Bushfires are more likely this spring, all the way from western Victoria to Townsville, according to the annual Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, Spring 2021.

Australian producers are celebrating a successful end to the 2021 olive harvest … “The Australian olive industry is celebrating a record crop this year,” said Michael Southan, the CEO of the Australian Olive Association (AOA).

A new visa that would allow foreigners to work on Australian farms will be in place from late next month, but it is not yet clear when the first workers on the agriculture visa could arrive and begin work.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has lashed out at federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud's new agriculture visa program, labelling it "a fantasy".

We’re not going to be out of this for a while still, so it’s important to keep up with the changing status of pandemic regulations across the country. You can access state-specific information on COVID-19 from the links below:

It’s all about oil, the veggie whisperer reckons. “What gives the mushrooms their verve is the chillies and spices and all the flavoured oil that coats them.”

Internationally recognised food scientist, Professor Martin Cole of The University of Adelaide's Waite Campus explains why South Australia needs a food innovation pilot plant and taking a venture science approach leads to breakthroughs.

With a great deal of the country experiencing COVID-19 induced restrictions and ongoing lockdowns, many families have been left unable to gather for emotional events, including weddings, births and funerals. This was the case for Guyra, farmer, Ben Jackson, who was unable to attend his aunt’s funeral.

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 excess product or equipment - like Mary, who’s selling handmade olive tapenade to extend your product range. 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.

The Soil Wealth ICP team has released another update to the Biological Products Database, an online tool to help growers navigate the range of biological products available to their growing operations. 

The database is sorted by trade name; product type and trade name; as well as Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) registration, type and trade name.

The latest additions are mainly focused on microbial products.

Find out more and access the database here.

Austrade needs your help to improve the digital services for exporters launched earlier this year. The service aims to help Australian businesses grow through exporting, to diversify into new markets, and to manage their risk throughout the export journey.

If you’ve used the services, please participate in a short interactive survey to provide input on the digital export tools menu structure. Access the survey here.

Austrade’s Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program helps Australian businesses grow their exports in international markets. These grants encourage small to medium enterprises to market and promote their goods and services globally.

Reforms which came into effect on 1 July 2021 have reoriented EMDG from a reimbursement scheme to a grant program. During the transitional 2021–22 financial year, both the reimbursement scheme and grant program will run concurrently.

More information here.

Grant applications are now open for the 2022 Science and Innovation Awards for young people in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. 

The Science Awards support young innovators, scientists, researchers, extension officers, industry advisers and others actively engaged in the agriculture sector, who have an original project that will contribute to the ongoing success and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture industries.  

If you’re aged 18-35 and want to make a difference for Australia’s agriculture industries, this is your chance to apply for a grant of up to $22,000 to fund your project.

Find out more and apply here.

The International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) continues to provide new and extended flights for export freight.

IFAM-supported flights from Brisbane to Dubai with Emirates have been extended until 29 October 2021 and will continue to depart Fridays.

Contact your preferred freight forwarder to access available flights and for more information and flight details, visit the IFAM webpage or download the IFAM Flight Schedule Outbound.

The deadline for delivery of entries is now just one week away, so don’t miss out on the chance for peer review and industry kudos through the 2021 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA). This year’s sensational harvest means the stakes are high - make sure you’re in the running to be named 2021’s Best EVOO or Table Olive producer!

Following the success of the 2020 format, the 2021 event once again involves both national and international judging panels across the globe.

Benefits of entering include:

Entries now open

Medal winners announced 4 October 2021 via email

Major award winners Announced at 2021 AIOA Gala Presentation on 15 October in Devonport.

Find out more and enter here.

Part of the AOA’s ongoing program of productivity and profitability webinars, this technical session will be a discussion with WA crop protection specialist Alison Matthews, including a review of the RIRDC Publication 12-019 on Management of Black Scale and Apple Weevil in Olives.

This webinar will cover pest management in olives, focussing on:

31 August, 12.30pm AEST - one-hour Zoom meeting, comprising 30-minute presentation followed by 30-minute interactive Q&A session.

Attendance is free to all industry members. Don’t miss out – register now here.

Farmers harvested 2,000 tons of olives this year, significantly more than the 1,500 tons harvested in 2020, according to Gayle Sheridan, the executive officer of Olives New Zealand.

For patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), following a Mediterranean diet is more effective in reducing progression of atherosclerosis than following a low-fat diet, according to new data from the CORDIOPREV randomized controlled trial.

With average temperatures estimated to rise 7ºC by 2100, researchers want to know which varieties will thrive in the Mediterranean’s future climate.

For terms and conditions and further information please contact Ben on 0422850699 or Greg on 0407599409, or email newmed.olives@gmail.com

We’re now more than half-way through 2021, 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!

Sammarinese consume an average of 22 kilograms of olive oil each year, or about a liter every two weeks.

Producers worry that the country’s worst wildfires in recent memory are a symptom of climate change, and that the government is not adequately preparing for future fires.

Whether pressed into an extra-virgin olive oil or draped against the rim of a martini glass, olives are delicious. But are olives good for you? According to nutritionists, they sure are.

The progress in the Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Europe is positively affecting the recovery of the agricultural sector, according to the European Commission in its latest short-term outlook for agricultural markets.

Europastry and Verdeo said they had developed a way to make olive oil solid in the baking process, creating a healthier and more sustainable pastry.

Results announced, AGOA – NE VIC

AOA Technical Webinar - Pest & Disease Management

AGOA Presentation Dinner – Wangaratta, VIC

Results announced, Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards – Hobart, Tasmania

Entries close, 2021 WA Olive Awards

Entries close Olives NZ EVOO Awards – New Zealand

AOA Technical Webinar - Table olive cultivars

AOA Technical Webinar - EVOO storage considerations

Olives NZ EVOO Awards Dinner – Wellington, NZ

2021 Virtual National Olive Conference - Online

Results announced, 2021 WA Olive Awards

To include your event, or update your existing event details, email FOE editor Gerri Nelligan at editor@olivegrower.com.au

Friday Olive Extracts Editorial editor@olivegrower.com.au

Advertising: editor@olivegrower.com.au

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