At least 50 trees infected with the deadly plant pathogen have been discovered in a Xylella fastidiosa buffer zone, authorities said, threatening some of the area’s renowned ancient olive trees. |
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NFF: Budget backs farmers and the bush to get Australia growing |
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The National Farmers Federation says Tuesday’s Federal Budget recognises the fundamental role agriculture and the regions are poised to play in Australia’s COVID-19 recovery and affirms the Government’s support for the farm sector’s goal to achieve $100 billion in farm gate output by 2030.
Read the organisation’s full budget release here. |
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“Eat your heart out, Puglia”
We were happy to read this comment from journalist Matthew Abraham in an article on the return of former SA premier Mike Rann. Rann now makes olive oil from trees on his property in Puglia, Italy, and described it as “a light green colour, and it has a bit of a peppery aftertaste”:
“Sounds like a nice drop, but personally I prefer the acclaimed Currawong extra virgin olive oil grown just an hour south of Adelaide at Yankalilla by my wife’s cousin Ed Vercoe and his wife, Emma. Foodland stock it. They also do an amazing lemon agrumato extra virgin olive oil that tastes just like a lemon meringue pie when drizzled over Golden North vanilla ice cream. Eat your heart out, Puglia.”
Abraham is obviously a man with good taste – and an appreciation of fresh, high-quality local EVOO!
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Got something to sell - like Howard, who’s selling an olive oil bottling machine? 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, extra oil - or even your grove. Howard is selling an Italian olive oil bottling machine (and other equipment) so he came to us to help spread the word. 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.
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Have you completed the 2020 IPDM Survey? |
The olive industry 2020 Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) survey is currently underway and all growers who haven’t participated yet are encouraged to do so. Thanks to those who have already - your input is greatly appreciated.
The survey is being conducted by Associate Professor Robert Spooner-Hart, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, as part of levy-funded R&D industry IPDM project An integrated pest and disease management extension program for the olive industry. This is a follow-up to the survey conducted in 2018 and is an integral element of the project, with responses assisting in evaluation of the project and its aims.
Participation is anonymous and all Australian growers - including those who completed the 2018 survey - are urged to take part. Note: please click DONE at the end of the survey to ensure your feedback is recorded.
The IPDM survey closes next Monday, 12 October – please add your input now!
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The most unusual claim about this week's federal budget may turn out to be true for some young Australians who take up new incentives to work on farms. The big promise of the past week, that you can find the "love of your life" on the harvest trail, is being backed by a few young couples who found love among banana trees and paw paw groves.
They’ve tried every other bait … or maybe this solution would work:
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Mr Littleproud says illegal workers are not overrepresented in the agriculture sector. (ABC)
The Australian Government could introduce an amnesty for illegal workers to come forward without fear of being deported, with Agriculture Minister David Littleproud saying a decision on the idea could be made within weeks.
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Michael Marshman has changed his farming practices to store more carbon in the vegetation, and is getting paid for it. (Jacqueline Schulz from the Carbon Market Institute)
The Federal Government's new energy policy has identified carbon farming as a key method of reducing emissions, but there may be problems with the strategy. Just as farmers are getting excited about the possibilities, experts are questioning the ability of Australian soils to absorb more carbon.
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On-line management toolkits for animal pest management |
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The Centre for Invasive Species Solutions’s PestSmart website has had a major upgrade, making it even simpler and easier for farmers, producers, and land managers to find the most accurate knowledge to effectively manage pest animals. The website provides best practice information on how to plan, manage and improve pest animal control programs in Australia, including a set of on-line management toolkits specific to the most common pests. Take a look here. |
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Drought water infrastructure rebate
The On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme has received a $50 million boost, increasing financial support for Australian farmers to help them become more drought resilient. The program provides a 25% rebate, up to a value of $25,000, for the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure projects. The funding will be available this financial year to drought affected livestock producers and horticulturalists with permanent plantings.
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Update: IFAM funding extended to mid-2021 |
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An additional $317.1 million in funding has been committed for the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM), extending the program to the middle of 2021 to help keep international supply chains open throughout the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New routes and extended services are added on a demand/need basis, with flights from Melbourne to Shanghai (via Sydney) and Melbourne to Narita starting this weekend.
Eligibility for products supported by IFAM is now determined by a set of principles, including: Australian-made or produced; high value; time-sensitive/perishable; limited shelf life.
