Australia’s ability to protect almost $100 billion of farming and tourism trade from pests and disease has been slammed in a damning report by the Auditor-General. The audit of biosecurity services has found that material that could risk the health of Australia's plants and animals has been incorrectly released by the authorities that are meant to stop it.
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The federal government has begun the process of reforming the nation's biosecurity, in response to several reviews that have highlighted a number of systemic challenges. Commonwealth Biosecurity 2030 aims to strengthen the biosecurity system by focusing on nine key areas, including how the system will be sustainably funded, which has remained an ongoing concern since the government suddenly backflipped on an importer levy last year. |
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Farmers will be able to claim a rebate of up to $10,000 for poison to try and wipe out the pests as desperation continues to grow.
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COVID restrictions: stay informed
Ongoing outbreaks remind 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:
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A water researcher says irrigators who take water unlawfully should face consequences that cannot be written off as a "cost of doing business". Major Victorian almond producer Brownport Almonds Pty Ltd was ordered to donate $27,500 to charity on Friday after it pleaded guilty to pumping 4,870 megalitres from the Murray River while its water accounts were in deficit throughout 2019.
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New soil research aims to increase agricultural productivity
The Soil CRC has announced funding for 12 new research projects with a total investment of $7 million. This significant boost to soil research brings the number of active Soil CRC projects to 41 and the total investment in projects to over $26 million since it commenced in 2017.
The new projects cover many of the soil related issues facing Australian farmers around soil health, farming systems, adoption and new technologies.
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Got something to sell? Or want to buy? Go direct to your target market – olive growers and producers
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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. 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.
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Wollundry Grove owners Bruce Spinks and Joo-Yee Lieu keep doing their bit to promote fresh, Australian olive products, recently showcasing their grove and practices in videos promoting the Wagga Wagga region.
Shot during the 2021 harvest, the first video featured on Sky News’ Paul Murray Live: Our Town Wagga Wagga – watch here at 51:51 – while the second is featured on the Visit Wagga Wagga tourism Facebook page here. There are no doubt opportunities like this in other regions – get in touch with your local tourism organisation and see how you get involved in future promotions.
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2021 Olive Industry Communications Survey – please share your feedback
The Australian Olive Association (AOA) operates a communications and extension program for the benefit of growers and our broader industry. With several years of the current program now completed, they are seeking your feedback to help measure the impact of the program.
They want to identify the most effective platforms for delivering R&D outcomes and technical information to you, and how this information has assisted your business. They’re also keen know if there are other sources of technical information you use, to ensure they’ve got the right mix.
The survey asks questions about various aspects of the communications and extension program. All answers remain confidential and will only be reported as aggregated numbers or anonymous comments.
If you haven’t completed the survey yet, please grab a coffee and take five or 10 minutes to add your input.
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The mining lease at Christmas Island's phosphate operation is due to expire within 15 years, further diminishing the global supply of phosphate. (Supplied: Eric Chong)
With the global supply of phosphorous tipped to be exhausted within 300 years, West Australian farmers are moderating their use of the vital resource that some fear will become a geopolitical warfare tool in years to come. Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient, with no alternative.
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With the end of the financial year fast approaching, everyone is looking to their taxes. Whatever your business size, chances are tax will take up a bit of your time – but are you making the most of the opportunities it presents?
Prepared for orchardists, these tax insights and reminders as we approach the end of financial year may offer some useful suggestions.
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Plant Health Australia seeking new Non-Executive Directors |
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Plant Health Australia Limited (PHA) invites applications from persons wishing to be considered for appointment as Non-Executive Directors of the company. As a skills-based board and in line with specific requirements, candidates with extensive skills and experience in one of the following areas are encouraged to apply:
- plant industry production, industry operations and marketing as it relates to
- Australian plant biosecurity
- plant health policy and government policy processes, plant health management
- and international trends in plant health practices
- strategic planning, business and financial management and economics
- corporate leadership.
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New and extended IFAM flights |
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The International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) continues to provide new and extended flights for export freight, including a strong focus on key Asian markets.
New and extended flight routes announced recently include: Brisbane to Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Narita; Cairns to Singapore; Melbourne to Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Shanghai and Singapore; Toowoomba to Singapore; and Sydney to Narita. Incoming flights have also been extended.
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Public consultation—Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme |
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The Australian Government has announced a six week (10 June - 18 July 2021) consultation process on the future arrangements for Australia’s Pacific labour mobility initiatives, the Seasonal Worker Programme (SWP) and the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS).
The consultation aims to gather views on ways to improve, streamline and align the two programs to maximise benefits for employers, workers, and participating countries - while maintaining the breadth, quality and integrity of the programs, and strong worker welfare protections.
Find out more and input here. |
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Webinar: The utilisation of clays as carriers for pesticide delivery |
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Presented by Soil CRC Project Leader Dr Yanju Liu, University of Newcastle, this presentation focuses on utilisation of clay minerals as carrier materials for pesticide delivery to minimise residue effects and improve cost-effectiveness of pesticide application. It will be particularly looking at the characterisation and treatment of clays for pesticide delivery.
Date: Tuesday 15 June, 2021
Time: 12pm – 12:45pm
The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
Attendance is free - register here. |
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And more to catch-up on …
During 2020 a series of fortnightly webinars covered a wide range of topics focussing on the research activity in the Soil CRC. If you missed one – or all of them - you can find out more and watch them here. |
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OliveCare® Best Practice webinar series
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Presented by the Australian Olive Association’s OliveCare® Code of Best Practice Administrator Peter McFarlane over the next six weeks, three AOA OliveCare® Best Practice webinars will be of interest and value to all olive growers, processors and marketers of olive products, whether current members of the OliveCare® program or not.
