28 July 2023

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

Today's Top Story

Federal government concedes Murray-Darling Basin plan can't be completed on time

The $13 billion Murray-Darling Basin Plan will not be completed on time, according to official advice from the Basin Authority, prompting federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek to conclude, "we have to extend the time frame".

Australia

July set to be Earth's hottest month on record as extreme heat, wildfires, ravage northern hemisphere

The United Nations has warned "humanity is in the hot seat", with July almost certain to be Earth's hottest month in recorded history. Data published by the UN's and the EU's top climate agencies, the World Meteorological Organization and Copernicus respectively, shows the average temperature for the first three weeks of July is tracking significantly higher than the current record set in 2019.

NSW parliamentary inquiry to probe health, environmental effects of mining

New South Wales communities living with concerns about emissions from nearby mines hope a freshly announced state parliamentary inquiry will result in new safeguards.

Fire ants breach Queensland containment zones six times as authorities try to stop march to NSW border

Experts say pest eradication program is underfunded and it is a ‘matter of time’ before ants move beyond Queensland.

And several days later …

Fire ants likely already south of Queensland border as Tweed Shire mayor calls for added biosecurity controls

The discovery of fire ants just 5 kilometres from the Queensland–New South Wales border means it is likely the potentially deadly invasive species has already breached state lines.

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 Russell, who has high-quality 2023 EVOO 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.

Wanted - Australian EVOO

We are looking for a supplier of Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil in larger volumes on a long-term supply basis.

To discuss further please contact Brian Dominic - email Brian@Dominicwinesestates.com or call 0418 832 001.

ACCC pivots to enforcement after grace period for the Horticulture Code

The ACCC has sent a clear signal of its intention to begin enforcing the Horticulture Code of Conduct after issuing a second infringement notice in as many months.

GROWER TO GROWER

Have a question? Need some advice? Ask a fellow grower!

The FOE team regularly hears from growers with questions about grove or production practices, or equipment, that they just can’t find the answers to. They’re things other producers are likely know about and/or experienced themselves. So we’ve set up a new Friday Olive Extracts feature, Grower to Grower, where you can send your questions and have them answered by your peers.

Just send the details to editor@olivegrower.com.au and we’ll put them out to the Friday Olive Extracts community - that’s thousands of readers across the globe.

Rachel Ward talks about her regenerative agriculture journey

Film director and actress Rachel Ward talks about her documentary 'Rachel's Farm'.

Regenerative agriculture is one of the keynote topics at this year’s National Olive Industry Conference & Exhibition in Canberra - find out more and register here.

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.

Servicing all areas of SA and VIC.

Contact Rajab – 0469 718 719

rajabnassiri510@yahoo.com

Opportunities

User-centred approach to new Murray-Darling Basin Water Information Portal

The Bureau of Meteorology have just released a new version of the Murray-Darling Basin Water Information Portal, the central source of Basin-wide information in one easy-to-use online platform.

The Portal provides greater transparency and better access to water information for all users and stakeholders, and was designed in consultation with users to include the information that people want, presented in a way that's easy to understand.

Information about groundwater levels is now available, showing the impact of groundwater on water levels in aquifers, along with groundwater and the surface water trade information. There’s also recent and historical information about water availability, water in storages, groundwater, streamflow, allocation volumes, water take, water markets, water quality, and rainfall and soil moisture for the Basin; also interactive river diagrams of major Basin catchments.

The project is a collaboration with the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and Basin state water agencies.

Explore the portal here: mdbwip.bom.gov.au.

You can also help shape future versions of the Portal by sending feedback to: water@bom.gov.au.

Events

Webinar: Keep track of on-farm visitors on your smartphone

Agriculture Victoria is hosting a free webinar presenting an insight into how the benefits of smartphone apps are being used to maintain on-farm safety through visitor management.

Utilising the technology that is in everyone's pocket, these apps are designed to improve workforce communication giving growers real time ability to be on top of management tasks.

Come and learn how growers, industry associations, and government are using this technology for tracing and responding to on-farm biosecurity risks.

Details: Thurs 27 July, 12:30pm-1:30pm - Online. Find out more and register here.

AOA Webinar: Managing Olive Lace Bug

Olive lace bug remains an important pest for the Australian industry and has recently been a major problem for many locations in NSW (particularly Hunter Valley) and southern Western Australia.

