26 January 2024

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

Today's Top Story

Here's what's been pulling the strings on Australia's weather recently - and it's not just El Niño

The impact of the Southern Annular Mode. (Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology).

From a parched, hot September and October - on the brink of extreme drought - to flooding rains in summer, the past few months have thrown up a range of weather extremes across the country. Much of it comes down to the natural variability of weather in general. But in the background, several climate drivers have been helping guide the weather in certain directions - and not just El Niño.

Australia

Albanese offers extra powers for ACCC to battle supermarket price gouging

Increased margins helped Coles post a $1.1bn full-year profit at its most recent full-year results, while Woolworths lifted its annual profit to $1.6bn. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Anthony Albanese has offered to give the competition watchdog extra powers to combat price gouging, after comments from the regulator suggesting it could sue grocery giants for deceptive special discounts.

Strict new-car emissions standards coming to Australia from 2025, utes and 4WDs among hardest hit

The Federal Government has announced strict emissions standards for new petrol and diesel-powered vehicles, planned for introduction from 2025 – as well as upgrades to the quality of petrol sold locally – intended to catch Australia up with Europe and other developed regions.

Something to keep in mind when it’s time to replace your vehicle/s.

Gilmore’s little big olive oil producers

Paul and Chrissy Massey at Gilmore Valley Grove were thrilled to take out two gold medals at the Australian International Olive Awards with their prize-winning Rusty Bus Olive Oil.

Gilmore Valley Grove and it’s Rusty Bus Extra Virgin Olive Oil might be small players in the Olive Oil game, but they are building a big reputation. Paul and Chrissy Massey entered the Grove’s Oil in the Australian International Olive Awards held in Canberra late last year and won gold medals in two different categories, Robust and Varietal.

It’s great to see that three months after the awards were announced, the accolades are still coming for AIOA winners.

Royal Agricultural Societies working to attract more people to shows during cost-of-living crisis

They are a highlight of any rural events calendar, but as the high cost-of-living continues to bite, communities are innovating to ensure their agricultural shows go on.

Our suggestion is EVOO and table olive tastings at all shows. That’ll bring the punters!

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. 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.

What could an ag trade apprenticeship look like?

Skills Insight is inviting industry members to engage in a brief survey to share your insights on the potential benefits of an ag trade apprenticeship program. The survey will also consider the dynamics at play that must be addressed for long-term success. Trainers, employers, employees or potential learners are all encouraged to participate.

The survey and example qualification are available on the Skills Insight website here until 28 January.

Events

Farm connectivity rebates webinar

The National Farmers’ Federation and Regional Tech Hub are running a free webinar unpacking the On Farm Connectivity Program rebates now available under the new $30 million Australian Government program, providing an opportunity to upgrade your farm with the latest technology.

In this info-packed 60 minutes, you’ll learn about:

how approved suppliers have helped farmers access the grant and improve their farming operations;
the questions you need to ask a supplier;
the free and independent advice provided to primary producers across Australia by the Regional Tech Hub.

Whether you’re just exploring your options or ready to dive in, this webinar will provide practical guidance around upgrading connectivity on your farm.

When: 1 February, 12noon AEDT. Register here.

Webinar: Co-ops 101 for Olive Growers

The AOA’s extension program is getting off and running early this year, with an interactive webinar exploring the opportunities provided by co-operative business operations.

Combining learning and discussion, the session will look at how mutuality and co-operation can collectively solve a problem and form foundations for shared ownership among olive growers. It will specifically cover the foundations of ‘what is a co-op’, with case studies shared for inspiration and discussion.

Hosted by the AOA, the webinar will be presented by Clare Fountain from Co-operative Bonds, supported by the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM). Clare has contributed to national co-op development programs Farming Together and Co-operative Farming, and is currently contributing to the Care Together program of the BCCM.

Details:

Wednesday, 7 February @ 11:00-11:45am AEDT.

Matakana Olive Co-operative Webinar

Details of the second webinar on co-operatives have now been confirmed, so please lock Monday, 19 February at 11am AEDT into your diaries.

This webinar will build on the foundation information on co-operatives, with Mahurangi Olives (New Zealand) owner David Sullivan sharing his experience of the successful Matakana Olive Co-operative in practice.

New Zealand

Mamma mia! Is NZ facing an olive oil crisis?

There are fears New Zealand could become caught up in an overseas shortage of a common kitchen ingredient: olive oil.

GROWER TO GROWER

Deterring Rosella parrots

Last year Michael Peck’s Campaspe Bend grove was stripped of fruit by Rosella parrots. With harvest 2024 only a few months off, he’s keen to ensure it doesn’t happen again, and would like to hear from anyone who has discovered an effective way of deterring Rosellas.

If you’ve got a solution you can share, please contact Michael at mpeck2@telstra.com. We’d be keen to know too, so please copy us in via editor@grower.com.au. Thanks in advance!

International

Chickens fed olive oil are more resilient to environmental stressors, study finds

Separate research has also found that olive oil consumption improves the health of chicken meat and eggs for human consumption.

18 farmers in Sevilla fall victim to olive fraud

Imagine entrusting your hard-earned olive harvest only to be deceived. This was the harsh reality for 18 farmers in Carmona, Sevilla, victims of a fraudulent olive scheme.

This one involves not just product quality issues but fruit left to rot – fraud and waste!

Ford makes car parts from olive tree waste and biocomposites to reduce plastic use

Ford has already produced car parts from recycled olive tree waste.

Ford is advancing its efforts to produce car parts from recycled and discarded olive tree waste, including branches, twigs, and leaves, by blending them with biocomposites to reduce plastic usage in manufacturing and avoid burning refuse.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

Now that we’re back after the break, the Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) team will continue to bring all the latest industry news and events to your Inbox every week during 2024. 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!

Organic farm in Jaén blazes a trail for selling carbon credits

O.Live generates about 4.5 carbon credits per hectare from its 1,000 hectares of organic groves, establishing a model for producers to increase revenue.

Mediterranean diet during pregnancy improves infant neurological development

Two-year-olds born to mothers who followed the Mediterranean diet or stress reduction during pregnancy exhibited better scores in cognitive and social-emotional domains.

Faced with aging workforce, Olive Center educates next generation of ag. pros

Javier Fernandez-Salvador (second from left) and Olea Learn students.

The Olea Learn program teaches undergraduates the necessary agronomic and business skills to run an olive farming and olive oil production business.

Greek olive oil exports exceeded €1 billion in 2023 for the first time!

Food exports in the 11th month of 2023 amounted to €6.9 billion from €6.3 billion, showing an increase of 9% or €573 million, compared to the corresponding period last year - only the sales of virgin olive oil in the international markets are estimated to exceed €1 billion in 2023.

Rise in production of Italian PDO and PGI olive oils, new report reveals

An estimated 23,500 operators produced 13,500 tons of extra virgin olive oil with geographical indications in 2022, but their export value remained stable at €62 million.