Last day for AIOA entries; New fire danger rating system; Expediting photosynthesis

26 August 2022

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

Today's Top Story

LAST DAY TO ENTER the 2022 Australian International Olive Awards

The weeks have passed and today is the LAST DAY FOR ENTRIES for the 2022 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA), your chance to be named Best EVOO, Flavoured Oil or Table Olive of Show from a growing field of high-calibre international entries.

AIOA entry benefits include comprehensive judging feedback, eligibility for OliveCare® certification, listing in the 2022 AIOA Results Book and NEW in 2022, the option of purchasing the professional product images taken for the Results Book, which can be used for social media, website and print media purposes. Outcomes for major winners are business-changing and with Best of Show awards split into commercial and boutique volume categories, there are now six chances to win a coveted Best of Show award.

Key dates

Entries close: TODAY 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

Australia

Updated fire danger rating system will be rolled out next month. Here's what you need to know

The new fire danger rating system features four levels instead of six. (Supplied: Country Fire Authority)

A new $50 million national fire danger rating system will be rolled out next month, replacing a system that is more than half a century old. Experts hope it will provide the community with clearer and more consistent messaging about the fire danger in their area on any given day, and make it easier for firefighters to understand how a fire might behave if one breaks out.

Bruce Maynard wins Bob Hawke Landcare Award for sustainability in farming work

New South Wales farmer Bruce Maynard has received the 2022 Bob Hawke Landcare Award for his work in promoting sustainability in agriculture. The Narromine farmer and grazier received the award for his creation of the No Kill Cropping System, a technique that relies on the retention of full grasslands and consumption of almost no external inputs.

Integrating sustainable environmental outcomes with practical, profitable production systems … sounds like a great idea.

John Deere tractor hack reveals food supply vulnerable to cyber attacks

A hacker installed the video game DOOM on a John Deere tractor's computer. (Twitter: Kyle Wiens)

Hacking a tractor to install a video game may seem like a funny prank, but it has confirmed security experts' fears about the vulnerability of our food supply to cyber attacks.

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:

Vic- https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/
ACT - https://www.covid19.act.gov.au
New South Wales - https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Queensland - https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/
South Australia - https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/
Tasmania - https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/
Western Australia - https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus

BOM app update: How to decipher the new rainfall forecast

The opening screen of the BOM app displays the new rainfall range, Monday, August 22, 2022. (Bureau of Meteorology).

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has updated how it is communicating the rainfall forecast on its official weather app and the change has triggered a wave of confusion. So why the change, what do all of the new numbers mean, and how does this compare to what is used in the rest of the world?

Coles supermarket removes plastic bags for fruit and vegetables in new trial

Coles shoppers will need to bring reusable bags from home to complete their shop - or purchase mesh bags from stores.

While obviously not affecting table olive sales at present, the move away from plastic in retail is one producers may want to take on board when contemplating future packaging options.

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 Ben, who has an OMB semi-manual labeller to sell. 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.

VIC: Help inform research around chemical usage on farms

The National Centre for Farmer Health team is undertaking a new Agricultural Chemical Use Mapping project in collaboration with the Centre for Rural and Regional Futures (Deakin University), to better understand the distribution of agrichemicals and their use on Victorian farms.

By mapping the use of particular agrichemicals across different regions, the research will provide a clearer picture for those working in and with the Victorian farming community, so ultimately farmers can continue using agrichemicals in the safest way possible.

Victorian farmers are invited to participate in the project via an anonymous 10-minute online survey. Find out more and complete the survey here.

Have you seen the latest edition of R&D Insights?

Published quarterly, R&D Insights contains the latest levy-funded R&D project updates, events, research findings and related industry resources happening under the Hort Innovation Olive Fund.

The September edition is on its way so if you haven’t checked out June’s yet, it’s time to get up to date. Content includes a review of the 2022 AOA Processing Course and Healthy Soils Field Days; information on the Olive Wellness Institute’s latest Research Grants; and the recently released 2020/21 Australian Horticulture Statistics handbook. Take a look on the OliveBiz website here.

