05 July 2024

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

Today's Top Story

Electrifying the farm: ‘It could add a couple of hundred thousand to our bottom line’

Mike Casey, the chief executive of Rewiring Aotearoa, has made the switch to electric at his six-hectare cherry orchard in New Zealand.

Some Australian broadacre farmers are eager to switch from diesel to electric - but the machinery they need is not yet commercially available.

Australia

Organic carbon compost trials show promise for WA grain growers

Recent trials have shown transitioning to organic carbon compost offers farmers a financially viable alternative amid a volatile fertiliser market, according to WA carbon recycling business C-Wise. Chief executive Greg Watts said the results from the company’s multi-year trials had exceeded expectations, with post-harvest tests for organic carbon showing a 20 to 30 per cent increase over growers’ standard practice in composted treated plots.

Minimum wage increases

The Fair Work Ombudsman is reminding employers that a 3.75% minimum wage increase should be applied to eligible employees’ pay from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2024.

Learn more about the Horticulture Award and download the updated pay guide on the Fair Work website here.

Drought threatens food and wine production in Tasmania's south-east

Drought is threatening the future of food and wine production in Tasmania's south-east, with the federal government knocking back a bid for $150 million for an irrigation scheme. Farmers are putting development plans on hold as they try to work through the current conditions and a changing climate.

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 Len, who has a Hardie sprayer 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.

Renew your AOA membership for continued discount eligibility

AOA membership renewals for 2024-2025 have now been emailed, so please check your Inbox and action payment within the invoice period.

Along with industry advocacy and representation at government level, membership of the national peak industry body, the Australian Olive Association (AOA), provides financial members with a wealth of direct benefits, including:

heavily discounted rates on Australian International Olive Awards entries and AOA event registrations;
the opportunity to participate in the OliveCare® Code of Best Practice program, which provides assistance with queries on grove management, production, storage and other quality parameters; also access to the OliveCare® certification program;
access to the AOA website’s Members Lounge and information on a broad range of industry-relevant topics, including step-by-step labelling guides and a readable version of the Australian Standard 5264-2011.

If you haven’t received your renewal, please contact Liz at secretariat@australianolives.com.au.

Reminder: The substantial member discounts for Australian International Olive Awards entries can only be applied for current financial members, so make sure you’ve renewed before you sign up!

Not an AOA member yet?

Find out more and apply to join at the AOA website - www.australianolives.com.au - or contact Administration Manager Liz Bouzoudis at secretariat@australianolives.com.au.

New fees and charges for all biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities

Biosecurity activities manage the risk of pests and diseases that threaten Australia's environment, agricultural industries and our way of life. From 1 July new indexation and increases of by 4.1%. to regulatory fees and charges for biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities will be applied.

Find out more here.

Farm groups receive $2 million in Federal funding to improve access to agvet chemicals

Australia’s grains, livestock and horticulture industries will share in a $2 million Federal funding top up to improve farmers’ access to chemicals for managing pests and diseases. Successful applicants under the ninth round of agvet chemical assistance grants include the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Agrifutures, Australian Pork Limited, Meat and Livestock Australia, Dairy Australia and Hort Innovation.

Facebook hay scam targets Tasmanian farmers battling dry conditions as person charged over alleged fraudulent activity

A hay scam has been doing the rounds in Tasmania, using social media to exploit people who are desperate for feed for their animals. Farmers are reporting being thousands of dollars out of pocket for hay that never arrived.

And it’s not just happening with hay. Please be alert and very aware around any social media business interactions.

Opportunities

APVMA Stakeholder Survey

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is running a survey aiming to better understand what they are doing well as an agency, as well as identify areas that need further attention. Feedback gathered through this survey will help the APVMA understand how it is performing and will inform business improvement initiatives.

The online survey may take up to 20 minutes to complete and closes at COB today, Friday 5 July 2024.

Access the survey here.