Each will be run as a one hour Zoom meeting, with a 30-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute interactive Q&A session providing opportunity to clarify queries or issues.
Registration: attendees must register to gain access to each webinar, with a link to the session provided upon sign-up. Registration is FREE for all attendees.
Webinar 1: Grove Management Best Practice - 15 June, 12.30-1.30pm AEST. Register here. Webinar 2: EVOO & Flavoured Olive Oil Production Best Practice - 29 June, 12.30-1.30pm AEST. Register here. Webinar 3: Table Olives/Olive Paste Production Best Practice - 13 July, 12.30-1.30pm AEST. Register here. |
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This webinar series is part of the Olive levy project: 'Extending OliveCare to foster excellence in production of Australian olives’ (OL17006), funded by Hort Innovation, using the Hort Innovation olive research and development levy, co-investment from the Australian Olive Association and contributions from the Australian Government. |
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This two-day soil biology masterclass will provide you with the core knowledge and principles to assist in incorporating soil biology and health in management practices to sustainably increase productivity and profitability.
Learning how to harness the life in your soils for better farming outcomes, participants will:
- gain an in-depth understanding of the latest research in soil biology and health; the role of microbes in nutrient availability for plant growth and resistance against disease and pests;
- learn about the future direction of research, technologies and practices;
- network with our guest presenter and expert researchers.
Details: 4-5 August 2021, Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Campus - $395, including tour of WSU research facilities and networking dinner.
This is an ideal program for keen and innovative growers seeking to understand the benefits of soil biology as a driver of healthy crops and healthy foods in sustainable production environments.
Register here by 18 June 2021. |
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Horticulture Workforce Forum
Food & Fibre Gippsland (FFG), together with VegNET Gippsland, the Victorian Farmers Federation, TAFE Gippsland and Agriculture Victoria, will hold a Horticulture Workforce Forum in Sale on Tuesday, 22 June to update growers on initiatives in place to support them in growing, retaining and looking after their employees.
Topics include:
- Workplace Manslaughter & Farm Safety update
- Building a local workforce - updates on: TAFE Gippsland's horticulture courses: training solutions; Food & Fibre Gippsland's employment program: how it can help you attract, train and retain quality employees; Agriculture Victoria: Seasonal Workforce support.
- Showcasing jobs in horticulture - hear about the This is My Job video series and how it can benefit your business.
Details: Tuesday, 22 June - 11:30am to 2:30pm, Criterion Hotel, Sale.
Lunch and refreshments provided, registrations required for catering and COVID-Safe precautions.
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Every year, hundreds of thousands of olives go to waste in New Zealand’s parks, streets and back gardens. The Olive Oil Cooperative is doing something about that, writes Olivia Sisson.
They also remind consumers that there are “several other boutique, New Zealand made olive oils on the market” for those who can’t get to Canterbury. It’s a good plug for local EVOO and hopefully it’ll get people looking for producers in their region.
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The European Commission has announced that it will review European Union rules on genetically modified organisms (GMO), potentially paving the way to loosening restrictions on the use of gene-editing technology in the agriculture sector.
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The production value of the Italian agriculture sector fell to €59.6 billion in 2020, a 3.2 percent decrease compared to the previous year, new data from Italy’s National Institute for Statistics (Istat) show.
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Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news |
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We’re now nearly 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! |
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Let’s dispel a nutrition myth once and for all: Fat does not make you fat! Learn how olive oil helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight—deliciously. |
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A new report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says some of the causes of climate change may also be altering the nutritional composition of food.
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2021
11 June
Return of Invitation to Participate forms, AGOA – NE VIC
1 July
Entries open, Australian International Olive Awards
1 July
Entries open, Royal Adelaide Olive Awards
5 July
Closing date for entry forms and samples, AGOA – NE VIC
15 June
OliveCare® Best Practice Webinar 1: Grove Management
OliveCare® Best Practice Webinar 2: EVOO & Flavoured Olive Oil
OliveCare® Best Practice Webinar 3: Table Olives/Olive Paste Production
21 July
Entries open, Royal Tasmanian Fine food Awards
2 August
Entries open, Hunter Olive Show
4-5 August
Soil Health and Biology Masterclass 2021
13 August
Entries close, Royal Adelaide Olive Awards
16 August
Entries open Olives NZ EVOO Awards – New Zealand
23 August
Entries open, 2021 WA Olive Awards
29 August
Results announced, AGOA – NE VIC
September
Results announced, 2021 Sydney Fine Foods Olive Show 2nd June
1 September
Awards Dinner, Royal Adelaide Olive Awards
3 September
Entries close, Australian International Olive Awards
3 September
AGOA Presentation Dinner – Wangaratta, VIC
3 September
Entries close, Hunter Olive Show
9 September
Entries close, 2021 WA Olive Awards
10 September
Entries close Olives NZ EVOO Awards – New Zealand
7 October
Awards night, Hunter Olive Show
9 October
Olives NZ EVOO Awards Dinner – Wellington, NZ
15 October
Results announced, Australian International Olive Awards
15-17 October
2021 National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition - Devonport, Tasmania
20 October (TBC)
Results announced, 2021 WA Olive Awards
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Friday Olive Extracts is Published by: |
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Olivegrower Communications: |
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Olivegrower & Processor
March Issue
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Australian and New Zealand
Olive Industry Directory
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