Ag job demand; Electric trucks on the way; World olive oil prices rising

09 September 2022

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

Today's Top Story

'Unprecedented' demand for agriculture workers, with six job vacancies per graduate

Ms Griffiths says studying agriculture opens hundreds of doors. (Supplied: Grace Griffiths)

There are six jobs to every agriculture graduate in 2022. But this is not a new figure, with graduate numbers consistent over the past four to five years. So why is an industry with excellent job prospects struggling to attract workers?

Australia

Australia's new Fire Danger Rating System's impact on harvest bans to be tested by Esperance Shire

Volunteer firefighters in Western Australia's far south-east are worried an overhaul of Australia's fire danger rating system will create a burden for local farmers. The new Australian Fire Danger Rating System was rolled out across the country this month.

Global shortage of semiconductor chips causing challenges for farmers wanting to embrace ag tech

Charlie Mackinnon is a farmer from Longford who relies on technology to run his farm. (ABC Rural: Lachlan Bennett)

If you are trying to get your hands on a new car, the latest phone, or gadget, you may have had to wait due to the global shortage of semiconductor chips. But the tech crunch is not just disrupting manufacturers of electronic goods; it's also impacting farmers trying to modernise their operations.

COVID restrictions: stay informed

While restrictions have now largely lifted, 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:

Vic- https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/
ACT - https://www.covid19.act.gov.au
New South Wales - https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Queensland - https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/
South Australia - https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/
Tasmania - https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/
Western Australia - https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus

Australian Farmer of the Year Michael Taylor shows how farming diversity can lead to sustainability

The small forests provide shade for sheep and protects the soil. (ABC New England North West: Jennifer Ingal

Since taking over management of the family farm in 2008, Michael Taylor never imagined diversity he brought to its rolling hills would see him crowned the 2022 Farmer of the Year. That is exactly what has happened, though, with Mr Taylor recognised for the way he has kept traditional roots alive while diversifying the operation to ensure its survival and sustainability.

While another winner has a different focus …

Australia's Young Farmer of the Year for 2022, Brad Egan says precision is key to success

Gut instinct is only part of the story for Brad Egan. The 27-year-old grower is a big believer in precision agriculture and has spent countless hours gathering and crunching data on his family's 3,400-hectare farm at Scaddan, north of Esperance, WA. "It's led to us converting 'gut feel' into data-driven decisions," he said.

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 Ben, who has an OMB semi-manual labeller 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 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.

First electric logging truck to be trialled in SA's Green Triangle forestry region

Janus Electric's robotic charge station removes the need for electric trucks to stop and charge (Supplied: Janus Electric)

One of Australia's largest forestry regions hopes to transform the freight industry with a local harvester trialling an electric truck. Fennell Forestry is set to take possession of the Green Triangle's first electrified logging B-double this month with a purpose-built charging station under construction in its yard.

Fair Work Ombudsman continues farm inspections

The Fair Work Ombudsman has continued to monitor workplace compliance in the agriculture sector with inspectors investigating more than 190 businesses in four states to ensure workers are getting the right pay.

Self-registration for exporting food to China

Manufacturers, processors and cold storage establishments of certain foods for export to China must self-register their business and products using the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system.

All Australian food manufacturers, processors and cold storage providers exporting food to China need to register their business and products in the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system.

CIFER is administered by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC).

Food exporters who do not manufacture, process, or store food items are not required to register in the CIFER system. However, they must source products from suppliers who are registered in CIFER.

Find out more here.

Opportunities

National skills standards for navigating australia’s water markets now published

Water catchment and system resources are vital, and need to be preserved and managed to support the interests of all Australians. For farmers and irrigators, skills to navigate water markets can help improve farm productivity, provide greater choice and flexibility in business decision-making, and help inform risk management.

National VET skills standards for water allocations and entitlements have now been developed, with three units and two skills sets created to capture the practical skills required to trade water and understand the intricacies of Australia’s complex trading market.

Take a look at the new units and skill sets on the national training register here.

