23 February 2024

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

Today's Top Story

Drug derived from olive oil shows early promise for brain cancer patients

An NIHR-supported trial of a drug derived from olive oil has shown promise in early studies for patients with an advanced form of brain cancer. Glioblastoma is the most common form of brain tumour and is aggressive. Most people die within one year of diagnosis. It affects 3,200 patients every year in the UK.

Australia

Bats in Backyards project expanded in NSW as scientists seek to learn more

Insect-eating bats play a vital role in ecosystems, which benefits farmers. (Supplied: Department of Planning and Environment/John Turbill)

A citizen science project tracking insect-eating bats is uncovering just how vital the tiny creatures are to farmers in western New South Wales. The bats consume their own body weight in insects like cockroaches, mosquitoes and agricultural pests every night.

A natural aid to ag pest control – read on!

There are multiple inquiries running on the climbing price of groceries. Here's what they are examining

With reports of the tactics Coles and Woolworths have used to increase profits at the check-out, you might have wondered what the government is doing to examine the industry. There are half a dozen inquiries running on how the supermarket chains deal with their suppliers and customers.

And here’s more insight into the topic …

The Coles and Woolworths tactics squeezing shoppers, workers, and farmers

Four Corners has spoken to insiders, experts, and the supermarket CEOs themselves to find out just how they operate. Here's what you need to know.

Keeping it real: How to spot a deepfake

Deepfake technology is becoming more realistic and easier to create. Our experts explain how to spot a deepfake and how to protect yourself online.

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 – like Greg, who has a harvester and fermentation tanks for sale; and Melissa, who is selling a near-new Bosco Olivespeed Plus harvesting net. 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.

National Response Plan: Varroa destructor

The National Management Group (NMG) for Varroa destructor met on 9 February 2024 and endorsed the National Response Plan. The national response has now entered a transition to management phase, aiming to:

ensure an orderly stand-down of emergency response operational activities in NSW and Victoria;
slow the spread of Varroa destructor;
build industry resilience to the pest;
provide management options, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) recommendations and chemical control options; and
support pollination security.

Read the NMG’s release here.

And this should help with the last aim …

Powerful Pollinators

Powerful Pollinators is a program designed to increase the prevalence, health, and diversity of pollinators in the landscape.

The program encourages the strategic planting of ‘trees for bees’ and other pollinators and provides Powerful Pollinator Planting Guides developed by experienced botanists and field ecologists for use by landholders.

Find out more and access the guide for your region here.

Events

AOA webinar recordings now available

The AOA’s recent webinar ‘mini-series’ looking at the co-operative business model attracted strong attendance, reflecting increasing interest by Australian growers in the opportunities presented by the ‘strength in numbers’ concept.

Recordings of both webinars are now available on the OliveBiz website, for those who were unable to attend or participants wanting to refresh on the information.

Access Co-ops 101 for Olive Growers, presented by Clare Fountain, here.

Access the Matakana Olive Co-operative Webinar, presented by David Sullivan, here.

This webinar series is part of the Olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL22000), 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.

Podcast: Australia’s supply chain integrity sprouts high-value exports

In this AgVic podcast Austrade’s David Lawson, Assistant General Manager - Trade, Agriculture, Food and Consumer Products, shares his thoughts on why we need systems that track our produce from paddock to plate. He also discusses how digitisation will reduce costs for Australian exporters and help ensure higher-value exports.

Listen here.

GROWER TO GROWER

Have a question? Need some advice? Ask a fellow grower!

The FOE team regularly hears from growers with questions about grove or production practices, or equipment, that they just can’t find the answers to. They’re things other producers are likely know about and/or experienced themselves. So we’ve set up a new Friday Olive Extracts feature, Grower to Grower, where you can send your questions and have them answered by your peers.

Just send the details to editor@olivegrower.com.au and we’ll put them out to the Friday Olive Extracts community - that’s thousands of readers across the globe.

International

EU Policy. WTO sides with bloc against US tariffs on Spanish olives

A final report from the World Trade Organization (WTO) marked a significant win for the EU in its ongoing dispute with the US on Spanish black olives. The latest development in the long-standing trade spat comes as a WTO compliance panel report made public on Tuesday (20 February) confirmed the EU's justification for challenging US tariffs on Spanish black olives.

New research rekindles debate on Nutri-Score’s effectiveness

The heated debate about Nutri-Score reached new heights in recent weeks. As new research from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) validated the efficacy of Nutri-Score, another analysis suggested the opposite about the French-born front-of-pack labeling system (FOPL).

Five-year project delivers infrastructure and training for Algerian olive farmers

Algeria's mountainous terrain means many of the country's olive groves are fragmented across wide areas.

The PASA program planted training groves, researched local cultivars and delivered an olive oil laboratory in five years.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

Now that we’re back after the break, the Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) team will continue to bring all the latest industry news and events to your Inbox every week during 2024. 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!

OSU project helps grow olives in Oregon

When you picture an olive farm, you may imagine a warm, sunny Mediterranean country like Spain or Greece. While Oregon, with its rainy, cold winters may not jump to mind, Oregon State University’s Olea Project is working closely with farmers to make Oregon a more viable olive producer.

The absolute best canned sardines are packed in extra virgin olive oil

Sometimes we get lucky enough to live through an amazing food renaissance, and we are getting that now with canned seafood. Preserved seafood like sardines, mussels, and tuna have long been part of the culinary landscape in Europe … not all versions are created equal, and if you are buying a can of sardines, that means going with oil-packed.

Of course they are!

A dismal harvest concludes in Greece

Final estimates for the weather-afflicted ‘off-year’ harvest in Greece suggest the country’s olive oil yield will fall below the initially projected 200,000 tons, reaching somewhere between 150,000 and 170,000 tons of olive oil.

Unlocking the Rich Flavour of Europe with "PURE OLIVE OIL FROM EUROPE", a campaign focusing on promoting European and Italian Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Canada

As consumer demand for high-quality, healthy cooking oils continues to rise, European olive oil and extra virgin olive oil stand out as top choices for Canadians looking to elevate their culinary experiences.

There must be confidence that the ongoing reports of local supply issues across Europe will be over soon.

California’s wet winter leaves groves susceptible to disease, waterlogging

With El Niño increasingly predicted to last through June, experts advise on how to keep olive tree roots dry to avoid damage from Phytophthora and waterlogging.