Fruit producer SPC has been cleared of any wrongdoing by WorkSafe Victoria after the company decided to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for its staff. In August, SPC announced the Shepparton-based cannery wanted all of its 450 onsite workers to be fully vaccinated by November.

The cost of producing food is set to increase with the Chinese government expected to restrict the production and export of a crucial agricultural fertiliser. China's economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), is moving to restrict the production and export of phosphates until the middle of next year.

Rob McGavin, co-founder of Cobram Estate Olives Ltd (ASX: CBO), joins Owen Rask on The Australian Investors Podcast to talk about olive oil production and the Cobram’s story. Listen now to learn …

The continuing lockdowns across the country reminds us all that 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:

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, but what do you do with a surplus of olives? After draining jars of olives to use the brine for dirty martini cocktails, Sydney bartender Jason Crawley said he was left with dried up olives. To solve this problem, the Simple Syrup co-founder contacted olive companies and farmers, asking for their surplus brine so he could create his own cocktail syrup.

Farmers and exporters are struggling to sell their produce overseas as freight costs soar and shipping containers end up "in places they shouldn't". The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) claims average freight costs for Australian exporters have jumped six times over the past 18 months.

Millions of dollars worth of farm machinery bound for Fremantle Port has been diverted to the east coast due to an ongoing industrial dispute involving dock workers and one of Australia's biggest logistics providers.

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 Russell, who’s got fresh 2021 Frantoio 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.

Contract harvesters face a significant rise in insurance premiums, with up to $54,000 quoted to insure a new header and front this season. Australian Custom Harvesters president Rod Gribble said the prices were unsustainable, and they were putting the contract harvesting profession at risk.

Over 15 years, Stephen and Sui Tham turned their retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life into a multi-award winning olive oil brand.

A leading conservation body is taking extraordinary legal action over a NSW government water sharing plan, alleging the government and two individual ministers have breached the Water Management Act. 

Watch the next-generation microwave technology at work during this virtual field walk recording in Cowra, New South Wales. 

Liam Hescock and the team from Growave showcase the next-generation microwave technology in beetroot and asparagus fields in Cowra, and answer questions from the audience. Grower Ed Fagan discusses his experience and expectations with controlling wireweed, caltrop (catheads) and nutgrass.

The session is facilitated by Marc Hinderager from Applied Horticultural Research, who also participates in the discussions.

Watch here.

PHA has launched an online plant biosecurity surveillance course aimed at strengthening industry and government’s plant biosecurity response readiness and resilience. Funded by the Australian Government and available on PHA’s Biosecurity Online Training (BOLT) platform, the free course outlines basic surveillance terminology and principles

Find out more and register here.

The drum roll is sounding … with just seven days to count down until the major winners are announced for this year’s Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA). The sensational 2021 harvest means the stakes are high, with plenty of tough competition to be named 2021’s Best!

Who will take the major awards, and the accolades and sales which go with them? 

Don’t miss the opportunity to be there as the winners are announced at the AIOA Virtual Gala Presentation, starting at 5pm AEST on Friday, 15 October. Register here, then frock up or trackie down and join us for the celebrations!

Registrations are about to close, so if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to make sure you’re signed up for the 2021 AOA National Olive Industry Virtual Conference. Running from Tuesday, 12 October to Friday, 15 October, the event comprises four two-hour interactive Zoom sessions, held each day at 3:00-5:00pm (AEST). The sessions will feature informative presentations from both industry and external experts, with delegates invited to ask questions and contribute comments live.

Registration is required, and you can register for all sessions or sign up separately for each.

Cost: AOA Members - Free; Non-Members - $30 plus GST per session or $100 plus GST for all sessions.

Tuesday, 12 October – The Big Picture (the economy, trade, export, local markets) – register here

Wednesday, 13 October – Biosecurity (Xyllela, fruit fly, other threats) – register here

Thursday, 14 October - Factors Influencing Olive Yields (frost, biennial bearing, canopy management) – register here

Friday, 15 October - Olives & Olive Oil in Food - (table olives, cooking with olives, health and wellness) – register here

Followed at 5:30-7:00pm by 2021 Australian International Olive Awards Virtual Gala Presentation – FREE registration here

Full week of sessions - register here

A new report highlights the major transformation that the olive sector is undergoing, with modern groves set to replace many traditional ones. A considerable number of traditional olive groves are neglected by the owners or outright abandoned, according to the latest report by the Spanish Traditional Grove Association (Asolite).

The International Olive Council, Coi, announces today that in the first ten months of the 2020/2021 agricultural campaign, olive oil exports to China and Japan decreased by 5.2% and 16.5%, respectively. By contrast, from September 2020 to July 2021, table olive imports grew by 8%.

Some of the most common effects of aging on cognitive abilities may be curtailed by adhering to the Mediterranean diet, according to a new study published in Clinical Nutrition.

We’re now more than half-way through 2021, 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!

While you should always check with your veterinarian before making any additions to your cat’s diet, there’s reason to believe that olive oil (in moderation) may provide some benefits for your feline friend. But is it the absolute best choice? Let’s dive in.

Italian olive oil production is expected to reach between 290,000 and 310,000 tons in the 2021/22 crop year, according to Italia Olivicola and AIFO, the Italian association of olive oil mill operators.

Olivera Olives are being recalled in Canada for possible Clostridium botulinum contamination. This pathogen creates the botulism toxin under anaerobic and low acid conditions, which can cause illness and death. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this item.

This is why the Australian industry has the OliveCare® Code of Practice, which assists producers in ensuring good business practice with HAACP-style food production controls. Find out more and sign up here.

Some of the scientists behind Nutri-Score have published a new study showing that the front-of-pack-labeling (FOPL) system effectively helped consumers choose olive oil over less healthy cooking oil alternatives.

Olives NZ EVOO Awards Dinner – Wellington, NZ

Olives NZ Focus Grove Project Field Day – Northland, NZ

2021 Virtual National Olive Conference - Online

Results announced, 2021 WA Olive Awards

Olives NZ Focus Grove Project Field Day – Hawke’s Bay, NZ

Olives NZ Focus Grove Project Field Day – Nelson, NZ

Olives NZ Focus Grove Project Field Day – Canterbury, NZ

World’s Biggest Virtual Olive Oil Tasting

Olives NZ Focus Grove Project Field Day – Wairarapa, NZ

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

Advertising: editor@olivegrower.com.au

Subscribe to Olivegrower & Processor magazine secretariat@australianolives.com.au