Many Australians have been supportive of the border closure between New South Wales and Victoria to stop the spread of COVID-19, however it is causing problems for some. Permits have been granted to critical workers that need to commute between the two states but many farmers have not been approved for travel, meaning they can't go to their properties in New South Wales.
FOE’s editor has spoken with an olive grower in the region who can’t collect their mail now, as their PO box is located over the border!
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Vale Mario Codarin
The industry has been saddened by news of the sudden passing of Victorian producer Mario Codarin on 3 August.
A passionate grower and EVOO processor, Mario and his wife Eila established their Mount of Olives
Grove at Fish Creek in 2000 and have produced high quality EVOO since.
Mario was active within the industry and will be sadly missed as a foundation member of the Gippsland Olive Growers Association and Southern Gippsland Olives, and an Australian Olive Association member. Along with Eila, Mario was also an open and generous contributor to the annual Olivegrower & Processor Harvest Outlook report, sharing his experiences and learnings over years in the grove.
Our most sincere condolences to Eila and the extended Codarin family for their loss.
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The appreciation of the farmer could be an unexpected but positive outcome from Australia's COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020. As housebound residents took up the opportunity of growing something in their own backyards, many discovered the difficulties that stem from trying to grow an edible, as well as presentable, piece of fresh produce.
Consensus is that the shutdown may have sparked renewed, and much needed, interest in horticulture as a career.
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Former ADF chief Sir Angus Houston. Picture: Ray Strange.
Former head of the Australian Defence Force Sir Angus Houston has been appointed as chairman of the Murray Darling Basin Authority. The body administers the Murray Darling Basin Plan, an agreement struck between the federal and state governments to manage the health of the water system that spans four states and one territory, as well as water-sharing arrangements.
and more on water …
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Farmers have been told to watch the skies, as the price of Murray-Darling Basin water will be heavily influenced by how much rain falls in the next couple of months. Leading water market expert Aither released its market review of 2019/20 and its outlook for 2020/21, which stated the new water year was "on a knife's edge".
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Water brokers agree with the national competition regulator - they need to be more tightly regulated and officially qualified to trade in the Murray Darling Basin system.
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On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate (OFEWIR) Scheme – were you impacted?
The Federal Government’s On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate (OFEWIR) Scheme offered 25% rebates for bore drilling and dam desilting under the Drought Relief measures. Administered at state level, the $50M scheme was supposed to run over three years, however funds were exhausted in a few months after the scheme scope was extended to include permanent tree and vine horticulture crops. Some growers who had applied were not informed about the exhaustion of funds and many went ahead with bore and dam projects, expecting to receive the 25% agreed rebate.
A register is currently being compiled of growers across the country who have been personally impacted in this way, with an aim to get further funds allocated to the scheme. If that’s you, please email Jane Richter via jane@teres.com.au with the following details:
- Contact name, Email address and Mobile phone number
- Farm crop/s
- Address (suburb, state, postcode)
- Project details: dam or bore and number
- Value of rebate sought (inc GST)
- Date of Rebate Application
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Steve has a WORKING ANTIQUE OLIVE PRESS FOR SALE and he’s letting you all know through the OliveBiz Classifieds
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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 – like Steve, who’s got a working antique press 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. In short, OliveBiz Classifieds are THE intra-industry way to sell, buy and source.
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.
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Roses fresh from Ecuador are sold to florists at high end floral designers across Australia. Other flower imports end up at supermarkets. (Armin Azad)
It's not unusual for brides inspired by celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Megan Markle to spend $150,000 on wedding flowers. But that yearning for thousands of buds comes at a cost to local flower growers — at least half the flowers sold in Australia come from countries like Kenya, Colombia and Ecuador.
Figures like pests in 63% of imports from one source country are seriously scary!
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Pro bono chartered accountants services for bushfire and drought affected farmers |
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Joining forces with not-for-profit Rural Aid, members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) across Australia will donate their time and financial skills to help bushfire and drought affected farmers get back on their feet. Rural Aid registered primary producers will be assisted through the oft-complicated process of applying for government grants, insurance claims and assistance programs, allowing them to concentrate on looking after their livestock, crops and their farms.
Rural Aid registered primary producers can contact Rural Aid on 1300 327 624 to access the assistance, and you can find out more about the CAANZ intiative here. |
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Business Research & Innovation Initiative funding
The Ministry for Industry, Science and Technology is looking for solutions in five challenge areas, with two related to agriculture:
- revolutionising agricultural spray applications
- turning farm crops into a renewable hydrogen source
Do you have an idea that could solve these problems? Are you already working on a solution? Accepted applications will receive up to $100,00 to conduct a feasibility study, and if successful, up to $1 million to develop a proof of concept.
$12 million in seed funding is available and challenge-specific webinars will be held shortly, so register your interest now via BRII@industry.gov.au. Applications close on 10 September. |
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Webinar: converse, connect and stay well
The first of three webinars looking at ensuring mental health, particularly in changing workplace conditions, will explore how the right, purposeful conversations can smooth connections with people at work and at home. Confident Conversations With Purpose will uncover the difficult conversations you can expect at work under new conditions - and how your wellbeing can depend on the way you handle them. Attendees will learn how to:
- recognise other people’s anxiety
- handle awkward conversations with grace and confidence
- converse with purpose
- solve problems to get the outcomes you need – at work & at home
- and help everyone around you to regain and retain a healthy mental balance.
