Giant drones and robotic sprayers might sound like something from an alien world. But the new technology that has the ability to precisely spray weeds is being seen as the key to reducing the risk of chemical spray drifting onto neighbouring properties and paddocks full of crops.

The New South Wales government will subsidise half the hotel quarantine cost of agricultural workers in a bid to remedy the state's labour shortage as the nation's crop losses exceed $52 million since December.

Finding the right people at the right time and place to keep businesses running has always been a challenge in horticulture. COVID-19 has exacerbated these issues and put them into even sharper focus. 

A farmer in plague-ravaged central west New South Wales is believed to be the first known person in Australia to contract a rodent-borne form of meningitis.

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, extra oil - or even your grove. 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.

For decades, South Australia claimed the title of being the only mainland state free of fruit fly - but that prized status came under serious threat just over a year ago. While vast tracts of metropolitan Adelaide are now caught up in a series of outbreaks, it is the spread of the pest in the Riverland region which has growers on tenterhooks. Extensive eradication efforts are currently underway, and authorities are confident the outbreaks will eventually be brought under control.

More than 40 regional Victorian areas will have improved access to mobile phone coverage within the next 18 months as the state government continues to roll out the Mobile Black Spot Program.

The recent lockdown in Queensland has shown that it’s important to keep up with the changing status of pandemic regulations. You can access state-specific information on COVID-19 from the links below:

Farmers in New South Wales have raised concerns as a severely invasive weed show signs of resistance towards a key herbicide, in a nationwide first. South East Local Land Services investigated 12 populations of African lovegrass from the New South Wales Snowy Monaro region, with results showing five samples tested had become resistant to the herbicide Flupropanate.

Landowners on the bushfire-ravaged NSW Far South Coast face the daunting task of removing varieties of unwanted weeds, which have grown out of control following decent rainfall.

Almost anything moved onto your property can be a potential source of pests and diseases for your production areas. You can minimise the biosecurity risks when introducing new planting material by implementing a few simple procedures to your routine.

Take advantage of the checks and controls of Biosecure HACCP, used by nursery providers, to ensure you don’t inadvertently introduce something onto your property.

Read more.

The International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) continues to keep global air links open through the COVID-19 pandemic, with ongoing new and extended flights for export freight, including a strong focus on key Asian markets.

Flights regularly change, however, so it’s important to check on current schedules when planning your export activity. 

Contact your preferred freight forwarder to access available flights and for more information and flight details, visit the IFAM webpage or download the IFAM Flight Schedule Outbound.

Being run by the University of Adelaide Business school, in a joint project with the Local Government Association, this research project is looking at the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on businesses, including reduced activity or temporary business closures, staff reductions and disruptions to logistics, among other issues. 

Also considering the role of policymakers and their ability to reduce threats to business survival, this project will build a framework for policymakers (specifically local government) so that they can better understand the required initiatives/programs, depending on businesses’ specific circumstances.

Take part in the survey here.

Cover crops protect the soil from water and wind erosion, as well as add biomass to help maintain and build soil organic matter. Join researcher Dr Kelvin Montagu and Tasmanian vegetable grower Darren Long in Manjimup, Western Australia, to hear their experience with – and research into – cover crops in the horticulture industry.

This free, practical workshop will be held on Friday 30 April, subject to COVID-19 restrictions. Spaces are limited, so register as soon as possible to ensure your attendance.

Find out more about the event and register online here.

The Australian Government has partnered with the Export Council of Australia to present a six-part Global Market Insights series. Each briefing session brings together experts to provide clarity on the current trading landscape and foresights for that international market. Discussions cover topics from recent trade agreements to new Government initiatives, including economic strategies and trade priorities. The next session will focus on The Middle East and Africa.

Details: Thursday, 29 April, 3-4pm AEST. Free, registration necessary.

More information and register here.

The Puglian regional government has given €160,000 to the Italian agritech startup Elaisian to expand its internet of things technology throughout olive groves in the region.

Extra virgin olive oil is the stealthy star ingredient in Wildgood, a new brand of non-dairy frozen desserts developed by a Greek artisanal ice cream maker. Sotiris Tsichlopoulos tapped his family’s olive groves to create a plant-based treat that has a creamy texture and low saturated fat content with no hint of olive oil taste.

The factory will receive up to 6,000 tons of pruning waste annually from olive groves with a 90-kilometer radius of the factory.

With 2021 now underway, 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!

Use the common pantry staple to turn any dessert into a restaurant-quality dish in just a few minutes. Here’s why olive oil whipped cream will have your table buzzing. 

Foods with an industrial trans fat content of more than two percent can no longer be placed on the European Union market, according to a new regulation from the European Commission.

Olives NZ Focus Grove Field Day - Northland

Olives NZ Focus Grove Field Day - Canterbury

Olives NZ Focus Grove Field Day - Nelson

Olives NZ Focus Grove Field Day - Wairarapa

Global Market Insights Seminar – The Middle East and Africa

Entries close, OLIVE JAPAN 2021 International Olive Oil Competition

Registrations close/samples due, EVO IOOC – Palmi, Italy

Farm2Plate Exchange 2021 – Scenic Rim, Qld

Winners announced, OLIVE JAPAN 2021 International Olive Oil Competition

Hort Connections 2021 – Brisbane, Qld

Entries open, Australian International Olive Awards

Entries open, Royal Tasmanian Fine food Awards

Entries open, Hunter Olive Show

Entries close, Australian International Olive Awards

Entries close, Hunter Olive Show

Awards night, Hunter Olive Show

Results announced, Australian International Olive Awards

2021 National Olive Conference & Trade 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

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