24 March 2023

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

Today's Top Story

Federal department stopped training sniffer dogs to detect bees, missing chance to prevent varroa mite's arrival

Sniffer dogs weren't trained to detect bees for seven years, including when the Varroa mite arrived to Australia. (Supplied: Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment)

Australia's sniffer dogs haven't been sniffing for queen bees and were not on the beat when the deadly varroa mite arrived last year. That's despite the threat of the bee parasite devastating honey bee populations and causing tens of millions of dollars of disruption to food crops across Australia.

Let’s hope they get back on track - and include Xylella vectors in the target pest group.

Australia

Plan to reduce emissions will have unintended consequences on agriculture, farmers say

A debate is raging over what role carbon offsets and agriculture will play as Australia deals with the complicated task of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers are concerned the federal government's plan to reduce the emissions of big polluters would rely too heavily on carbon credits from measures such as tree planting.

Information available on management of flooded groves

The AOA and Olives SA have heard from olive growers in regions along the River Murray who are concerned about the future of their flooded groves. With water receding, they’re also keen to know how to manage the groves for the best possible outcome.

While it’s a largely unresearched topic, and outcomes are dependent upon the conditions on each grove, the AOA asked industry experts what they know about the effects of flooding, and for any advice they may have for growers whose properties are, or have been, under water.

The information was published in the December 2022 edition of Olivegrower & Processor industry journal and is now also available on the AOA’s OliveBiz website here.

Farmers are frustrated over years of delays for the Wyangala Dam wall raising project

As voters head to the polls in New South Wales, irrigators in the central west are frustrated over a lack of progress on a promised dam upgrade. In 2019, the NSW government committed to raising the Wyangala Dam wall near Cowra by 10 metres, which would increase its storage capacity by more than 50 per cent.

Rural patients deserve better health care. We just need to be brave and implement change

There are opportunities to invest in more nurse practitioners to have a big impact on rural health problems. (Reuters: Fabrizio Bensch)

If you live in rural and remote Australia, your access to health care remains well below the standard that citizens of one of the richest nations on Earth should expect. Rural and remote areas experience serious health workforce shortages, despite having a greater need for medical services.

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.

North-east farmers excited by potential soil health impacts for region with biochar development

Biochar comes out of a pyrolysis plant. (ABC Landline: Kerry Staight)

Too wet, too dry - it's the battle of farming communities across the country, as they try and maintain healthy soil for improved productivity. In that quest for greater soil health, farmers across north-east Victoria have been paying close attention to a carbon-rich form of charcoal called biochar.

Delegates who attended last year’s AOA National Olive Industry Conference Field Day had a first-hand introduction to the benefits and opportunities presented by biochar (see page 33 of the December Olivegrower & Processor for more information).

Australian Organic Industry says labelling rules need tightening so consumers are not misled

Business owners say consumers paying premiums for organic products are being ripped off because of a lack of national standards. Australian Organic Limited chief executive Niki Ford said Australia was the only developed country in the world not to have consistent domestic regulation for organic products.

Farmers call for better road drainage to reduce flood damage after crops lost

Neil Fisher has been calling for better management of the culverts for several years. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Mikaela Ortolan)

Victorian farmers are calling for better management of culverts to minimise the impact of future flooding events.

Opportunities

Export Market Development Grants

This grant from the Australian Trade and Investment Commission helps Australian businesses market and promote their goods and services in global markets. Funds can be used for marketing activities or training. Round 3 closes April 14.

Find out more and apply here.

Australian Government Energy Efficiency Grants

Grants of up to $25k are available to upgrade equipment in your small to medium business, to improve efficiency, manage energy costs and reduce greenhouse emissions. Applications close April 19.

Find out more and apply here.

Events

Online session: Future-Proofed Food Products For Health-Forward Consumers

The last three years have seen seismic shifts create ripples across many aspects of human life, and impact consumer needs. This 45-minute LinkedIn Live session dives into two of the key trends that have emerged from this period: the need for future-proofed food and the rise of multi-dimensional health.

Hosted by Australian Macadamias Marketing Manager Jacqui Price, with guest panellists Alice Zaslavsky and Pam Brook, this live and interactive virtual event will explore:

Why ‘adaptive ingredients’ are more important than ever.
Why consumers are more engaged with how their food is produced.
How the meaning of ‘health’ is evolving across different markets.
The shift away from restriction towards a holistic approach to healthy eating.
The growing consumer interest in the specific functional benefits of food.

Details:

Wednesday, 5 April at 11am (AEST)

Online, free

More information and register here.

Webinar: Demystifying Skilled Migration For Employers

Join the Skilled & Business Migration team within the SA Government Department for Industry, Innovation and Science as they present an online information session for employers about how skilled migration works, and how it can help meet workforce shortages in your business.

Please email sean.malone@sa.gov.au with any enquiries.

Details:

Monday, 27 March 2-3:30pm - Free. Register here.

2023 Olive Oil Processing Workshop

The course covers every aspect of processing quality olive oil, from grove management for optimal fruit quality to best-practice processing and storage. Along the way you’ll learn a lot about olive oil chemistry, and the practical aspects of oil extraction.

You’ll also get to meet the experts and learn industry secrets from:

International Olive Oil Consultant Pablo Canamasas - Quality, Chemistry, Processing.
Rio Vista Olives Master Miller Jared Bettio - Processing.
Rio Vista Olives Marketing Manager Sarah Ascuitto - EVOO Tasting/Identifying Defects.

Details:

Thursday 13 - Friday 14 April 2023

Rio Vista Olives, Mypolonga, SA

Members/levy payers - $275 inc GST; Others - $375 inc GST. Cost includes all meals.

Contact for more details: Liz Bouzoudis: secretariat@australianolives.com.au or 0478 606 145.

Numbers are limited and registrations close 4 April - register here NOW!

This event is part of the Olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL22000), 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.

International

Portuguese crackdowns target meat, supplements, and olive oil

Authorities in Portugal have seized a number of food products in recent months including meat, fish, food supplements, and olive oil.

73,000 liters of counterfeit olive oil … hmmm.

Italian farmers take stock of current harvest, look ahead to challenges

As the vegetative restart approaches, olive farmers and producers in Italy are preparing for the challenges of unpredictable climate extremes.

Farmers in Croatia see promising use of drones

A young Croatian agronomist studies the use of drones to pollinate the Lunje olive groves and protect them from pests.

Despite drought, anticipation of a promising olive harvest in Chile

Producers expect a better olive harvest than last year but worry about inflation and the impact of rising prices on demand.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

A new year has started and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) will continue 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!

Spain police arrest 16 in olive heist

Thieves operating in Las Vegas, a rural area near Spain's capital Madrid, managed to steal 17.5 tonnes of olives from local farms before being busted, police said Friday as they confirmed 16 arrests.

Lab test would define the sensory profile of olive oil by analyzing its molecules

The goal is to add a laboratory analysis to the routine tests done by extra virgin olive oil tasting panels to confirm quality and determine organoleptic characteristics.