16 August 2024

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

URGENT ACTION - PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Warm and wet conditions across many regions have moved pest and disease management to the top of the grove management task list, with both Olive Lace Bug and Anthracnose posing serious risks to tree health and 2025 yields.

Olive Lace Bug:

Monitoring is key to identify the emergence of nymphs on the underside of leaves. Strategic spraying of affected areas at this vulnerable stage is highly effective.
Open up tree canopies via pruning to increase spraying efficiency and expose nymphs to dehydration during hot, dry weather.
Stressed trees are more susceptible to lace bug attack, so improve tree health and ensure adequate irrigation.

More information: IPDM tutorial on Olive Lace Bug.

Anthracnose:

Removal of any fruit remaining post-harvest is crucial, as they will carry the fungal inoculum into the next season. Do that NOW.
Early season infections occur through flowers, with spores are spread by rain splash and wind, so spray programs need to commence in winter.
Apply a registered/permitted systemic fungicide during flower development, particularly in warm, wet weather conditions.

More information: IPDM tutorial on Anthracnose.

*Note: before using any product, check the AOA chemical permits page or the APVMA website to ensure it is approved for use on olives.

There’s more detail in the industry IPDM resources on the OliveBiz website here.

Australia

Telstra, Optus 3G network shutdown delayed amid emergency call concerns

Telstra and Optus planned to shut down their 3G networks at the end of August. The move will now be delayed until the end of October due to concerns about public safety. The companies will run a joint public awareness campaign and are advising customers to check their devices and connectivity.

Wine grape growers plant super high-density olive trees to meet demand amid global oil shortage

Ashley Ratcliff says he can manage super high-density olive trees with his existing vineyard equipment. (ABC News: Guido Salazar)

Wine grape growers in South Australia are looking for crops, such as olive trees, to diversify their business amid a global wine oversupply. Super high-density olive trees, which can bear fruit in about two years and can be harvested using vineyard machinery, are in demand because of an olive oil shortage.

*Growers with hives in your production mix, please take note:

Destructive varroa mite parasite detected in Victoria in first outbreak outside NSW

An outbreak of the bee-killing parasite is confirmed for the first time in Victoria, just weeks after Australia's largest annual movement of honey-bee hives began arriving in the state.

Drones, helicopters and planes flown in to manage drenched crops in WA Wheatbelt

Drones are being used to spray chemicals on farms where it is too wet to use a tractor. (ABC Mid West Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis)

Farmers in WA's northern Wheatbelt are managing their crops from the sky after the region received its average annual rainfall in just eight weeks. Helicopters, planes and drones have replaced tractors to apply essential fertilisers and chemicals to flooded paddocks near Geraldton.

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.

Listen: Farmers calls for backpacker program to stay

Industry bodies are calling on the federal government to not cancel a program encouraging backpackers to work in the regions. The federal government is reviewing it’s regional migration program and has flagged scrapping the 88 day incentive, which sends backpackers to work on farms if they want to extend their visa.

Contaminated PFAS foam found in river along Central West NSW farmland

Farmer Frances Retallack pulls an esky load of PFOS foam out of the Belubula River. (ABC Central West: Micaela Hambrett)

Contaminated foam has been appearing in a river in Central West New South Wales. Concerned livestock producers have discovered the foam contains the harmful chemical PFOS, from the group of substances known as PFAS. The state's environmental watchdog has undertaken testing and is due to release its results next week.

A good example of why we all need to take note of what’s happening in the environment around us.

Opportunities

Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring program

Applications for the Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring program are now open.

The program is being delivered by Leadership Victoria over two residential retreats and aims to develop and empower women as leaders and change makers in their careers and in their communities.

All study and accommodation costs to participate in the program are covered, with additional capped allowances for childcare and travel provided to those who require this support.

All rural and regional based women working across the agriculture supply chain in Victoria are encouraged to apply. Applications close 2 September – find out more apply here.

Webinars: Export Market Development Grants - eligibility and prepare to apply

Austrade is holding free information sessions to provide information about changes to the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program. They will also cover details for the next round, including how to prepare and apply.

Four separate sessions will be held across 4 and 5 September, each for a different tier:

Representative body - 4 September, 11am-12pm AEST
Tier 1, ready to export - 4 September, 2-3pm AEST
Tier 2, exporting within existing markets – 5 September, 11am-12pm AEST
Tier 3, exporting to new markets webinar - 5 September, 2-3pm AEST

Registration here before 3 September.

Events

Final week to enter 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) – don’t miss out!

There’s now only one more week until entries close for the 2024 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA), so if you haven’t entered your products yet, the time to do so is NOW.

Australia’s premier olive competition, with international status and recognition, the AIOA offers a multitude of benefits including:

Entries are assessed and awarded on merit by a team of Australian and international judges.
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.

International

Tunisian olive oil output to reach record levels this season

Tunisia expects its olive oil output to triple in the November-December season to a record 280,000 tons, which will boost exports, a minister said on Monday.

That’s an impressive increase from the reported 95,000 tons last year. And in sharp contrast to …

Italy’s severe drought damages olive trees ahead of harvest

The country's major olive-growing regions are hit by heatwaves and drought. Production is anticipated to fall to historic lows.

Replace animal fats with plant fats to live longer, study says

In a new study, people who got most of their dietary fat from plants were less likely to die prematurely than people who got most of their dietary fat from animal products like meat and cheese.

Rising olive oil, cocoa prices challenge specialty chocolatiers

Despite historically high prices, extra virgin olive oil has made olive oil chocolatiers more competitive as cocoa butter prices have risen even more.

Africa's oldest olive tree stands strong in Tunisia

A majestic olive tree in the northern Tunisian town of Echraf in El Haouaria holds the title of Africa's oldest olive tree. The tree, believed to date back to the Phoenician era, covers an impressive 220 square meters and stands ten meters tall. Its roots delve 21 meters underground, and its branches spread an astonishing 12 meters.

And in a good year, it still fruits. Wow.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

We’re now well over 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!

Spanish growers eye growing Indian market for table olives

A report emphasizes catering to local consumer preferences to capitalize on India's rapidly expanding economy and demand for healthy foods.

Spanish social media users unimpressed with government’s olive oil tax cut

Despite ongoing efforts by the Spanish government to lower food prices, Spanish consumers are not impressed. Last month, the Spanish Council of Ministers extended the value-added tax exemption (VAT) for staple foods and olive oil until October.

And finally, because life is so serious and we all deserve a smile on a Friday …

Rescuers use olive oil to save raccoon with head stuck in storm drain

(Cambridge FD via SWNS)

It was a rocky time for this raccoon - after it got its head stuck in a storm drain grate. Rescue workers from several agencies in Cambridge, Mass., worked to release the hapless critter. Thankfully, a nearby resident was able to supply some slippery olive oil and the raccoon was safely released back to the wild.