Details:
Friday, 28 August 2020, 11:30am AEST
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VIC: Funding for small-scale and craft agribusinesses |
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Small-scale and craft producers across the state have received a funding boost to help grow their businesses and generate jobs thanks to grants from the Victorian Government. More than 130 businesses are sharing in $2 million from the Small-Scale and Craft Program Business Development Grants to help them scale up, expand operations and diversify their product ranges.
Applications for streams one and two in 2020 are now closed but you can find out more, and register for 2021 notification, here. |
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Got a business idea? Join the F2F Ideas Program
Applications are now open for four sponsored positions in the Farmers2Founders Ideas Program, a 12 week coaching program that helps producers with an idea for a new business to get started. Designed for primary producers with fresh ideas for a new agtech, hardware/implement, or value-adding business, the program equips producers with the tools and knowledge needed to test their idea and learn whether they have a viable new venture or commercialisation opportunity.
Applications close 21 August - more information and apply here. |
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Webinar: Research to strengthen Australia's fruit fly system |
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The National Fruit Fly Council is running a webinar on the Research Program for Strengthening Australia’s Fruit Fly System, which is jointly funded by the Australian Government and state and territory governments. The webinar will feature presentations on the three projects currently funded by the program.
Details: 17 August at 2pm AEST. More details and join in here. |
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ONLY THREE WEEKS UNTIL CLOSING AND MAIL DELIVERY IS UNPREDICTABLE … send your entries for the Australian International Olive Awards NOW or you’ll miss your chance to win!
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There are now only three weeks to go until entries close for the 2020 Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA). It’s taking that long for some letters to arrive by post, so if you haven’t entered yet, send your entries off TODAY!
This year’s judging is being undertaken internationally by panels across the globe, providing an unprecedented opportunity for recognition and the marketing benefits that follow:
- medals, trophies, industry recognition
- promotion, media coverage and increased sales
- organoleptic appraisal for EVOO status and eligibility for OliveCare® accreditation
- each entry will also be featured in the 2020 Results Book, a high-quality publication provided to all entrants, judges and media
Key dates
Entries close: 4 September 2020 at 5pm CST
Winners announced: 5 October 2020 via email; online Awards Presentation event in mid-October as part of the AOA 2020 Virtual Conference.
Full competition details and entry forms are available on the AIOA
*Don’t forget that AOA members pay heavily discounted AIOA entry prices, so check your 20/21 membership invoice has been received and paid before submitting your entries. If in doubt, contact Liz Bouzoudis on 0478 606 145 or secretariat@australianolives.com.au. |
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DON’T MISS OUT – SEND YOUR ENTRIES TODAY
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Watch: August 2020 Seasonal Climate Update webinars |
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A recording of the recent seasonal climate webinar by Agriculture Victoria's seasonal risk agronomist Dale Grey is now available. The webinar was held on Wednesday, 12 August, with Grey providing updated information on current climatic and soil moisture conditions, as well as oceanic and atmospheric conditions affecting south eastern Australia and the latest predictions for the coming months.
The recording runs for approximately 60 minutes – watch it here. |
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Farmers have blamed the rapid spread of the wildfires on dead olive trees that were killed by Xylella fastidiosa and never removed by local governments. Some politicians have insinuated that these trees are being intentionally burned.
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A newly-published paper in the scientific magazine, Nutrients, suggests that the Nutri-Score system may be the most effective front-of-pack label (FoPL) when it comes to helping consumers rank food items by nutritional quality.
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06-Aug-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup
Could children's pester power (the influence kids have over their family’s eating behaviors) be a force for promoting positive and healthy eating behaviors at home?
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Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news |
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With 2020 now well 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! |
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Beware the mistakes in growing strategies when the olive tree is treated as a machine.
A really interesting opinion piece providing food for thought.
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What are the risks of bringing vine cuttings back from European trips...?
The response is concerning. Given they’re referencing Xylella, and the risks are therefore catastrophic, it should have been a definitive NO.
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The California Olive Oil Council (COOC) has rescinded its original 2020/21 membership agreement after a swift backlash from many of the state’s farmers and olive oil producers.
The issue is over brand protection and the marketing of local oils blended with imported product.
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2020
24 August
Entries open, 2020 WA Olive Awards – Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition
29 August
Results announced, Golden Olive Awards – Vic, Australia
September TBA
World Team Tasting Championship
4 September
Entries close, 2020 Australian International Olive Awards
4 September
Organic Regenerative Conference 2020 – Wellington, NZ
11 September
Entries close, 2020 Hunter Olive Show – Hunter Valley, NSW
11 September
Entries close, 2020 NZ EVOO Awards – Wellington, NZ
11 September
Entries close, 2020 WA Olive Awards – Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition
5 October
Results emailed to entrants, 2020 Australian International Olive Awards
10 October
Awards Dinner, 2020 NZ EVOO Awards – Wellington, NZ
10 October
Olives NZ 2020 Conference – Wellington, NZ
10 October
2020 NZ EVOO Awards – Wellington, NZ
19 October
Results emailed to entrants, 2020 WA Olive Awards – Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition
22 October
Awards Presentation, 2020 Hunter Olive Show – Hunter Valley, NSW
2021
23-25 March
Soil CRC Participants Conference
7-9 June
Hort Connections 2021 – Brisbane, Qld
15-17 October
AOA National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition – Devonport, TAS
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Friday Olive Extracts is Published by: |
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Olivegrower Communications: |
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Olivegrower & Processor
June Issue
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Australian and New Zealand
Olive Industry Directory
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