10 November 2023

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

Today's Top Story

Farm robots ripping out weeds the old-fashioned way to reduce herbicide use, strengthen harvest

Futuristic farm robots are killing weeds the 'old-fashioned' way. (ABC News: Brandon Long).

They may be on the cutting edge of technology, but robots rolling out across Australian farms are now incorporating tactics from the past to kill weeds. Hand-weeding and mechanical cultivation fell out of favour following the invention of herbicides in the 1940s. But robots, imported to Australia from manufacturers in countries such as Denmark and the United States, are reviving these weed-control methods to slash chemical use.

Now that’s a positive use for robots!

Australia

The world has experienced its hottest 12 months on record, and El Niño is set to drive temperatures higher

The world has just experienced its hottest 12-month period in recorded history, with the average global temperature over 1.3 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels between November 2022 and October this year.

Farmers warned to check early for signs of European earwigs damaging citrus, cherry and canola crops

European earwigs are nocturnal and mostly active during the cooler months. (Supplied: Biological Services)

While your cat might get a thrill out of hunting earwigs, farmers are less than impressed by the damage they do to crops.

Port Augusta facility producing 40 million sterile fruit flies a week to combat Riverland outbreaks

The Port Augusta sterile fruit fly facility has reached its full production capacity of 40 million fruit flies a week following an expansion during September. Established in November 2016, the sterile fruit fly factory based in Port Augusta previously produced 20 million flies a week.

Let’s hope they make a big impact before the next olive harvesting season, so there’s no need for restrictions on fruit movement.

2023 Australian International Olive Awards celebrate consistent quality

Some of the best in show winners at the 2023 Australian International Olive Awards, Mark Andrew, Marvick Farms (boutique flavoured oil), Sui Tham, Cape Schanck, (boutique EVOO), Robert Armstrong, Alto Olives (commercial table olives), Lachie Ayton, Geelong Region Olives (commercial EVOO), Stephen Parker, Geelong Region Olives (commercial EVOO) and Jacqueline Bettio, Rio Vista (commercial flavoured oil). Picture supplied

Geelong Region Olives has stamped its impact on the olive scene scoring six major titles at this year's 2023 Australian International Olive Awards held on October 27.

The press loves a winner and the annual AIOA results always make for good press!

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.

French backpacker dies after suspected brown snake bite at Mallee grain harvest depot

A French backpacker has died from a suspected brown snake bite. (Ken Griffiths (Adobe Stock))

A French man has died in hospital following a suspected brown snake bite while working as a grain harvest casual in a small Victorian Mallee town.

They’re out there, whether you see them regularly or not, so please stick to ‘snake season’ rules and wear long pants, socks and boots whenever you’re outside working on your properties.

Researcher predicts Australia faces feral bee die-off as varroa mite found in swarms

Feral bees swarm in the Hunter Valley. (Supplied: Kim Cummins)

Varroa mite has forced the euthanasia of hundreds of millions of European honeybees by authorities since it was detected at the Port of Newcastle in June last year.While a transition from eradication of the deadly parasitic mite to management will enable beekeepers to treat infested hives, feral bees in Australia are expected to vanish, possibly within three years.

More concerning news, especially for those of you with crops other than olives which rely on pollinators.

New South Wales farmers improve measures to prepare for drought

Farmers across northern New South Wales are getting ready for life without regular rain as they look to the skies in hope of some relief. Many say they are better prepared for the return to dry conditions, with lessons learned and investment in new technologies.

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.

Opportunities

Celebrate AgDay! Enter the photo and video competition

The AgDay photography and video competition is back, awarding imagery that celebrates Australian agriculture.

A prize pool of $5,000 is up for grabs thanks to sponsors Syngenta, for photo or videos capturing Australian agriculture and the theme Grow you good thing! There is no age limit and all entries are welcome.

Entries close at 5pm AEDT on AgDay, Friday, 17 November. More information and enter here.

International

As price of olive oil soars, chainsaw-wielding thieves target Mediterranean's century-old trees

In an olive grove on the outskirts of Athens, grower Konstantinos Markou pushes aside the shoots of new growth to reveal the stump of a tree - a roughly 150-year-old specimen, he said, that was among 15 cut down on his neighbor's land by thieves eager to turn it into money.

Learning 'Olive' the step by step process in Bakersfield

Pouring the Manzanilla Olives into the tub. Photo by: 23ABC.

The Buena Vista Edible Schoolyard teaches kids what "farm to table really means.

Turkish olive oil exports can make up for Europe's deficit once ban is lifted, official says

Turkey has reserves of 180,000 tons and is slated to produce another 180,000 in the current harvest that could meet European demand for bulk olive oil.

Supplies down, prices up: Greek supermarket limits olive oil purchases

Soaring prices of olive oil in Greece that has made the product a target for thieves has been driven largely by a smaller supply and now seen a supermarket in Thessaloniki, the country’s second-largest city, put a cap on purchases.

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!

Study shows benefits of EVOO supplementation in male athletes

Olive oil supplementation increases testosterone levels while reducing stress hormones in male athletes. A study published by researchers in Algeria has demonstrated that extra virgin olive oil supplementation can improve the hormonal status of male athletes.

Olive trees can help beat climate change

At a three-day conference, the International Olive Council emphasized the role olive farming can play in efforts to reach global net zero emissions.

Olive oil is the simple way to make silverware look sparkly clean again

brizmaker/Shutterstock.

With its lustrous elegance, fine silverware has always held a prominent place on our dining tables. When polished and shining, it elevates the dining experience with a touch of sophistication. Maintaining that glow is often challenging, but luckily, the secret solution might just be hiding in your kitchen pantry: olive oil.

Not quite the use we’d recommend for fresh, flavoursome Australian and New Zealand EVOO but good to know for any out-of-date oil hanging around …