With its smooth edges, sleek design and the notable absence of a driver in the cabin, it looks like something out of a futuristic movie in which the machines take over. But the new driverless tractor is now set for commercial production and could soon be coming to a paddock near you.

We’re a couple of weeks into the new year already – where did that holiday break go?

The FOE team has had some good downtime and now we’re back on deck and raring to go again, all set to bring you another year of industry news, events and other useful information, delivered to your inbox every Friday.

FOE is your newsletter, so please send us any news or events you’d like to share and/or celebrate with your industry peers. We love hearing from our readers and your input is always appreciated. 

Email your information to editor Gerri Nelligan at editor@olivegrower.com.au, providing a contact phone number in case we need to clarify details.

We look forward to hearing from you, and hope you continue to enjoy your weekly FOE read. 

All the best for a great year in 2022, Gerri Nelligan and Sandy Noke.

Residents of more than 170 Adelaide suburbs will be free to move fruit and vegetables from their homes again, after a two-year fight to eradicate fruit fly. The process cost the Department for Primary Industries (PIRSA) $65 million and saw 677 million sterile flies released by 350 staff across 177,000 properties.

An innovative method of Whole Crop Purchasing that can prevent on-farm food waste will be trialled by Open Food Network, following the release of their farm food waste report. Open Food Network, a Recycling Victoria Innovation Fund recipient, is collaborating with Farmer Incubator and Social Traders, who plan to trial the method of Whole Crop Purchasing in Victoria in order to prevent on-farm food waste.

What technology trends might we see in Australia in 2030? Our leaders in future science platforms share their predictions for the next decade.

With the Omicron variant sweeping across the country, 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 Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment (DAWE) is undertaking a broad consultation process to identify options to improve Australia’s domestic organics regulatory framework.

The next phase of work aims to better understand the sector, explore problems with the current regulatory framework, and inform potential regulatory and non-regulatory reform options. A particular focus is the costs and benefits of any option up for consideration, and what will work best for the organics industry in a domestic context.

As part of the process, PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia (PwC) have developed a survey for operators within the domestic organics market to establish a complete picture of the current market and into the foreseeable future. 

The survey is open until 5pm (AEDT), Tuesday 1 February 2022 and involvement from all relevant operators is encouraged. Any questions can be directed to au_domestic_organics@pwc.com.

Find out more and take the survey here. 

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.

The National Farmers Federation has received federal government funding to advocate for Australian farmers on the world stage, smoothing the way for future trade opportunities. NFF president Fiona Simpson said the $210,000 grant would be used to tell the story of Australian agriculture to the world.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has grand plans to finish several sector-wide reforms, but his biggest wish is for an average season not plagued by natural disasters.

Federal Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister, Angus Taylor, has announced a government agreement with fertiliser manufacturer Incitec Pivot to secure local production of refined urea for the supply of diesel exhaust fluid (AdBlue) in Australia.

Flood-affected farmers in New South Wales and Queensland can now apply for grants of up to $50,000 to salvage damaged crops and stock, rebuild fences, and replace machinery. The grants are immediately available to farmers in LGAs which were disaster-declared after the severe flooding. 

To apply, NSW farmers should contact the Rural Assistance Authority on 1300 678 593. QLD farmers should contact the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946.

Applications are now open for Energy Efficient Communities Program – Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Grants. 

The program supports small and medium sized food and beverage manufacturing enterprises to save energy by increasing efficiency through the adoption of advanced technology, upgrading of equipment, energy audits and other measures.

The intended outcomes of this grant are to lower energy costs, increase awareness of energy efficiency opportunities, and enable energy savings that lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Applications opened on 12 January 2022 and close on 18 February 2022. Find out more and apply here.

The World Meteorological Organization predicts that La Niña will result in cooler, wetter weather in Australia. California, Europe and South America will experience much warmer, drier weather.

President Joe Biden closed another chapter on his predecessor’s trade disputes with the European Union by declining to appeal an adverse World Trade Organization ruling over American tariffs on Spanish olives.

The European Commission has announced a public consultation on proposed changes to food labeling with the aim of helping consumers make healthier and more sustainable food choices and tackle food waste.

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!

Production and exports are expected to surge in Spain and Portugal. Italy will see modest production gains and fewer imports. Production in Greece is projected to fall.

Local olive farmers are angry after 65 percent of applications for recovery aid were rejected. They argue the authorities are underestimating long-term damage.

An inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) to combat olive oil fraud and remove products deemed unsuitable for consumption from supermarket shelves led to the suspension of the sale of 151,449 bottles of olive oil in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Ceará, Goiás, Parana and Santa Catarina.

The Italian government has approved a bill implementing European Directive 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain.

AOA office re-opens

Olives NZ Conference and Awards Dinner – Wellington, NZ

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

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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