Loutraki, Greece.
In the first six months of 2022, hectares burned by wildfires have nearly matched the damage in all of 2021, with the peak season yet to come.
We were comparatively lucky last summer but there’s another one on the way. This is a timely reminder to add bushfire preparation to your property management work schedule.
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Rio Vista Olives general manager Jared Bettio with chef Mark Best talking olives. (Supplied: Jacob Jennings Photography)
The olive harvest in Australia is drawing to a close and this year is expected to be well down compared with last year's bumper crop. Olives grow over summer, ripen in autumn, and are harvested between April and June each year. Last year about 130,000 tonnes of olives were harvested.
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An Australian biosecurity announcement on a recent international flight. (ABC Rural: Clint Jasper)
Australia will spend an extra $14 million bolstering its defence against a disease that threatens to wipe out the country's farm and tourism sectors. The latest federal funding includes … $9 million to be spent at Australia's borders, providing 18 new biosecurity officers at airports and mail centres.
Let’s hope a side benefit of increased border security is a decreased risk of Xylella fistidiosa vectors making it into Australia. And for those of you with woolly lawnmowers …
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Sheep producers welcome a proposed national electronic tag to strengthen biosecurity. (ABC Rural: Libby Price)
The NSW government has thrown its support behind the urgent development of mandatory electronic ID tags for millions of sheep and goats to ensure any outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) can be traced.
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More than 70 tractors took to the streets in Ballarat to protest the Western Renewables Link. (ABC Rural: Jane McNaughton)
Hundreds of tractors were driven through the main streets of Ballarat's CBD on Friday as hundreds of farmers protested the proposed Western Renewables Link. The controversial project would see 500-kilovolt high-voltage transmission lines that could be as high as 85 metres if they were to be installed above the ground.
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COVID restrictions: stay informed
With new variants and a new wave of infections spreading across the country, it’s important to keep up with the changing status of pandemic regulations across the board. You can access state-specific information on COVID-19 from the links below:
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Brett Davies uses a satellite landline phone connected through a tower installed by Telstra. (Supplied)
Mobile phone service providers are failing to provide adequate coverage and are selling consumers products they cannot use, according to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.
There’s some good advice in this article, particularly for those in rural areas.
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Farmers say a report outlining the deterioration of Australia's environment fails to acknowledge the millions being spent to address the industry's impact on the land.
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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.
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Second-hand LandCruisers continue to sell for more than the recommended retail price. (Supplied: Simon Cotter)
Demand for some sectors of the second-hand vehicle market have "fallen off a cliff", according to a leading valuer, while demand for needs-based vehicles ranging from "bubble hatches" to Toyota's LandCruiser workhorse remain red hot.
In case you’ve got an old, un-needed LandCruiser or two lying around …
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Nominations now open for 2022 Australian Biosecurity Awards (ABAs) |
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The ABAs provide important recognition for biosecurity champions across industry, government and the public, who have made a significant contribution towards safeguarding our nation from pests and diseases – work which has a huge benefit for all agricultural industries.
There are eight awards on offer, including the Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year Award, jointly presented with Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia.
Nominations close 22 August 2022 and the winners will be announced in November during the National Biosecurity Forum.
Do you know an individual, group or organisation that deserves to be recognised for their contributions to biosecurity? Nominate them today here. |
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Entrepreneurs' Programme - growth grants
Growth services is a collection of services under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Programme that provide you with advice and funding to grow your business and become more competitive in global markets. The program is ongoing and provides access to a national network of experienced facilitators to improve your business practices, become more competitive, and take advantage of growth opportunities.
Find out more and apply here. |
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Podcast: The drone is no longer just a toy |
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Drones are becoming an increasingly popular tool for precision agriculture on vegetable farms, but are you aware of the relevant rules, regulations and responsibilities when using them?
This podcast from the Soil Wealth ICP project provides valuable information and sound advice regarding the rules, regulations and responsibilities for those using drones in the horticultural industry.
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Central NSW Olive Workshop – last days to register
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A two-day workshop is being run in Central NSW to address specific issues that growers in that region and the Hunter Valley have endured over the past few years, namely:
- drought and fires
- rain and flooding
- olive lace Bug
As there have been many olive groves in the region which have changed hands in recent years, the workshop is also aimed at new olive growers, recognizing that they need industry information and support to produce olives profitably and to process the olives into high quality EVOO and/or table olives.
Details
When: July 28 @ 8am-4pm (optional dinner); July 29 @ 7.30am-4pm
Venue: Rylstone Olive Press, Monivae, NSW
Workshop cost (GST incl):
2 days AOA member/levy payer $165; 2 days general $176
1 day AOA member/levy payer $99; 1 day general $110
+ Optional dinner $110 pp + bus transport $33 pp
More detail and register here
Sponsors:
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This event is part of the Olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL18000), funded by Hort Innovation, using the Hort Innovation olive research and development levy, co-investment from the Australian Olive Association and contributions from the Australian Government. |
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ENTRY NOW OPEN for 2022 Australian International Olive Awards |
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The 2022 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) is now open for entries, offering the chance to be named Best EVOO, Flavoured Oil or Table Olive of Show from a growing field of high-calibre international entries.
The AIOA prides itself on judging excellence, with all entries assessed and awarded on merit and all entrants receiving comprehensive judging feedback. Successful judging also provides eligibility for OliveCare® certification.
