08 September 2023

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

Today's Top Story

Higher consumption of polyphenols linked to lower risk of contracting Covid-19

According to a new study from a team of researchers in Poland, individuals who consume diets high in polyphenols and other bioactive compounds have a reduced risk of contracting Covid-19.

Australia

Australian producers face mixed fortunes

Victoria-based producer John Symington said quality was excellent, but the oil yield dropped. (Photo: Oasis Olives).

Producers across Australia report mixed results from the 2023 harvest, with some growers enjoying an abundant harvest while others did not harvest at all.

The Big Swing: El Niño in a changing climate

The prospect of a possible El Niño summer, with the hot and dry conditions it’s known for in Australia, can be frightening. The winter has already been dry in parts of the country.

This is really interesting science, in language we can all understand!

Bush residents ditching Telstra amid claims outback services are only 'getting worse'

When this outback business owner's telecommunications service cut out 10 times in a day, she says even Telstra staff suggested she switch to an alternative internet provider.

In Australia, Mediterranean Diet costs less than alternatives, study finds

Researchers found Australians could save 28 Australian dollars per week by following the Mediterranean diet.

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 Speedy Shaker 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.

As new Murray Darling Basin rules get debated, scientists say there's a clear path to improving the rivers' health

A group of scientists finds despite billions of dollars spent on the Murray Darling Basin Plan, many of the indicators used to measure whether the environment is receiving enough water have been getting worse.

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.

Rural Australia is pockmarked with small dams. Researchers say they could also be 'batteries'

The dam micro-PHES concept uses a single pipe with a pump that acts as a generator when run in reverse. (Supplied: Nicholas Gilmore/UNSW).

At the Goudemand apartment building in Arras, France, a stagnant pool of green water about 30 centimetres deep sits on top of a flat, concrete roof. One look at the water says it's not meant for swimming.

Opportunities

National Farmer Priorities Survey to uncover sentiment, drive advocacy

A national survey asking farmers to have their say on the opportunities and challenges in front of them has currently being undertaken by the National Farmers Federation (NFF). The survey aims to better understand farmers’ views so it can advocate them in its engagement with Government.

The survey is open until September 17, and takes around seven mins, with all responses remaining completely anonymous.

You can take part in the survey here.

Events

Healthy Soils SA Field Day: moisture, nutrition, pruning and more

Being held at Peninsula Providore’s Nangkita Grove on SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula, this field day will cover a number of relevant grove topics, including issues raised at previous AOA field days - e.g. biosecurity, soil moisture monitoring, soil nutrition and a demonstration of renovation pruning.

It will also communicate the results of a composting trial undertaken on the property, supported by the Federal Government Smart Farms Small Grant: Soil Extension Activities program.

Details:

Sunday, 24 September 2023: Nangkita Grove, Tooperang SA.

Grove host: Mel Hollick

Cost: $44 levy payers/AOA members; $55 others (GST incl).

Registrations close Monday 18 September, 5pm. Register here and arm yourself with the knowledge to improve your soil, and the health and productivity of your trees.

This event 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 National Olive Industry Conference & Exhibition: So Much To Learn & Experience

Being held in Canberra, ACT on 26-27 October, this premier event brings together industry professionals for two days of invaluable networking and knowledge sharing. Don't miss the opportunity to gain new knowledge, build your networks and meet the experts.

Program:

Thursday 26th

8.30am - 1.00pm plenary sessions

1.30pm - 5.00pm grove tour

6.00pm - 9.00pm conference dinner

Friday 27th

9.00am - 1.00pm plenary sessions

1.45pm - 3.00pm interactive cooking demo/class/Q+A

3.30pm - 4.30pm olive oil tasting session

6.30pm - 11.00pm Australian International Olive Awards Presentation (optional, additional ticket)

Trade Exhibition

Featuring a range of leading olive industry suppliers and service providers, the Exhibition is an opportune time to review your business needs and learn all about the latest product innovations. A list of conference exhibitors is available here - be sure to make time to visit the booths and speak face-to-face with industry experts.

View the full Conference 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.

International

Thieves target ‘liquid gold’ as olive oil prices soar

Another brazen theft of Spanish olive oil — this time worth over half a million dollars — is the latest example of how record prices are fueling a crime surge in the top grower. Some 50,000 liters of extra virgin olive oil that were ready for bottling vanished in the early hours of Aug. 30 from a mill in Spain’s Cordoba province.

Bryan Johnson, the tech guru obsessed with remaining young, is now selling ‘longevity’ oil for Rs 3,100 a bottle

The 45-year-old millionaire claims to have the heart of a 37-year-old and skin of a 28-year-old due to his ‘biohacking’ experiment. He claims that his Blueprint Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) has been specifically ‘designed for health and longevity’.

Doesn’t all EVOO provide health and longevity?

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, VIC and NSW.

Contact Rajab – 0469 718 719

rajabnassiri510@yahoo.com

Malta’s new Olive Growers Co-operative seeks to professionalize historic sector

Malta’s Olive Growers Co-operative is encouraging farmers to plant more trees.

Ahead of a bumper harvest, the cooperative aims to transform the thousand-year-old sector through investment, education and tourism.

15 tips for making the perfect ragu

Ragu is broadly defined as an Italian meat sauce, and it's most commonly associated with ragu alla bolognese, a classic pasta sauce made with ground meat and vegetable aromatics. The truth, though, is that ragu is much more than that.

“1. For your fat, use olive oil” …

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!

How to read olive oil labels

Bottles of olive oil are notorious for having difficult-to-read labels, and while most people know to look for extra-virgin olive oils, that’s just one piece of the puzzle.

Simple, practical and factual information for consumers from the NY Times. The right messages are getting out there … unfortunately, not always:

The difference between regular olive oil and extra virgin, and why it matters

As anyone who regularly braves the aisles of a supermarket will know, there are a lot of different types of olive oil out there. There are a whole lot of different types of cooking oil, period.

MoA, Olive Oil Producer’s syndicate warn of diluted olive oil sold online

The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Jordan Olive Oil Producers and Mill Owners Syndicate have warned against certain social media pages that promote the sale of local olive oil at low prices, which do not cover its real costs and raise doubts about its quality, as it may be adulterated with other vegetable oils, expired, or might contain harmful chemical additives, dyes, and flavorings that pose a risk to the health of consumers.