View the current IFAM flight schedule and associated information, and submit an EOI to access flights, here. In addition to IFAM flights, alternative air freight options include domestic network flights, international repatriation flights and international commercial freight only flights. More information here. |
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Last day to register for 2020 AOA Virtual National Olive Industry Conference – don’t miss out! |
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The 2020 Conference AOA National Olive Industry Conference is going online this year, being held via Zoom next week - from Tuesday, 13 October to Friday, 16 October - as four x two-hour afternoon sessions. Each focuses on a theme covering one of the industry’s current key topics, with dynamic expert speakers delivering content directly related to olive businesses.
The program is:
- Tuesday, 13 October - Soil management - sponsored by AORA (Australian Organics Recycling Association)
- Wednesday, 14 October - Grove management – sponsored by Olivegrower & Processor
- Thursday, 15 October - Olives & health – sponsored by the Olive Wellness Institute
- Friday, 16 October - Olive marketing – sponsored by Modern Olives
All sessions will run from 3-5pm (AEST).
The interactive format provides plenty of opportunity for participant involvement, with Q&A and discussion time built into each session. Both the online format and the event schedule also greatly increased accessibility to the information, with plenty of time to get the day’s chores done then login and take part.
Registration is free for AOA members; for non-members the cost (GST incl) is $33 per session or $110 for the full program - or join the AOA first and attend for free!
Access the full 2020 Virtual Conference program and register here https://olivebiz.com.au/aoa-2020-virtual-conference/
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Won an AIOA medal? You’ll know in just three days’ time |
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The 2020 Australian International Olive Awards medal winners have been announced via email, with elated producers across Australia and beyond celebrating their hard-earned Gold, Silver and/or Bronze medals. Now the final countdown is on, with just one more week until the major award winners for 2020 are revealed.
It’s happening a bit differently this year (what isn’t!) as the AIOA Virtual Presentation, being held online next Friday, 16 October at 5.30pm following the final session of the AOA 2020 Virtual Conference.
Presented by Trudie Michels and Kent Hallett, attendance is FREE and all are welcome to join in the excitement, suspense and celebrations as the results unfold. Grab your drink of choice, some nibbles and be part of all the fun – some of us are even frocking up at home!
Register here - and good luck to all entrants! |
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Recording now available: Using climate data for insights on future production |
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The relationship between climate and agriculture is complex, with the degree of dependency being variable across different landscapes and management practices. In this recording of a recent webinar, Dr Craig Beverly of Agriculture Victoria summarises the sources of available climate data (including historical, seasonal projections and future climate scenarios) and shares examples of how to use these data sets to support insights for future agricultural production.
The recording lasts for just over an hour (including questions) – view it here. |
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European Union olive oil export volumes are on pace to reach a new record in the 2019/20 crop year, according to the Director General of Agriculture and Rural Development’s short-term market outlook report for autumn 2020.
Interestingly, the report says EU olive oil imports could also reach an historic high.
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Shopping for olive oils can be tricky. With so many different options on store shelves, it can be hard knowing which one to choose. Before you put one into your cart, functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman, MD, says it’s not just your health you’ll want to factor into your decision—it’s also the environment.
More proof of the increasing impact of environmental practices in consumer choices – and great to see Cobram Estate included in the list for their production methods.
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Fires burning in the mountains in north Los Angeles.
Even as record-level wildfires continue to rage across the Pacific Coast of the United States, the 2020 olive harvest is underway in California and many of the state’s producers are feeling cautiously optimistic.
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Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news |
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The year is flying past, and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) 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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The Greek Ministry of Agriculture pledged approximately €126 million ($148 million) of combined Greek and European Union funds for the country’s olive oil producers as an emergency measure to counterbalance financial losses incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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My adopted hometown of Brighton on England’s south coast is best known as a party town. It grew from fishing village to chic resort thanks to a prince’s desire for a fun place to hang out with his secret wife and, more than two centuries later, people still flock here in pursuit of pleasure.
Read on: it’s not a travelogue, but a really interesting look at tree epidemics throughout history and the myriad considerations around them.
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2020
10 October
Olives NZ 2020 Conference – Wellington, NZ
10 October
Awards Dinner, 2020 NZ EVOO Awards – Wellington, NZ
13-16 October
2020 AOA Virtual National Olive Industry Conference
16 October
2020 Australian International Olive Awards Presentation
16 October
Applications close, Olive Wellness Achievement Award
19 October
Results emailed to entrants, 2020 WA Olive Awards – Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition
20 November
2020 National Agriculture Day – Australia
2021
23-25 March
Soil CRC Participants Conference
7-9 June
Hort Connections 2021 – Brisbane, Qld
October TBC
AOA National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition – Devonport, TAS
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Friday Olive Extracts is Published by: |
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Olivegrower Communications: |
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Olivegrower & Processor
September Issue
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Australian and New Zealand
Olive Industry Directory
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