winter

Queenslanders are being urged to remember to be sun safe even while they reach for their jumpers this winter. The Queensland Government is encouraging Queenslanders to continue the five sun smart behaviours – slip, slop, slap, seek, slide – year-round, even during the cooler winter months.

This is an important message for all of us who work outside … winter sun is a skin risk, no matter where you are!

Backyard growers create prize-winning olive oil in Australia

Photo: Ceres.

Two Australian organizations are working to prevent olives growing in Melbourne from going to waste by milling combined batches and returning the oil to the community.

This really is a growing movement, and a positive one for our industry, introducing a whole new community to local, fresh olive oil.

Vocational education ‘hollowed out’ as Swinburne prepares to axe horticulture

The Victorian government has urged Swinburne University to reconsider plans to shut down its 35-year-old horticulture program, as jitters grow over the health of the vocational education and training sector.

Opportunities

Looking for love on your farm?

The Farmer Wants a Wife production team is on the hunt for their next batch of eligible farmers. They’re looking for genuine, authentic, worthy farmers who deserve a shot at real love.

This year, ALL of their farmers found love on the show and they’re keen to continue that 100% success rate - maybe with some olive growers!

If you’re ready to dive in you can apply here, or if you have questions first you can contact Casting Producer Katie Baker at Katie.Baker@eurekaproductions.au.

Hailstorm support for Greater Shepparton and Yarra Ranges LGAs

The Victorian Government is supporting growers and farmers in the City of Greater Shepparton and Yarra Ranges Council local government areas affected by the 23 March 2023 hailstorm event to get back in business, with concessional loans to support their relief and recovery efforts.

Applications are open for Hailstorm Primary Producer Concessional Loans of up to $250,000 to restore and replace damaged assets, and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is underway. Producers whose properties were impacted or suffered a significant loss of income as a direct result of the hailstorm event can apply.

Submissions close 4pm on 14 November 2023.

The program is administered by Rural Finance, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Visit the Rural Finance website for application forms and program guidelines, or call Rural Finance on 1800 260 25 for more information.

Public consultation on draft ag levies legislation closing soon

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is working on streamlining and modernising the agricultural levies and charges legislation. Draft legislation is now available for consultation and feedback.

The draft levies legislation proposes to simplify the administration of levies, reduce legislative complexity and inconsistency, and increase flexibility in compliance matters.

Feedback will be collected through three surveys, each covering a different set of legislative instruments which have been grouped together according to their function. You can complete any or all of the three surveys relevant to you.

All three surveys close on 5 June 2023.

Find out more and provide your feedback here.

Events

Getting Hands-on with Sensors: a practical workshop for growers

The workshop will provide an overview of the cross-industry digital remote monitoring project, and introduce the pilot smart vegetable, avocado, banana farms, and smart production nursery.

Learn about various technologies that can be deployed to improve the productivity and environmental performance of horticultural production systems.

Technologies covered include:

soil moisture sensors
dendrometers
sap flow meters
weather stations
options to measure nitrate.

The workshop will conclude with an open Q&A forum and discussion.

Details:

Tuesday, 6 June 2023 from 12-1:30pm (Adelaide time)

Hort Connections Adelaide 2023, Skyway Room 2, Adelaide Convention Centre

More information and register here.

New Zealand

History of olive trees in Mount Victoria

Back in the 1980s, a resident suggested that the Council should plant olive trees on the streets of Mount Victoria, possibly to celebrate the rich Greek culture and community in the area. The Council loved the idea and planted French Verdale olive trees on streets around the heritage suburb, from Roxburgh to Elizabeth Street and beyond.

International

Five business lessons I learned from olive harvesting

Growing up in Tuscany and as a partner at PQE Group, which was established in Florence in 1998, I am strongly invested in our roots and the parallels we can draw between the modern day, our history and our culture.

Researchers investigate role of bioactive compounds in neurodegenerative diseases

The Mediterranean diet is one of the best eating patterns for lowering the risk of neurological disorders, a literature review of the impacts of nutrition on the development of neurodegenerative diseases has concluded.

S.Africa presses for recognition of its high-end olive oil

South Africa is famous for its wines but not necessarily for olive oil, where Greece, Italy and Spain are the undisputed kings. But the country's farmers are undeterred, eyeing a potential share of the lucrative market for top-quality extra virgin oils.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

The 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!

As Spain fights food inflation, pressures keep mounting

As countries across Europe grapple with historic inflation levels, a combination of luck and policy has seen Spain buck the trend.

The policy actions in particular make really interesting reading. And here’s more on the world’s largest olive oil producer …

Prolonged drought devastates Spanish olive oil production as prices skyrocket

Severe lack of rains during the flowering months of the Spanish olive oil tree has “burnt” the production, according to industry, which will lead to meager outputs, price increases and low reserve levels at the end of the season.

From whisky to olive oil, Bozelli boss highlights the value of skillful blending

“My inspiration came from the whisky industry, which I was part of after 2001,” Bozelli founder Mustafa Birhan Hazer told Olive Oil Times. “I know that single malts are excellent. But, while they are great on their own, when a master blends them, you can achieve such a complex and rich blend greater than the sum of its parts,” he said.

Good to see the art of blending being celebrated - and what if we could match the prices achieved by artisan whiskies!