WA WorkSafe agricultural industry Inquiry

Following the 12th fatality in 12 months in the Western Australian agricultural industry, WorkSafe Commissioner Darren Kavanagh has established an Inquiry and appointed an Independent Inquirer. The Inquiry will consider a range of issues and recommendations on matters that affect the safety performance of the agricultural industry and have influenced the increase in deaths.

Find out more and add your input here.

Events

2022 AOA National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition – home-ground opportunity for learning for Tassie growers!

Friday 14 - Sunday 16 October, Devonport, Tasmania

Tasmanian growers have the home-ground advantage for this year’s national olive industry conference, with the event returning to the Apple Isle (we think that should be Olive Isle!) and the lovely port city of Devonport. With no flights needed, you’re just a drive away from the mega-learning experience of the year – with a lot of fun and networking thrown in!

From zero waste to biennial bearing

This year’s content covers a diverse range of topics, including: zero waste, getting started in table olive production, Xylella fastidiosa, promotion and marketing, and business value-adding. Grove management highlights include insight and learnings from the Olives New Zealand Focus Grove Project (which has seen an increase in tree production from 5kg to 25kg+ in participating groves via a targeted practice program), mechanical harvesting of table olives, and biennial bearing.

The Trade Exhibition will feature a range of leading olive industry suppliers and service providers, providing a chance to review your business needs and learn about the latest product innovations from experts in the field. A list of conference exhibitors is available here and is updated regularly.

Program:

Friday 14 - Optional Field Day; p.m. - Australian International Olive Awards Presentation Dinner

Saturday 15 - Conference Day 1 + Trade Exhibition; p.m. - Conference Dinner

Sunday 16 - Conference Day 2 + Trade Exhibition

View the full program here and register here.

2022 AIOA Presentation Dinner – Don’t miss Celebrations!

It’s the olive industry’s ‘night of nights’ and we’re getting together in person for the first time in three years, so this year’s Australian International Olive Awards Presentation Dinner is sure to be a seriously fun celebration!

Highlights of the night include:

AIOA major awards announced
Great food, wine and conversation
Official AIOA winners’ photographs – your opportunity to have your AIOA win captured and promoted into the future!

Details:

2022 Australian International Olive Awards Presentation Dinner

Friday, 14 October from 6.30pm

Paranaple Centre, Devonport, Tasmania – in conjunction with the 2022 National Olive Conference & Exhibition.

Book your tickets here.

Major sponsors

International

Olive oil prices rising worldwide

From Greece to California, producers are raising prices as a result of inflation and expectations of a poor 2022/23 crop year.

Bulk exports from Greece help fuel the Italian olive oil industry

Exporters would earn more with branded products, however, entering the Italian market requires resources beyond the reach of many small Greek producers.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

We’re now well into 2022, 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!

Producers in South Africa expect to match results of last year's record harvest

While producers celebrate a third consecutive bountiful harvest, there is growing concern about rising costs and load shedding.

Rising olive oil exports fuel trade surplus in Andalusia

Producers and bottlers in Andalusia exported more than €1.3 billion of olive oil in the first five months of 2022, an increase of 22.7 percent compared with the same period in 2021, according to data from Extenda.

However …

‘Green gold’: Spanish farmers ditch olives for pistachios in bid to survive

‘Even with only 10 or 15 hectares of pistachios you can make a decent living’: pistachios ripening. Photo: jessicahyde/Getty

They’re calling it green gold, the cash crop that could rescue one of Spain’s poorest regions from decline and depopulation as farmers plough up wheatfields and vineyards and replant them with pistachios.

With farmers earning between 65 and 85 cents for each kilo of olives they produce, and around 65 cents for grapes, pistachios, which fetch €6-8 a kilo, are in a different league.

Rainfall will dictate the upcoming harvest in Croatia

The rain will decide what the olive growing season will be like in Croatia and whether olive oil prices will rise. Rain at least one month before the harvest will save the remaining fruits. However, it is already too late in some locations where olives have fallen from branches due to the long-term drought.