One of the reasons has been the weather patterns that have favoured survival of the initial (and in some cases, later) generations of developing bugs. This means that monitoring and implanting management practices for the first generation is critical in reducing later-season problems.

This webinar addresses these issues, as well as providing opportunities for growers to discuss this and other olive pest problems.

Presented by: Dr Robert Spooner-Hart, Research Associate Professor of Sustainable Plant Production Systems, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University.

Details:

Tuesday 15 August, 11.00am AEST - FREE. Register here.

This webinar series is part of the Olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL22000), funded by Hort Innovation, using the Hort Innovation olive research and development levy, co-investment from the Australian Olive Association and contributions from the Australian Government.

2023 AOA National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition - Registration now open

Canberra, ACT - 26-27 October

Returning to Canberra for a two day program featuring plenary sessions, grove visits, an EVOO cooking class and olive oil tasting workshop.

Feature presentations respond directly to topics raised at last year’s Conference, or suggestions from growers at other AOA events throughout the year, while a tour of local groves on the Friday afternoon will provide the ever-popular opportunity for peer discussion and problem-solving of grove management issues.

The plenary sessions and exhibition will be held at the Ann Harding Conference Centre at the University of Canberra, Bruce ACT. The modern, light-filled venue has ample car parking and is walking distance to numerous accommodation options.

Trade Exhibition

The conference will feature a range of leading olive industry suppliers and service providers, offering the ideal opportunity to review your business needs and learn about the latest product innovations. Be sure to make time to visit the booths on display.

View the full program here and register here.

The National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition is part of the Olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL22000), funded by Hort Innovation, using the Hort Innovation olive research and development levy, co-investment from the Australian Olive Association and contributions from the Australian Government. The event is also supported by the industry sponsors and exhibitors.

2023 AIOA entries now open - will you be this year’s Best of Show Winner?

The 2023 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) is now open for entries.

Australia’s premier olive competition, with increasing international recognition and status, the AIOA provides benefits for entrants including:

Entries individually assessed and awarded on merit.
All entrants receive comprehensive judging feedback.
Successful judging provides eligibility for OliveCare® certification.
Unprecedented opportunity for international recognition of winning products and producers.
Official AIOA Results Book, providing a great marketing tool for all medal and award winners.
The opportunity to purchase high-resolution professional product images for use in social media, website and media purposes at only $35 plus GST.

Find out more and enter here.

“I work so hard and it’s just wonderful to get something for all the hard work. I put my heart and soul into it, and I think it’s paid off with this award…and it’s expensive to make, so the boost in sales is such a bonus. Instead of three bottles, now people will ask for 12 – when it’s won Best in Show, it makes a great present.”

Liz Tonkinson, Leisal Rose, 2021 AIOA Best of Show EVOO

International

Mediterranean Diet associated with successful aging, study finds

Researchers found that Greeks who followed the Mediterranean diet were healthier and more active as they aged than those who followed the diet less closely.

As we know, olive oil is the main source of fat in the Mediterranean diet, so another to add to your social media shares.

Art exhibition reflects on Xylella's devastating impact

The Sigismondo Castromediano Museum in Lecce, Puglia, will host the ‘Xylella Studies’ exhibition by the Canadian photographer and artist Edward Burtynsky, who has captured the disruption caused by Xylella fastidiosa in 12 large-format photographs and a video until September 10th.

A great way to increase recognition and education around this devastating olive disease.

Olive oil, honey and wine: How heat is hitting harvests on the Greek island of Kos

Each year around 1.3 million people flock to the Greek island of Kos for its sandy beaches and quintessential blue-and-white buildings … The country recently faced its hottest weekend in 50 years, with temperatures soaring above 50C. Even worse, local farmers and producers are already suffering the effects of the higher temperatures.

Europe confirms steep decline in olive oil production

In the bloc’s latest short-term agricultural outlook report, E.U. experts said the poor harvest and low stocks will keep pressure on prices.

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!

Signs suggest a weak harvest in Turkey

Official estimates will not be published until September, but producers in Turkey said cold and rainy weather combined with the earthquake has led to scarce fruit.

Extra virgin olive oil ideal already in weaning

Weaning and extra virgin olive oil. EVO oil is essential in children’s nutrition already after six months. The news comes from a research carried out by Italian Federation of Pediatricians (FIMP).