28 April 2023

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

Today's Top Story

Farming incidents involving powerlines prompts warning from SA Power Networks

Farm machinery poses a great danger when it comes in contact with powerlines. (ABC Central West: Tim Fookes.

Two dangerous incidents involving farm machinery hitting power lines in regional South Australia in less than a week has sparked a warning about farm safety around powerlines. Since January 2021, 65 incidents have occurred across the state where various farm machinery has hit powerlines or poles.

A timely reminder for all as we work through the olive harvest.

Australia

How a potential 'extreme' El Niño climate pattern would affect Australia

The prospect of an El Niño climate pattern is looking increasingly likely as waters off South America's west coast warm, with some models even tipping conditions for an "extreme" event to occur.

Drop in wholesale power prices as renewable energy generation from wind and solar grows, AEMO finds

AEMO says new transmission lines are needed to help the grid cope with the shift to renewables. (ABC News: Kenith Png).

Surging renewable energy output has pushed fossil fuel-fired generation down to record low levels in Australia's biggest electricity grid, triggering another big fall in wholesale prices. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), which runs the national electricity market covering the eastern states, said power prices had tumbled in the three months to the end of March.

Let’s hope we start to see it reflected in retail prices soon.

Victorian government puts hold on Murray-Darling Basin Plan projects

Victoria's water minister says the government has paused four major environmental projects under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, opening the door to more water buybacks in the state.

50,000 carp pulled from Darling River at Menindee as fish kill clean-up continues

More than 50,000 carp have been fished out of the Darling River near Menindee. (Landline: Bill Ormonde)

Tens of thousands of carp have been fished out of the Darling River in an effort to help native fish stocks recover after devastating fish kills last month. Commercial fishing crews began removing the invasive species from the section of river near the Menindee township on Monday.

Ed: I want to know what they’ve done with them … sounds like a great source of fish-based fertiliser to me!

Inflation is easing but prices for goods we have to buy are still astronomical

On the surface, it's good news. Inflation is now running at an annual pace of 7 per cent, down from 7.8 per cent in December, according to new figures … But beneath the headline figure, there's still a lot of upwards pressure on prices for goods we can't avoid having to buy.

A quick look at the graphs in this article will confirm why your overheads are currently so high.

Plants can 'talk' and scientists have recorded the sound they make as they die of thirst

Plants make sounds when they are in distress that can't be detected by human ears. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Annie Gaffney)

If you're like me, you've managed to kill even the hardiest of indoor plants (yes, despite a doctorate in plant biology). But imagine a world where your plants actually told you exactly when they needed watering. This thought, as it turns out, may not be so silly after all.

Gives a whole new meaning to moisture monitoring!

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.

Green ants drive away birds, bugs giving fruit farmers an organic way to control pests

The green tree ant is known for its colourful body and sharp bite, but Queensland fruit growers are also using it as a creative method of organic pest control.

CSIRO embarks on mission to create a 'weather service' for water quality

CSIRO has launched a world first mission to develop an extensive network of Earth observation satellites and ground-based water sensors to deliver near real time monitoring and forecasting for water quality.

Opportunities

SA: Last days to apply for AgTech Growth Fund grants

The Government of SA Department of Primary Industries and Regions is offering grants up to $100,000 for tech projects that improve drought resilience and climate adaptation for primary producers; carbon management, sustainability, or natural capital on farms; or market access for primary producers.

You must be a primary production business, or private entity involved in the project value chain, to be eligible.

Round 2 applications close on May 2 - find out more and apply here.

Last days for Churchill Fellowship applications

The Churchill Fellowship application round for 2023 is still open but closing soon, so if you’re thinking of applying and haven’t finalized your paperwork yet, get moving!

Offering Australians from all walks of life the opportunity of funded travel overseas to investigate a topic or issue of their choice, Churchill Fellowships open doors so recipients can meet with leaders in their field of endeavour, observe, learn and then bring their new-found knowledge home to share with their industries and communities.

Up to three Hort Innovation Churchill Fellowships for horticultural topics are on offer this year, with applications closing on 1 May.

Find out more and apply here.

International

Olive oil prices rising faster than inflation in Italy

Olive oil prices at origin in Italy have been stable or slightly fallen in recent days, but prices for consumers are still rising and making other popular foods more expensive.

And not just in Italy …

No rain in Spain pushes olive oil prices to record levels

Cracked earth is photographed after the water level has dropped in the Sau reservoir, about 100 km (62 miles) north of Barcelona.

A lack of rain in Spain has pushed prices for olive oil to record levels, with analysts warning that a particularly dry summer could lead to even lower crop yields later this year.

Olive oil company's CEO goes viral for calling out competitor on LinkedIn

Graza CEO Andrew Benin's post about Brightland's new pizza oil bottles slammed "copycat culture." He later posted an update apologizing.

A reminder of the need to always think carefully before you post.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

The new 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!

What happens to your body when you take a spoonful of olive oil every morning

Olive oil is a staple in many diets, and for good reason. It is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants that can provide numerous health benefits. Taking a spoonful of olive oil every morning on an empty stomach can have positive effects on your body.

An additional X people eating 365 spoonfuls (or is that spoonsful?) of olive oil each year … that’s a market boost we can all support!

The A-to-X of Olive Quick Decline Syndrome

An olive grove infested with Xylella fastidiosa in Apulia, Italy - via Wikimedia Commons.

The syndrome, caused by the bacterium Xyllella fastidiosa, was first detected in southern Italy in 2013. Can ancient olive orchards survive its effects?

An overview of the situation to date, if you haven’t been keeping up with things, and some predictions of where it might go from here …

Olive oil producers on fire-struck Evia grumble over lagging aid

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ pledge to restore businesses on Greece’s second-largest island of Evia that were destroyed in 2021 wildfires is ongoing but too slow for some of the olive oil producers who are complaining.