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06 December 2024
Brought to you by Australian & New Zealand Olivegrower & Processor www.olivebiz.com.au
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State of the Climate 2024 report
The Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO have released the eighth biennial State of the Climate report, drawing on the latest national and international climate research, encompassing observations, analyses and future projections to describe year-to-year variability and longer-term changes in Australia’s climate.
It reveals that Australia’s weather and climate has continued to change, with an increase in extreme heat events, longer fire seasons, more intense heavy rainfall, and sea level rise.
Download the report here.
There’s also an overview video with key takeaways from the report here.
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Side-by-sides, ATV & buggy safety | |
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Recent incidents and fatalities involving buggy rollovers in Victoria have once again highlighted the critical need for increased safety awareness on farms. As a staple of agricultural life, buggies are essential for many farming operations, however these vehicles carry significant risks, particularly when safety guidelines are not strictly followed.
Access the VFF’s Key Safety Measures for Preventing Buggy Rollovers here and reduce your risk of an on-property accident
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Changes to entry-level classifications in agricultural awards
Some awards, including the Horticulture Award and the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Award, will have new definitions and minimum pay rates for entry-level classifications from 2025. The Fair Work Commission has made these changes as part of its Review of C14 and C13 rates in modern awards.
Upcoming changes include:
- Introductory classifications can only apply for a limited time.
- New rules and minimum pay apply for introductory rates.
The changes apply from 1 January 2025, or 1 April 2025 for the Horticulture Award and Pastoral Award. Find out more here.
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The Seymour family (L-R Neil, Jane and Richard) have owned Mount Zero Olives since 1993. Source: supplied.
Throughout December, Mount Zero Olives is flat-out, working hard to provide hospitality venues and consumers with important ingredients for festive snack platters … But beyond the Christmas rush, the family-owned business is also chipping away at a longer-term goal: investing as much as it can to boost its sustainability credentials.
Great recognition of the sustainability efforts of one of our industry’s stand-out businesses.
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Got something to sell? Or want to buy? Go direct to your target market – olive growers and producers | |
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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.
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Updated handbook for fruit fly identification now available | |
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More than 300 species of fruit fly occur in Australia, although only the Queensland fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly are of primary economic concern.
South east Asia and the South Pacific are home to numerous species of fruit fly that pose an immediate incursion risk to Australia. Rapid diagnosis of these flies, should they arrive in Australia, is therefore critical to containing and eradicating the populations before they establish.
The completely revised version of The Australian Handbook for the Identification of Fruit Flies (Version 3.1) has been compiled by diagnosticians using some of the latest research outcomes and resources available. The comprehensive guide provides diagnostic information for 65 fruit fly species, to facilitate
rapid diagnosis and action when needed.
Download the handbook here.
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Conservationists believe there are fewer than 500 wild regent honeyeaters in Australia. (Supplied: Dean Ingwersen)
Victorian farmers and volunteers have planted 750,000 trees to restore habitat for a critically endangered bird. The Regent Honeyeater Project has brought together volunteers from all walks of life since it was launched in the 1990s. An ornithologist says the project is working wonders for the species and other wildlife.
Some of you may be interested in getting involved.
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Webinar: Lessons learned from a career as a Farm Adviser
David Harbison (D R Agriculture) will reflect on his experiences and pass on his thoughts of ‘key lessons’ he learned in his younger days in this webinar from NSW DPI. His passion for soil and plant science is a key strength.
That passion remains strong, as does his relationships with many professionals and soil scientists which are a constant resource for David and provide a connection to the current research. The value of those relationships is critical to “getting the best out of experts.”
Details:
Tuesday, 17 December - 1:30pm AEDT. Attendance is free but registration is essential. Register here.
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Gifting olive oil over wine? Waitrose outlines yearly sales trends
The UK supermarket says the "cost of living still counts", but its shoppers are showing "a return to indulgence". Premium olive oil is one product attracting attention … In the year-to-date, premium extra virgin olive oil sales are up 15% at the supermarket.
A bottle of EVOO as a gift for your host: that’s a trend we want to see grow! Spread the word/suggestion.
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Miceli & Sensat experienced a 60 percent production drop from their groves on Sicily. (Photo: Miceli & Sensat).
Unlike most of mainland Italy, Sicily’s olive oil yields align with or are slightly below those of recent years. However, production volumes have more than halved.
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Portugal's Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) has dismantled a food fraud scheme involving cooking oil, seizing illicit materials worth €82,500. The operation resulted in the seizure of more than 16,500 litres of cooking oil that was mislabelled as olive oil, along with nearly 83,000 olive oil labels - some of which had already been fixed to bottles of other types of cooking oil. | |
Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news | |
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The year is racing by 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!
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Despite the growing popularity of squeeze bottles for their convenience, some question the potential impact on olive oil quality and the environmental burden of the packaging. | |
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Labor shortage cripples Spanish olive harvest
Sector officials have said that fifteen percent of the fruit destined for table olive production remains unharvested in Spain due to a lack of workers, with the table olive campaign approaching its conclusion.
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Friday Olive Extracts is Published by: | |
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Olivegrower & Processor
September Issue
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Australian and New Zealand
Olive Industry Directory
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