22 AUGUST 2025

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Today's top story

Biosecurity in the spotlight, as national Xylella preparedness efforts continue

By Laura Thomas

The Australian Olive Association will join national agriculture sector representatives next month, as preparations against Australia’s number one pest threat continue.

Ongoing biosecurity awareness and preparedness is crucial in ensuring Australia remains Xylella-free.

Driving home the important biosecurity message to all Australians is National Biosecurity Week, which begins across the country on Monday. Read more.

Australia

Australian farmland values are at lofty heights. Research reveals this could be hurting some farmers

Over recent decades, farmland values in Australia have soared. Nationally, the price of broadacre farmland – used for cropping or sheep and beef grazing – has increased by more than eightfold since 1992.

It might seem like this could only be good news for those who own and operate farms. But this boom carries surprising downsides for the profitability of the farming industry.

Triple whammy: How 3 types of drought crippled southern Australia this year

Soaking mid-winter rains have brought some relief to drought-stricken farms and rural towns across southern Australia, but the crisis is not over yet.

And there’s more to this challenging episode than you might think. As climate scientists, we see more than a single drought. Rather, it’s a trilogy of droughts.

Agritourism boom provides fertile ground for regional visitor economy growth

Regional NSW is Australia’s leading destination for visitors seeking agritourism experiences, according to new data released on the same weekend devastating floods, heavy snow falls and power cuts hit the state.

In 2024, NSW welcomed 700,000 international visitors who participated in agritourism experiences during their stay, the data from Tourism Research Australia (TRA) revealed.

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AOA Classifieds

Ramping up support as South Australian drought persists

Recent rainfall across parts of South Australia has offered some welcome relief to farming communities, but the drought’s grip is far from broken.

With recovery expected to take months — if not years — Rural Aid continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with those doing it tough, providing essential support through this prolonged crisis.

Free TAFE agriculture courses attract 500 Tasmanians in three months

More than 500 Tasmanians have taken up agriculture courses through free TAFE in the first three months of the year, as the federal government celebrates strong demand in one of the state’s key industries.

Murray-Darling Basin Authority class action hears of alleged water mismanagement

A class action against the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has begun, representing 28,000 irrigators from southern New South Wales and northern Victoria.

Irrigators say the class action is about better managing water resources and protecting food production.

Eight weeks of court hearings will examine claims the MDBA breached its duty of care to irrigators, reducing the water available for agriculture.

Locust taskforce assembles in Longreach as plague threat grows

Locust swarms have intensified in central west Queensland, destroying pasture.

Experts say a plague is increasingly likely if there is enough rain over the next few months.

The state and federal governments have agreed to use part of a flood disaster recovery grant to fund locust spraying.

International

Italian olive oil exports surge despite decline in production

Italy’s olive oil sector saw exports go up by 6.8% in volume, to 344,000 tonnes, and 42.6% in value, to over €3.09 billion in 2024, reducing the trade deficit by 84%.

Exporting unbranded olive oil costs Greece $350 million

The practice of Greek olive oil producers selling the commodity in bulk to other countries – mostly Spain and Italy, where they are branded as Spanish and Italian – is costing Greece up to $350 million a year in potential added value.

US olive oil imports face challenges as tariffs hit European suppliers

The American appetite for olive oil continues unabated, with the United States importing 95% of its olive oil from foreign producers.

However, recent tariff implementations are creating significant obstacles for European exporters trying to maintain their dominant position in the American market.

Grower ventures into olive oil production despite risks

A 10ha olive grove – thought to be the most northerly of its type in the world – is in its second year growing on a Lincolnshire farm.

David Hoyles describes his latest diversification into olive oil production as an expensive and long-term project which comes with plenty of risks and challenges.

In a region more usually associated with vegetable production, the grove sits alongside 700ha of wheat, potatoes, sugar beet, peas and mustard grown by GH Hoyles in Long Sutton, near Spalding.

Why you should immediately start putting olive oil in your hair

Actress Julia Roberts does it, and so does model Miranda Kerr. But, should you put olive oil in your hair?

The common cooking staple is chock full of healthy fat and antioxidants, as well as vitamins E and K. But what happens when you pour the liquid gold on your head?

Experts say it depends on your hair and scalp, but that there are moisturizing benefits for locks that are lacking in luster and health.

Trump tariffs: A grocery shopper’s guide

President Trump’s tariffs could raise the cost of some of the most popular imports in American grocery aisles, from coffee and olive oil to wine, matcha and spices.

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Mallorca eco-retreat busted for selling fake ‘extra virgin’ olive oil

Inspectors from the Balearic Agriculture Department swooped on the rural getaway and seized a batch of bottles falsely labelled as ‘extra virgin’ olive oil from Mallorca. In reality, the oil was lower-grade virgin oil shipped in from mainland Spain – and the bottles were missing the official seal guaranteeing genuine local origin.