11 November 2022

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

Today's Top Story

River Murray flows to peak at new high putting thousands of properties at risk

The River Murray at Swan Hill earlier this week. (ABC News: Francesco Salvo)

Up to 165 gigalitres a day is now expected to flow down the River Murray into South Australia from early December, putting an estimated 3,680 properties at risk. There is a moderate possibility of 200GL a day and a lesser probability of 220GL a day, with higher flows expected to reach the state earlier than first predicted.

Australia

Increased flood resources for Victorian growers

On 1 November additional primary producer supports were announced in response to the flooding event across Victoria, including:

Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 to support clean-up and recovery activities for primary producers, replacing the $10,000 Primary Producer Clean Up and Recovery Grant;

Rural Landholder Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible rural landholders operating smaller-scale primary production enterprises, to support clean-up and recovery activities;

Additional Agriculture Technical and Decision-Making Support for Victorian farm businesses to respond to, and recover from, the impacts of the floods;

Additional funding for the Rural Financial Counselling Service to provide free and accessible financial counselling to flood-affected primary producers.

Find out more here.

NSW grants and payments for people affected by floods

A range of grants and payments is also available to people affected by severe weather and flooding in NSW.

Find out more here.

Flood-affected farmers call for more funding to build more resilient infrastructure ahead of third La Niña

Sheep amid the floodwaters on Scott Darcey's farm near Forbes. (Supplied)

Farmers who are among those worst hit by on-going, major flooding are bracing for higher-than-average rainfall forecast over the summer. For months, producers like Scott Darcey - who runs a mixed farming operation near Forbes in central-west New South Wales - have been hit by floods triggered by even the smallest falls.

Fourth COVID-19 wave has arrived in Queensland, says Premier, masks advised from Friday

The Premier says Queensland's fourth COVID-19 wave has begun, prompting authorities to recommend masks in certain settings from tomorrow. Annastacia Palaszczuk told state parliament there had been an increase in active cases in the past week and a doubling in the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals.

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 products or equipment – like Russell, who has surplus high-quality EVOO for sale. 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.

Door opens for US to send apples to Australia despite industry maintaining biosecurity risks

The United States has been given the green light to send fresh apples to Australia, after more than 20 years of lobbying. The announcement comes after Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry announced it had completed a risk analysis for the importation of fresh apples from Pacific Northwest states of the US.

While there is reported a local oversupply and those risks include incurable diseases …

Reports of alligator weed in Menindee Lakes system debunked after Western Local Land Services probe

Weeds spotted in the Menindee Lakes are not alligator weed, as reported by a local resident. (Supplied: WaterNSW)

Members of the Menindee community and the Western Local Land Services (LLS) have officially put reports of the noxious alligator weed in the Menindee Lake system to bed.

Interesting info and a call to action on surveillance for those in the region.

Closure of Paradiso Garden of Eden Olive Oil

The AOA is saddened by news of the passing of SA producer Peter Eden, award-winning owner of Paradiso Garden of Eden Olive Oil and a valued active member of the SA olive community.

Peter's family have made the difficult decision to close the Paradiso Garden of Eden Olive Oil business and sell the grove and property. They have a number of items which they hope may be useful to another local business and are offering them for sale: access the list here.

If you are interested in any of the items, please contact Michael Eden on 0425 464 212.

Free training on monitoring your farm with Agtech

A one-day workshop has been developed with specialist agriculture and rural industries training provider Tocal College to provide Farms of the Future (FoTF) training around Agtech.

Producers will learn about Agtech device and connectivity options, and how Agtech can assist them to make informed business decisions, enhance on farm safety, save time and labour costs and improve productivity. The skills and knowledge gained will enable participants to prepare a digital installation plan for their farm.

The Farms of the Future team are trialling two half-day training sessions on 22nd November 2022 (attendance at only one needed). The training program is a prerequisite course for the Farms of the Future grants program which will be released in 2023.

Find out more and register here.

Austrade website upgrade helps exporters connect to markets

Austrade has just completed a expansion of the export.business.gov.au website, with Australian food and agribusiness exporters now able to search for insights on the best places to sell more than 6,300 products into more than 120 markets.

The site now includes data-driven guidance on how to find strong markets for your specific product based on Austrade’s bespoke Trade Information Model.

Access the site and the market search tool here.

Events

Olives South Australia AGM

The 2022 Olives South Australia AGM will be held on 23 November at the Halifax Cafe, Halifax St, Adelaide, commencing at 6pm. There will be light food and refreshments at the conclusion.

All existing and potential new members are invited to attend.

Please RSVP to President Michael Johnston on 0419 815 839, to assist with catering.

New Zealand

Stink bug campaign ramps up

Biosecurity New Zealand is ramping up a public awareness campaign to encourage people to report possible sightings of brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), a major threat to Aotearoa New Zealand’s horticulture industry.

BMSB infests several horticultural crops, causing damage to flowers, stems, leaves and fruit of host plants. Significant crops likely to be affected in New Zealand include apples, corn, wine grapes, kiwifruit, and a range of stone fruit varieties.

While it may not directly affect your olive crop, it’s up to all growers to be vigilant and play your part in protecting New Zealand from a BMSB incursion. The recent detection of two live BMSB at Auckland Airport demonstrates that the risk is real.

Anyone who thinks they've found BMSB is asked to catch it, snap it (take a photo), and report it. The find can be reported online here or via Biosecurity New Zealand’s phone hotline - 0800 80 99 66.

More information about BMSB is available on the Biosecurity New Zealand website here.

International

Producers in Abruzzo seek PGI certification

Farmers and producers in Italy’s fifth-largest producing region hope the PGI will add value to their olive oils and mitigate rising production costs.

Poland retains title at World Olive Picking Championship

Team Poland (Photo: Domagoj Blazevic).

The four-member team harvested 48.6 kilgrams of olives, slightly edging out hosts Croatia at the fifth edition of the contest.

In case you want to follow up on a picking team with a proven track record for efficiency!

Authorities fear Europe’s drought will stretch through winter

The president of an Italian irrigation association criticized the “silence” of the European Commission on the matter and called for a continental plan.

Record harvest in Herzegovina heralds expansion of olive growing in Western Balkans

Herzegovina produced 280,000 liters of olive oil. Officials plan to triple the amount of land dedicated to olive growing in the coming years.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

heading towards the end of, 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!

Olive growers in Extremadura ask for expansion of wage subsidies

The combination of rising production costs and expectations of the worst olive harvest in recorded history has led growers to ask Madrid for financial aid.

Date, rye, and olive oil brownies

Kristin Teig

Rye flour, with its hints of nutty and malty flavor, perfectly complements the cocoa and dates in these fudgy brownies, and olive oil faintly underlines the fruity bitterness of chocolate. The key to these brownies is to not overbake them!

A handy olive oil recipe to share with those who don’t/can’t eat processed sugar.