11 JULY 2025

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Today's top story

Real time tracking of on-farm fatalities and injuries across Australia now available

The first real-time dashboard for tracking on-farm fatalities and injuries has launched, giving journalists, farm safety advocates, researchers and the farming community early insights into where and how agricultural incidents are occurring.

Australia

Vale Peter O'Meara

The Australian Olive Association has been deeply saddened by the passing of former AOA President Peter O’Meara, who led the AOA from late 2015 to late 2018.

Peter made a significant contribution to the development of the AOA into the successful organisation it is today and will be remembered for his leadership, business acumen and friendly manner.

Nuffield scholarship experience sparks innovation and growth for participants

Agriculture sector stakeholders participating in the Nuffield Scholarship program are more likely to innovate, lift production and expand their enterprises, a recent study has shown.

A new report from Nuffield Australia shows that almost 90 percent of alumni have enhanced their farming systems and boosted production after completing a scholarship.

Safe Work Australia: New airborne contaminants hub now live

Work processes in industries like mining, foundry, manufacturing and agriculture can release dusts, gases, fumes, vapours, or mists into the air.

These are known as airborne contaminants, and they cannot always be smelled or seen.

Check out Safe Work Australia’s new airborne contaminants hub for practical information and to help understand upcoming changes to workplace exposure limits.

Invasive Amazon frogbit weed found for first time in the Northern Territory

An aggressively invasive aquatic weed has been found in the Northern Territory for the first time.

People are being urged to watch for the weed, which poses a risk to drinking water, wildlife and agriculture.

Stronger regulation is needed to stop the sale of invasive plants, weed watchers say.

New grants to help bush connectivity

The Regional Tech Hub has announced a new grants program, offering up to $3,000 to community groups across rural, regional and remote Australia.

The Connect Grants are open to grassroots projects that help people navigate the complex world of phone and internet connectivity.

Regional Tech Hub General Manager, Jennifer Medway, said the program is about delivering practical, on-the-ground support.

For more information click here, or contact hello@regionaltechhub.org.au

AOA Classifieds

Got something to sell? Want to buy?

If you’ve got something industry-related to sell, you can reach your target market directly with our grower-to-grower service - AOA Classifieds.

Our online classifieds are 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!

Classifieds start from as little as $44 for AOA members ($110 for non-members) and are online now at www.australianolives.com.au/classifieds

For details, rates, or to create a classified, hit the button below.

AOA Classifieds

AUSVEG launches new guide to the many diverse and rewarding careers in horticulture

The latest edition of the AUSVEG Growing a Career in Horticulture has been launched.

The guidebook illustrates the many and varied exciting options available for beginning a career in the horticultural sector.

Farming groups welcome drought and flood support announcements

Disaster recovery funds have started to flow in New South Wales and Victoria, with state and federal governments both announcing funding packages.

The Victorian Government has announced a $75m packaged for drought impacted farmers, with the NSW and Federal Government released ‘category d’ funding grants of up $75,000 for producers impacted by floods on the south coast earlier this year.

Events

Join the AOA's free webinar and make sure your olive labelling is spot-on this season!

Presented by Michael Southan, AOA CEO and OliveCare® Administrator, this free, online event will cover:

Food Standards Australia New Zealand;
Australian Consumer Law;
AOA product labelling guidelines;
OliveCare® Product Packaging, Labelling, and Distribution Best Practice checklist.

International

Olives New Zealand: 2025 harvest update

As July rolls round, the old saying ‘Even the best-laid plans can go awry’ come to mind.

For some, this season’s harvest has unfolded as intended, but for many, it’s been a harvest defined by interruptions: weather disruptions, equipment breakdowns, and delays with the anticipated timing of fruit ripening on heavily laden trees.

Yet amidst the unpredictability, there’s a silver lining. We’re hearing of record-breaking fruit volumes from across groves and various regions—an encouraging sign after the past few years.

Some encouraging news, proviuded by Olives New Zealand.

Olive oil advocates double down on education and federal promotion to drive US consumption

As US olive oil consumption inches forward, industry leaders see untapped potential in foodservice, storytelling and a federally supported promotional campaign.

Some importers have hit the breaks because of tariffs. Others don't have a choice.

In May, imports to the United States were basically the same as they were in April, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

That followed a big decline from March, as importers pulled back on the frontloading they had been doing earlier in the year to get ahead of potential tariffs.

But there’s still some frontloading happening — depending on the product.

Olive oil compound found to kill cancer cells in just 30 minutes, say researchers

A natural compound in extra-virgin olive oil may have powerful anticancer properties, according to a study by Rutgers University and Hunter College.

The research, published in the journal Molecular & Cellular Oncology, found that oleocanthal, a phenolic compound in olive oil, can kill cancer cells within 30 to 60 minutes without harming healthy ones.

The olive oil crisis

Olives were a low-stress crop for millennia, but climate change has made the harvest much less predictable—and regions more desperate.

An interesting industry view from Greece.

Send us YOUR news!

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And please remember this is YOUR e-newsletter and we’re keen to receive your news and help spread the word. Just email Laura at comms@australianolives.com.au - it’s free and the best way to reach your fellow industry members!

Olive oil in seaweed: A breakthrough in sustainable food

Sea, soil and oil have been brought together to produce a healthy, green and sustainable dietary supplement.

A collaboration between Cyprus-based olive oil company Oleaphen and UK-based seaweed packaging company Notpla has created 5ml single-dose olive oil packaged in edible seaweed, creating a breakthrough in the way the oil is produced and packaged.

Greek olive oil today: Production, use and export data

Greek olive oil is consumed in large quantities in Greece today.

Still, the small population leaves plenty of oil for export. Much of it goes to Italy in bulk, but growing numbers of Greek producers are striving for excellent quality, bottling their olive oil under their own brands, and winning awards at international olive oil competitions each year.