09 December 2022

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

Today's Top Story

A weakening La Niña could mean a typical Australian summer for the south-east

Much of southeast Australia has received totals in the highest decile (top 10%) while for much of NSW it has been the wettest two-year period on record. (Source: BOM).

It's the news most of south-east Australia has been waiting for: the big wet could be coming to an end. After nearly three years of rain and flood events the ensemble of wet climate drivers, led by a triple La Niña, is rapidly breaking down.

No doubt this will be great news for a number of our readers. But in the meantime …

Australia

Rising River Murray leads to power worries for Riverland farmers, as some Renmark aged care residents to be evacuated

The rising River Murray at Renmark on Saturday. (ABC News: Che Chorley)

Ben Taylor was seven when he saw the River Murray swell to peak levels in the Riverland in 1974. "I just remember seeing the the huge expanse of floodwater back then," he said.

We hope Riverland olive growers are staying safe and connected.

New app to monitor fruit pickers following changes to minimum wage legislation

Fruit pickers use the app by scanning their harvest as they go. (ABC Rural: Madeleine Rojahn)

It's berry picking season in Tasmania, but this year things are a little different for growers and pickers. A new fixed award rate of pay is prompting change in orchards and berry patches around the country.

BOM forecasters to be replaced by community information officers on radio programs

The Bureau of Meteorology has defended its decision to replace expert forecasters in local radio crosses with "science communicators" in a move lambasted by the National Farmers Federation.

Heartbreaking harvest has cane growers fearing mental cost of most 'demoralising' crush in 60 years

For 60 years, cane farmer Bill Hobbs has been getting up at the crack of dawn, pulling on his work boots and getting the job done - but this year the boots feel heavier, the early starts are harder, and the job isn't getting done. The smile on his face is a mask, covering the deep wound of the most heartbreaking season he has ever experienced.

If there’s tough stuff going on at your place, please remember there’s plenty of help out there, including: Lifeline - call 13 11 14; Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636; MensLine Australia - 1300 789 978; and a range of resources on the Are you bogged mate? website.

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.

ABS finds saltmarshes sequestered 10m tonnes of carbon in 2021

Sonia Bazzacco is working with farmers to protect saltmarshes in the Shoalhaven. (ABC Rural: Joshua Becker).

Saltmarsh ecosystems are protecting more than 88,000 homes from storm surges and are sequestering carbon at a rapid rate, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

West Australian farmer uses lasers to protect his pome and stone fruit orchard from pest birds

The problem of birds damaging fruit crops is as old as time, but a West Australian orchardist has been using lasers to keep them at bay. Depending on the season, each year, birds were destroying up to 20 per cent of the fruit on his trees.

Immigration review could impact agriculture but exploitation of illegal workers not in scope

A review of Australia's immigration system could help farmers, migrants and industry. (ABC Rural: Emma Brown)

A federal government review of the nation's immigration system could have wide-ranging implications for agriculture, but it won't help illegal workers facing exploitation.

Opportunities

Austrade snapshot: exports to Vietnam

Australian agriculture, fisheries, and forestry (AFF) products have a strong and growing presence in Vietnam, Australia’s 7th largest AFF market accounting for 5% of all AFF exports in 2021-22.

Australia exported a record A$3.4 billion of AFF products to Vietnam in 2021-22, a 39.2% increase from $2.4 billion in 2020-21.

Read about opportunities for Australian agricultural exports in Vietnam here.

International

Deep freeze kills Solano County olive harvest, but Napa-Sonoma fares much better

For some North Bay olive farmers, the weather brings a bitter taste and declines in yields for this year’s harvest. But from the Central Valley over to Napa and into Sonoma and Marin counties, those yields vary, improving the closer to the coast the groves are.

Two important points from this: frosts are increasing; and grove location is a big factor in crop success.

Growers in xylella-ravaged Puglia assess a delicate harvest

Photo: Donato Minosi Olives

Farmers who have followed the phytosanitary protocol are harvesting olives from trees where the infection has been brought under control.

Rising olive oil prices, exports help sustain Tunisian trade balance

Rising olive oil prices on the international markets are boosting export revenues in Tunisia, according to the latest data published by the National Observatory of Agriculture (Onagri). Onagri said exports by value increased by 39 percent from November 2021 to October 2022 compared to the same period one year before.

The 9 best and worst things to add to your bath

Some bath add-ins promote relaxation and moisturization, while others may lead to irritation and UTIs.

One of the best is, of course, olive oil. And we’re glad they included a reminder about cleaning the bath afterwards.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

We’re heading towards the end of 2022, 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!

New research to study impact of soil health on olive oil quality

The project seeks to better understand how olive growing affects soil biodiversity and ecological function and how soil health affects olive oil quality and safety.

In Turkey, olive oil exports rise with prices and production

The rising volume and value of Turkish olive oil exports have been fueled by strong production, surging prices and more branded oils.

In Slovenia, a fruitful harvest despite drought, pests

Young trees on neglected land.

The last few seasons in Slovenia have been characterized by high summer temperatures

and a lack of precipitation. Salvation came with heavy September rains.

Researchers investigate role of certain polyphenols in obesity management

Consuming polyphenols has been linked with a statistically, but not clinically, significant reduction in three of the four main obesity-related anthropometric measures in adults, new research published in Food Chemistry indicates.

Filippo Berio victim of £5k olive oil theft from distribution lorry

Five thousand pounds’ worth of Filippo Berio olive oil has been stolen from a distribution vehicle in Doncaster. According to the supplier, 176 cartons of Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 6x500ml were taken from a Lenham Storage Co vehicle in the early hours of 1 December after its driver parked in a lay-by overnight.

The reported shortage must really be hitting!