If you wish to speak with APVMA in relation to the survey or any other matters, please email engagement@apvma.gov.au

Events

2024 Royal Adelaide Olive Awards

Entries are now open for the 2024 Royal Adelaide Olive Awards, run by Olives SA and the Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA, with producers from all states invited to enter.

The online entry form is available here.

Key dates:

Entries close – Wednesday, 24 July

Delivery of entries - Adelaide Showground by 4pm on Thursday, 1 August

Awards Presentation – Tuesday, 27 August

The winners will be announced at the Olives SA 2024 Royal Adelaide Olive Award Presentation Dinner (location TBC), an opportunity to mix with colleagues and friends while celebrating this year’s best products and producers. The cost will include a 3-course meal and drinks, and tickets can be purchased by emailing enquiries@olivessouthaustralia.org.au.

SA and NSW: Varroa management training

The national Varroa mite management program is delivering a series of workshops to provide beekeepers with the latest information on Varroa mite and managing Varroa mite in your hives.

The free one-day workshops will provide information on:

understanding Varroa mite and its impacts;
the importance of monitoring and treatment thresholds;
integrated pest management and Varroa, and more.

Find out more and register here.

Entries now open for 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA)

Australia’s premier olive competition, with international status and recognition, the 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) is now open for entries.

Benefits of entering the AIOA include:

Entries assessed and awarded on merit by a team of internationally trained judges.
All entrants receive comprehensive judging feedback.
Successful judging provides eligibility for OliveCare® certification.
Unprecedented opportunity for international recognition of winning products and producers.
The comprehensive Results Book is sent out to all entrants and stakeholders, providing an impressive marketing tool for all medal and award winners.

· The opportunity to purchase the professional product images from the Results Book at only $35 plus GST – a fraction of the price of your own professional photography.

New for 2024 …

This year’s competition offers even more benefits for entrants, including a Producer Index Listing in the Results Book to help buyers and consumers find your award-winning products. The listing will also be accessible as a reference page on the Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil Everyday website

There are also new decals for Best of Class and Best of Show winners, and a Platinum Medal has been introduced to recognise exceptionally high-scoring entries.

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.

International

‘Stress test’: Olive oil producers adapt to climate change as production falls and prices soar

Olive oil producers are improving irrigation and seeking new varieties of olives to safeguard production as climate change upends harvests, causing prices of the staple of the Mediterranean diet to soar.

What happens when you heat olive oil?

Some people believe that you should not heat olive oil. They erroneously believe that olive oil, when heated, loses its health benefits.

Scientifically-backed myth-busting by the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA) to share with your networks. And here’s more:

Use olive oil to reduce cancer risk of grilling

The American Institute for Cancer Research warns that food, especially grilled meat, poultry, and fish may contain compounds that have been tied to cancer. Learn how you can use olive oil to reduce the risks.

It’s interesting to note that Australian Nutritionist and Dietician Rosemary Stanton has been advising on the coating of BBQ meat with EVOO to protect the meat and de-toxify the process for more than 20 years.

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!

Viral video shows how to use olive oil to make 'caramel', internet reacts

A viral video shows the making of "olive oil caramel" (Photo: Instagram/fitgreenmind).

Recipes for a type of 'caramel' made using olive oil have gone viral on social media, sparking a range of reactions.

If anything could make caramel healthy, it’s olive oil!

Spain’s olive oil consumption fell by 10.4%

Olive oil has always been the most important product in Spanish gastronomy, but its consumption has been decreasing since 2022 due to price increases. The cost of this product has increased by 177% in the last 3 years. Residents have responded to this fact with a marked reduction in its consumption – FinancialTime reports.

Mediterranean Diet ups survival odds after cancer

The Mediterranean diet can help cancer survivors maintain their heart health and live longer, a new study says.

New cake mixes challenge conventional baking wisdom

A cake mix made to be baked with extra virgin olive oil won a gold medal at the Specialty Food Association’s Sofi award for baking mixes. “I see this Sofi win as being a win for the olive oil industry, not just for my company, because the cakes are blind tested by culinary professionals against other desserts.