Other benefits include a listing in the 2022 AIOA Results Book, a great marketing tool for all medal and award winners, and NEW in 2022, the opportunity to purchase the professional product images taken for the Results Book, which can be used for social media, website and print media purposes.
New award categories
For the 2022 competition the Best of Show awards for flavoured olive oil and table olives will also now be split into commercial and boutique volume categories, meaning there are now six chances to win a coveted Best of Show award.
Key dates
Entries NOW OPEN
Entries close: 26 August
Medal winners announced: 3 October (via email)
Major awards announced: 2022 AIOA Gala Presentation, 14 October.
The AIOA offers an unprecedented opportunity for international recognition of winning products and producers. Don’t delay – find out more and enter here.
Major sponsors
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Judging EVOO and Flavoured Oils Seminar
The seminar will be led by Dr Soumi Paul Mukhopadhyay, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries’ (NSW DPI) Sensory and Consumer Research Scientist for Horticultural research. She led the Hort Innovation funded project Australian Olive industry sensory training, delivering a national sensory training program for promoting Australian extra virgin olive oil and table olives. Soumi has judged at the NZ EVOO Awards in 2018 and 2019 and is a real fan of NZ EVOO and Flavoured Oils. Soumi also judges in Australia.
A pack of coded oils, tasting cups and relevant documentation will be couriered to each participant.
Details: Zoom seminar, 17 August 10am-3.30pm. Cost $175 incl GST.
More information and register here. Only three places left – book now so you don’t miss out!
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Northland Focus Grove field day |
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Focus Grove visit at Olives on the Hill in March.
Flight issues and COVID lockdowns in 2021 meant that Focus Grove Project visits scheduled for Northland were not able to proceed, so a ‘catch-up’ field day has been scheduled for 30 August.
Being the last of the current Focus Grove Feld Days, the day will start with lunch at a local café and further details will be announced shortly.
In the meantime, rule off your diary to make sure you’re there and keep your eye out for Olives New Zealand updates.
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2022 Olives NZ Conference
The 2022 Olives NZ Conference has been booked for Saturday, 8 October at the Rydges Wellington Airport Hotel.
Presenters include: Tim van der Molen, Fiona Lithander, Steve Price, Andrew Taylor, Stuart Tustin and John Valentine.
For those flying in, start time will be 8.45am, with registrations from 8am.
Another for the diary, with full information and registrations available soon.
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Croatia’s wildfire season has been an intense one in 2022. Data from European Forest Fire Information System show about 40 active fires in the country.
A reminder that we should all have fire-fighting equipment on our properties.
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According to initial estimates, 30,000 to 40,000 trees were destroyed in fires that swept through some of the oldest olive groves in Greece.
And then some good news on the topic …
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Pietro Paolo Arca and Giovanni Galistu (Photo: Franco Spanedda).
The thousand-year-old wild olive tree of Sa Tanca Manna in Cuglieri, which was affected by last summer’s fires in west Sardinia, is reviving: three vigorous shoots have sprung out from its stump.
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Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news |
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We’re now well into 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! |
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EURACTIV’s agrifood team discusses the long-awaited outcome of the European Court of Justice’s ruling on feta cheese, which sets a precedent for the protection of geographical indications outside the EU’s borders, takes a look at the latest on the glyphosate debate as well as the crucial EU reform on agricultural statistics and is joined by Stelios Arhondakis, CEO at BioCoS, a company developing an olive oil anti-fraud tool.
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Rising production costs and changing dynamics in the sector explain the decreasing number of groves. The new Common Agricultural Policy may help reverse the situation.
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According to Fact.MR’s latest released report on plant-based squalene, the global market has reached a size of US$ 89.1 million and is expected to surge ahead at a CAGR of 8.5% between 2022 and 2032.
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2022
28-29 July
Central NSW Olive Workshop - Monivae, NSW
5 August
Entries close, 2022 Royal Adelaide Olive Awards
22 August
Entries open, WA Olive Awards
26 August
Entries close, 2022 Australian International Olive awards
30 August
Olives NZ Focus Grove Project Northland field day
31 August
Entries close, 2022 NZ EVOO Awards
31 August
Results announced, 2022 Royal Adelaide Olive Awards
2 September
Entries close, 2022 Hunter Olive Show – Hunter Valley, NSW
5 September
Entries close, WA Olive Awards
12-13 September
Olives NZ Processing Practices seminar – Canterbury, NZ
3 October
Medals announced, 2022 Australian International Olive awards
6 October
Awards presentation, 2022 Hunter Olive Show – Hunter Valley, NSW
8 October
Olives NZ Conference and Awards Dinner – Wellington, NZ
8 October
2022 Olives New Zealand Conference – Wellington, NZ
14 October
Field tour, 2022 AOA National Olive Conference & Exhibition – Devonport, Tasmania
14 October
Awards Dinner, 2022 Australian International Olive awards
15-16 October
2022 AOA National Olive Conference & Exhibition – Devonport, Tasmania
20 October (TBC)
Awards Night, WA Olive Awards
22-23 October
SA Olive Festival - Nangkita Olives, Fleurieu Peninsula
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Friday Olive Extracts is Published by: |
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Olivegrower Communications: |
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Olivegrower & Processor
June Issue
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Australian and New Zealand
Olive Industry Directory
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