Robot technology is almost readily accessible for harvesting fruit on farms in Victoria. In a bid to address the seasonal worker shortage, several researchers and scientists are working hard to get the technology up to scratch for farmers. 

A $371m biosecurity package that puts a “protective ring” around the agricultural sector is to be announced by the prime minister, Scott Morrison, three years after the Coalition’s failed attempt to introduce a biosecurity levy on industry.

Certified growers and industry are pushing for mandatory regulation and certification of organic produce in Australia to improve consumer confidence and secure the industry's reputation.

Olive harvest kicked into gear this month and some growers in the South West finished picking their crops last week.

Ongoing infection leaks and restrictions mean 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::

The former managing director of CMPS&F, one of Australia's largest engineering and project management groups, has expressed alarm at the state of Australia's groundwater management strategy. While there has been strong focus on above ground water management, especially in the Murray Darling Basin, Grahame Campbell said it is a case of out of sight, out of mind for aquifer management.

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.

A serious decline in mobile phone coverage in recent months has left farmers and residents living in South Australia's rural Mallee region to call for more reliable service, especially in times of need.

This week, 2-8 May is International Compost Awareness Week Australia (ICAW), a week of activities, events and publicity to improve awareness of the importance of compost, a valuable organic resource and to promote compost use, knowledge and products. 

CAW is an initiative of (CORE), a not-for-profit organisation conducting year-round organic research, education and awareness activities.

There are only a couple of days left but you can still add your input with some on-farm composting activity this weekend or enter the composting in action photo competition. 

Find out more here and learn about accessing resources on composting, sustainable amendments for agriculture and lots more on the CORE website here.

Organisation of this year’s Olives NZ EVOO Awards is well underway, with key dates announced this week as follows:

Entries open - 16 August

Entries close - 10 September

Awards Dinner - 9 October in Wellington, NZ.

Olives NZ Executive Officer Gayle Sheridan said this year’s increased crop rate and grove health due to improved conditions will no doubt see stiff competition for the major awards, with reports of exceptional quality fruit across the country.

More information and view past winners here.

Assembly Bill 535, which would prohibit the use of the word ‘California’ on any olive oil label not made from 100-percent California-grown olives, continues to make its way through the state legislature.

Phytochemicals in olive oil hold the promise of protecting people against noncommunicable diseases, including diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis, as well as Covid-19, according to a review study published in Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.

You want to use olive oil for its health benefits and high polyphenols are being touted across the web as being THE healthy thing. So what does this mean to the eaters of the world?

New, first-of-its-kind 100% plant-based ice cream begins direct to consumer online sales on the heels of a successful grocery store roll-out.

Politicians from across the political spectrum in Spain are calling on the United States to drop its 35-percent tariff on black table olive imports.

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!

(Olive) industry professionals believe that the reopening of the food businesses could put the stagnant market back in motion.

Hundreds of olive growers joined demonstrations in Jaén this week to protest a stopgap measure to fund the agriculture sector until the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) comes into force in 2023.

Following the production of biogas from livestock waste, anaerobic digestion technology is now emerging as a solution for managing olive mill wastewater in Greece.

Entries close, 2021 Sydney Fine Foods Olive Show 

Entries open Olives NZ EVOO Awards – New Zealand

Entries close Olives NZ EVOO Awards – New Zealand

9 October       

Olives NZ EVOO Awards Dinner – Wellington, 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