New research has confirmed that another disease is spreading among olive trees in Puglia, along with the olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS) caused by Xylella fastidiosa pauca.

Many regional communities and growing regions are facing substantial damage and stress from the current floods in southern Queensland and northern New South Wales.

To assist with the collection of flood impact data in QLD, Growcom and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland (DAF) are encouraging primary producers to complete the online Natural Disaster Impact Survey.

The Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) is a jointly funded program between the Australian Government and state and territory (state) governments, through which the Australian Government provides financial assistance to support state governments with disaster recovery costs. 

You can access the latest disaster funding activation information here.

The fallout from the war in Russia to Ukraine, extreme weather and problems with supply and demand around the world could be about to change the food we eat and what we pay for it. A discussion paper looking at the world of extremes argues the situation is unprecedented and tries to weigh up the ramifications. It's authored by Simon Quilty an analyst with Global AgriTrends who believes many of the events are the reason for record prices across a range of food commodities today.

Will the Murray-Darling Basin and water policy be an election issue in 2022? As we fast approach a federal election, Federal Water Minister, Keith Pitt and and Shadow Minister, Terri Butler talk about major issues facing the Murray-Darling and what they'd like to do about it.

The NSW Upper House has again rejected controversial floodplain harvesting regulations that the state government implemented this week despite two additional previous disallowance motions.

While restrictions are generally lifting across Australia, it’s more important than ever to keep up with the constantly changing status of pandemic regulations. You can access state-specific information on COVID-19 from the links below:

The conflict in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia are expected to put further pressure on farm costs even as Australian agriculture is set to declare one of its most profitable years.

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.

Farmers right around Australia are braced for another hefty hike in their council rates this year. It is the costly downside to record prices being paid for farm land around the nation. Municipal councils have already begun adjusting valuations to include the rural property bonanza in their rating strategies.

What industry would not want to boost production value by up to 25 per cent? That is the future promised by big "tech ag" - one where extensive data is gathered on every aspect of the supply chain - from paddock to plate. But some farmers already have reservations about who has their personal and commercial information and who is profiting from it.

The Farm Biosecurity program is offering full funding and support for six delegates to attend the 2nd Australian Biosecurity Symposium.

The successful delegates will be selected by a judging panel from Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia, and will represent a cross section of Australian livestock producers, growers and mixed farming practices. 

Find out more and apply here.

Regionality is hosting its first 'Sip and Chat' session online, featuring ‘Five Fabulous Females of Food, Farming and Agritourism’. The session will explore their stories and thoughts on the role of women in driving farm innovation and agritourism, and to celebrate International Women’s Day 2022!

Pour yourself a cup or glass of your favourite liquid, get your Zoom on and settle in front of your screen for a 90 minute chat with some like-minded women.

The Fab Five include our industry’s own Rosalind Vodusek of Rich Glen Olive Estate, VIC, along with the National Farmers Federation’s Fiona Simson providing a national perspective.

Details: Tuesday, 8 March - 7:30-9:00 pm AEDT. Free, registration essential.

Find out more and register here.

The WA Olive Council will hold their Annual General Meeting on Friday, 25 March at the Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development in South Perth. 

All financial members are invited to attend, nominate, and/or vote for Director positions.  

Register your attendance to admin@oliveswa.com.au. 

The evidence linking mental health and diet has grown, and we now know what we eat can impact both our mood and our risk of mental health conditions. The Mediterranean Diet has emerged as one of the best eating patterns for mental health, with studies showing links to improvements in depression symptoms, as well as links to a decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

In this free webinar, Dr Wolfgang Marx from the Food and Mood Centre discusses the evidence for the Mediterranean Diet in mental health, as well as the role of polyphenols and EVOO in this space. Dr Hannah Mayr from Metro South Hospital and Health Service will then discuss the barriers and enablers health professionals face when recommending this dietary pattern in non-Mediterranean settings. 

Details: Thursday, 31 March - 12:00-1:00pm AEDT – Free.

More information and register here.

Are you interested in learning how to assess olive oil? Come along to a FREE olive oil tasting workshop in Subiaco on Sat, 26 March, for new and experienced olive oil tasters.

Limited places available - bookings essential.

Register now via email to entries@oliveswa.com.au.

 

On New Zealand's North Island, Stephen Davies Howard has taken advantage of the Mediterranean climate to produce award-winning olive oils.

The European agriculture commissioner responded that both countries must use national strategic plans to address climatic issues.

Olive oil production in Portugal is on pace to reach a record-high 225 million liters (230,000 tons) in the 2021/22 crop year, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). INE attributed the bumper harvest to optimal agrometeorological conditions and the growing role of high-density and super-high-density olive groves.

The Nutri-Score is currently still under development, but you may have already seen the logo. A pilot with the Nutri-Score is already underway in a number of supermarkets. These pilots serve as research and preparation for the introduction of the logo that must provide products with a health indication.

Italian politicians continued their campaign to derail the adop¬tion of Nutri-Score as the European Union’s official front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) system at a recent series of events. Italian officials once again criticized Nutri-Score as an overly simplistic way to evaluate food nutrition.

We’ve started another new year, and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) will continue 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!

The Andalusian regional government and Fundación Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero have signed an agreement to create the Olive Oil Reference Center in Mengíbar, Jaén. The reference center with state-of-the-art technology is estimated to cost €7.3 million.

Under the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Project, Pakistan is growing thousands of olive trees in its northwestern region, a former hotbed for terrorism after 9/11.

A regulation that entered into force on Tuesday making it possible to cut down olive groves when necessary for mining operations has led to public outrage, Turkish Minute reported on Tuesday.

Olives NZ Focus Grove Field Day - Nelson

Olives NZ Focus Grove Field Day - Canterbury

Olives NZ Focus Grove Field Day - Northland

2022 Olives New Zealand AGM – Online

Olives NZ Focus Grove Field Day - Wairarapa

Olives NZ Focus Grove Field Day - Hawke’s Bay

Olives WA AGM – South Perth, WA

EVOO tasting workshop – Subiaco, WA

AOA Healthy Soils Field Day – Wagga Wagga, NSW

Olives SA/WEA seminar, Tasting and appreciating EVOO – Adelaide

Entries open, 2022 Australian International Olive awards

Hort Connections 2022 – Brisbane

Entries close, 2022 Australian International Olive awards

Medals announced, 2022 Australian International Olive awards

Olives NZ Conference and Awards Dinner – Wellington, NZ

Field tour, 2022 AOA National Olive Conference & Exhibition – Devonport, Tasmania

Awards Dinner, 2022 Australian International Olive awards

15-16 October

2022 AOA National Olive Conference & Exhibition – Devonport, Tasmania

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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