Spanish recovery; Good and bad bugs; Record-breaking olive oil sales

11 October 2024

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

Today's top story

EU olive oil supply to swell as Spanish crop recovers from drought

Olive oil supply in Europe is set to rise sharply in the year ahead as top producer Spain recovers from drought, though it was unclear if households hurt by record prices will revert to the Mediterranean speciality, the European Commission said.

Australia

Frost impact on vineyards visible from above as cold blast 'like a blowtorch' destroys crops

As crop growers across the country's south-east come to grips with the fallout from last month's unseasonally freezing overnight temperatures, there are calls for the event to be treated as a natural disaster in order to trigger urgent government assistance.

And it wasn’t just vineyards which were hit. We’d be keen to hear from olive growers who have identified damage from the recent severe frosts. Email details to editor@olivegrower.com.au.

Vegetable growers in Australia's glasshouse capital deploy 'good bugs' to reduce pesticide use

You would not know it from the outside, but inside the glasshouses of the Adelaide Plains a silent war is being waged daily - a battle of the bugs. Beneficial bugs are being employed to tackle pests and protect the vegetables grown there, thus reducing the need for pesticides. And the good bugs are winning.

A really interesting case study …you can find out more about beneficial bugs as part of IPDM practice in the olive context via the industry IPDM Project resources on the OliveBiz website here.

Seasonal measures for Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB)

BMSB can be distinguished from other stink bugs by the characteristic white bands on the antennae and rear end. Photo: Gary Bernon, USDA

Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an exotic pest that could cause major damage to agricultural crops, nursery stock and ornamental plants. It is also a public nuisance pest and during the colder months, seeks shelter inside homes, buildings, vehicles, machinery and sheds.

BMSB is a ‘hitchhiker’ pest, often arriving in goods shipped from host countries. They have been detected in a large range of cargo including machinery, vehicles and personal luggage.

DAFF’s border biosecurity team are doing their best to stop any incursion and we can do our bit by being vigilent and reporting any suspect sightings. Inspect plants and crops on your property for bugs and bug damage, and keep an eye out for BMSB when receiving shipments or any other commodities.

Find out more here.

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.

Northern Rivers Dung Beetle Project survey

How do farm management practices affect dung beetle diversity? The Northern Rivers Dung Beetle Project aims to understand how specific farm management practices influence dung beetle and microbiota diversity across the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales

The project is being led by Southern Cross University PhD candidate Edward White and he needs your help. If you're a landholder or farm manager in the region, 10 minutes of your time to complete his survey would be greatly appreciated.

Find out more and access the survey here.

Opportunities

#AgDayAu Photo Competition now open

2023 Runner Up Helen Carpenter | Photo Title: Storm Above - Harvest below

The 2024 National AgDay Photo Competition is now open and entries are invited from professional photographers, passionate hobbyist, and anyone keen to capture what agriculture means to you – from a stunning landscape or a farmer at work to the fresh produce that fills our plates.

Just snap and share your shots celebrating the heart of Aussie farming, and be in the running to win great prizes.

Entering is easy: upload your photo, along with a brief description of what the image represents and your contact details, via the National AgDay website here by 5pm AEDT on Friday, 15 November.

Events

Last chance today to purchase AIOA Presentation Dinner Tickets

A few people have been in touch as they’d forgotten to book for the Australian International Olive Awards Presentation Dinner, so ticket sales have been extended by a few days. The caterers need final numbers, though, so they’ll be closing at COB today – which means if you haven’t booked already, jump online and purchase your tickets NOW. Here’s the link to the booking page.

Have you got the right tickets?

We’ve also had a bit of confusion about the Conference Dinner - which is on Thursday, and included in your Conference registration - and the AIOA Presentation Dinner on Friday night, which requires a separate ticket.

So if you’re planning to attend the AIOA Presentation Dinner, please check your tickets and make sure you have booked for the correct event (i.e. not for Thursday night’s Conference Dinner). If by chance you clicked the wrong link, just contact secretariat@australianolives.com.au and Liz will get it sorted (thanks Liz!).

Note: All AIOA Awards Dinner tickets must be booked now and will not be available for purchase at the event.

2024 Platinum Sponsor

AgEnviro Labs

Webinar: Weather forecasting

Making daily operational decisions is challenging, especially in today’s variable climate. New technologies can help and there are tech companies, agronomy services and growers who are already leading the way. Join this webinar to learn from their experiences and consider possible advantages for your farm.

Details: Wednesday, 23 October, 11am AEDT.

Find out more and register here.

Countdown on to 2024 AOA National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition - Bendigo,VIC, 23-25 October

Registration for the 2024 AOA National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition has now closed and the organising team is gearing up for the event.

For those who have registered, please look out for the delegate information email which will be sent next week. If you don’t receive it by Friday, please check your spam folders or contact secretariat@australianolives.com.au.

We’re look forward to seeing you all in Bendigo!

Note - entry to the conference venue and exhibition space is by pre-paid registration only. Unticketed arrivals will be unable to enter.

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.

New Zealand

In search of the good oil for combating climate change

Being at the dodgy end of the 50-60 year old “sniper's alley” in terms of men's health, I recently had a reminder of my own mortality. Nothing serious, but enough to spend a bit of time in the hospital, marvel at the quality of care in a health system under severe stress, and take stock of a few lifestyle choices.

A great shout-out about olive oil’s benefits for the planet and the body, also unpacking an interesting business concept for NZ growers.

International

Extra virgin olive oil may delay cognitive decline in Down syndrome

Researchers working with the Alzheimer's Center at Temple (ACT) recently investigated the effect of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on brain health and memory to determine if consumption of extra virgin olive oil, the main component of the Mediterranean diet, can delay cognitive decline in people with Down syndrome (DS).

Spanish olive trees find new home on Hungary's slopes as climate warms

Wine maker Csaba Torok, who grows olives on Hungary's warm southern slopes near Lake Balaton, believes his trees from southern Europe have found a successful new home as Europe's climate gets warmer.

Record-breaking start: first olive oil sale of the season hits €10.20/kg in Greece

The seller, the Agricultural Cooperative of Agioi Apostoloi, struck a deal with a buyer from Tuscany, a region famous for its own high-quality olive oil.

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!

Olive oil holds the key to longevity – it's the timing of consumption that matters

Previously, red wine was thought to contain very healthy elements that promote longevity, however new findings about olive oil suggest otherwise. Scientists at the University of Minnesota have come to the discovery that maybe olive oil hides the key to longevity and is a cure for diseases related to aging.

Italy falls in world ranking of olive-producing countries – Turkey rises to second place

The negative climate impacts in recent years have burdened the Italian olive sector, resulting in harvests below the usual average and leading to a loss of position in the global ranking of olive-producing countries.