Price of potatoes will reflect cost of fuel and fertiliser as SA growers reach deal with McCain Foods

Potato growers in South Australia have reached a price deal with McCain Foods to reflect the volatility of fuel and fertiliser costs. McCain Negotiating Committee Chair for the South East Potato Growers Association Tim Heysen said they negotiated a reasonable base price rise as well as an additional levy arrangement.

A positive move showing market recognition of the recent dramatic increases in agricultural inputs.

Opportunities

Women & Leadership scholarships

Applications are open for Women & Leadership Australia (WLA)’s professional development scholarships, open to women across all areas of the farming and agriculture sector.

Scholarships of $1000-$5000 are available for four leadership development courses, aimed at encouraging more women to increase their impact at work and step into industry leadership roles.

The leadership programs support women at all levels across all sectors and industries, bringing together a focus on applied learning and the latest in leadership theory and practice.

Find out more about the courses and scholarships, and apply here. Applications close on 9 September 2022.

Events

2022 AOA National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition – the time to book is NOW!

Friday 14 - Sunday 16 October, Devonport, Tasmania

Devonport, Tasmania is a great destination but it’s not a mega-city, so now is the time to register and make your travel bookings to secure the best flight and accommodation options. The Visit Devonport information centre site is a great place to start – take a look here.

From zero waste to biennial bearing

This year’s content covers a diverse range of topics, including: zero waste, getting started in table olive production, Xylella fastidiosa, promotion and marketing, and business value-adding. Grove management highlights include insight and learnings from the Olives New Zealand Focus Grove Project (which has seen an increase in tree production from 5kg to 25kg+ in participating groves via a targeted practice program), mechanical harvesting of table olives, and biennial bearing.

The Trade Exhibition will feature a range of leading olive industry suppliers and service providers, providing a chance to review your business needs and learn about the latest product innovations from experts in the field. A list of conference exhibitors is available here and is updated regularly.

Program:

Friday 14 - Optional Field Day; p.m. - Australian International Olive Awards Presentation Dinner

Saturday 15 - Conference Day 1 + Trade Exhibition; p.m. - Conference Dinner

Sunday 16 - Conference Day 2 + Trade Exhibition

View the full program here and register here.

Entries closing soon for 2022 WA Olive Awards

There are just nine days left to enter the WA Olive Awards, run by the WAOC and sponsored by Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Key dates for the 2022 competition are:

Entries NOW open

Entries close: 5 September

Results announced: 20 October – Awards dinner, The Abbey at Chester’s

Chief Judge is Isabelle Okis and Chief Steward Ellen Slobe - M: 0411 293 398; E: entries@oliveswa.com.au.

Download the Entry Pack here.

International

Olive harvest in Valencia predicted to fall by 75 percent

The regional farmers union warns the decline could result in €70 million of losses. They want expanded insurance coverage and financial aid to help growers get by.

And this is why …

Europe confronts worst drought in 500 years, officials say

Dried irrigation ditch in Albufera rice fields of Valencia.

Countries in southern and western Europe are bearing the brunt of the drought, with varying impacts on olive farmers and society writ large.

Could you ID rancid olive oil? These students couldn’t until a UC Davis Olive Center class

UC Davis Olive Center executive director Javier Fernandez Salvador had hoodwinked every student in the room, including the young person who appeared to be a “supertaster.”

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

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!

Can dogs eat olives?

Atlas/xamtiw/Eric Isselée/Adobe Stock

Once you bring your pup into your home, they instantly become part of the family. There for every bedtime snuggle, a backyard game of fetch, and even sitting eagerly in the kitchen as you whip up dinner. Though giving your doggo a nibble of everything you're eating may be tempting, it's important to think twice before handing over scraps.

A few important contemplations here, but there are other opinions about feeding your dog olive oil.

Researchers find a way to expedite photosynthesis

By manipulating the genes that affect photosynthesis, the researchers increased yields in soybeans by 20 percent. The process could be repeated in other crops.