05 May 2023

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

Today's Top Story

'Payday super' changes tipped to add thousands to retirement incomes, catch more unpaid superannuation

Getting super fortnightly instead of quarterly could save you thousands (Nassim Khadem)

Millions of Australian workers are set to retire with thousands more in their superannuation accounts after changes from the federal government requiring all businesses to pay their employees' superannuation on payday.

Important information for anyone with employees.

Australia

Rural insurance premiums soar after climate disasters with contractors, farmers paying the price

The cost of rural insurance has risen significantly as the number of natural disasters has continued to climb. A combination of national and international natural disasters, and a fast-diminishing underwriter market plus the cost of goods, are hitting farmers and contractors hard.

Importers, exporters tipped to face price hikes to help fund biosecurity services

The extra money raised will go to biosecurity services such as sniffer dogs. (ABC Rural: Daniel Fitzgerald)

Importers and farmers are being warned to expect changes to the cost of importing and exporting from Australia, as the government seeks a new way to fund biosecurity services.

And in response …

Farmers say taxpayers, importers should pay for rising cost of keeping pests and disease out of Australia

A storm is brewing over who should pay to keep pests and diseases out of Australia. The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) says farmers already pay their "fair share" and it is importers of products like cars and whitegoods, as well as taxpayers, who should pick up any additional tab for Australia's biosecurity.

Flood preparation plans need to protect at-risk homes and businesses better, NSW regional communities say

The Hawkesbury Valley has been hit by six floods over the past three years. (ABC News: Harriet Tatham)

Building homes and roads on flood-prone land while weather events are increasing and intensifying is leading parts of New South Wales into unpredictable danger, a lobby group has warned.

Staff, students face uncertainty as Swinburne TAFE moves to close free horticulture course

Swinburne is moving to shut down a horticulture course that is available at no cost to students under Victoria's priority TAFE courses program. Swinburne TAFE has confirmed it is seeking to shut down its horticulture programs at the end of this year.

How does reducing training for “Australia's third-largest agricultural industry” make sense when we already have a skills shortage?

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.

Strategic water purchasing tender now open as part of Murray-Darling Basin Plan

Another step was taken recently to deliver the Australian Government’s commitment to completing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. A tender to strategically purchase permanent water entitlements in six catchments across New South Wales and southern Queensland to bridge the gap to the Basin Plan's Sustainable Diversion Limits opened on 23 March. The tender process closes at 5 pm (AEST) on 19 May.

The tender marks a significant step forward in continuing to return water to the environment and ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the Murray-Darling Basin. The process will be guided by the Strategic Water Purchasing Framework, released earlier this year.

Find out more here.

Opportunities

Celebrate Heart Week with OWI’s Heart Health e-book

This week is Heart Week in Australia, so it's a perfect time to brush up on all of the heart health benefits of olive products.

The Olive Wellness Institute’s Heart Health e-Book includes information on how extra virgin olive oil, olive leaf extract and the olive fruit itself impact cardiovascular disease, and provides tips on how to improve heart health through diet. It also includes a delicious roasted cauliflower with tahini dressing recipe by nutritionist Jess Cox.

Access the book on the OWI website here, and share the link with your networks to help spread the word.

Public consultation on draft ag levies legislation opens soon

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is working on streamlining and modernising the agricultural levies and charges legislation. Public consultation on the draft legislation opens soon.

The draft levies legislation proposes to simplify the administration of levies, reduce legislative complexity and inconsistency, and increase flexibility in compliance matters. Consultation will be divided into two phases - Phase 1 in early May 2023 and Phase 2 in late 2023/early 2024.

Subscribe here.

to be notified when consultation opens.

Events

National Renewables in Agriculture Conference, 21 June, Dubbo

The future of farming will be showcased at the 4th annual National Renewables in Agriculture Conference, being held 21 June in Dubbo NSW and featuring keynote speaker Ross Garnaut.

Attendees will hear directly from farmers using renewables on their properties, about the benefits and what they’ve learned. Sessions will also feature experts on:

future fuels and farm vehicles
bioenergy
energy storage
solar and wind and
the national energy transition.

The Expo provides an opportunity to speak to credible businesses about renewables in agriculture, while a farm tour to a solar grazing operation on the following day will demonstrate how agriculture can co-exist with energy generation.

Tickets include lunch and a light evening canape dinner to continue the networking. Find out more and register here.

Entry now open for Premier's Sustainability Awards 2023

Sustainability Victoria is once again delivering the Premier’s Sustainability Awards in 2023.

Celebrating its 21^st year, the prestigious awards program continues to adapt to reflect the depth and innovation of sustainability within industry, business and community across Victoria.

Entries for the 2023 Premier’s Sustainability Awards are now open, and close on Friday, 30 June at 5pm.

Find out more here, or register for the online information session on Thursday, 8 June at 11am here.

International

Olive oil mixed with sunflower is sold in Spain despite it being produced illegally

Olive oil, mixed with sunflower oil, is available for sale in various Spanish supermarkets, despite the fact that the law does not allow it to be produced and sold within our borders. Alarms have recently gone off in the olive sector, worrying over a practice that tries to reduce the production cost of this product.

The legalities discussed in this are interesting …

Researchers investigate the role of extra virgin olive oil in astronaut diets

Italian Space Agency (ASI).

Astronauts often lose weight while in space and complain about the food. Extra virgin olive oil can add flavor and health benefits during their journey.

What dream about olives means

Olives have been a part of human history for centuries. Its significance ranges from being a food source to being a symbol of peace. However, people have also associated it with various superstitions and beliefs. Among these beliefs is the interpretation of dreams about olives.

This week’s coffee break entertainment!

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

The new year is racing by and Friday Olive Extracts (FOE) continues 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!

EU warns US it maintains tariffs on Spanish black olives and does not rule out measures

The European Union (EU) warned this Friday that the US government continues to do so without respecting the elimination of duties on Spanish black olives thus skipping the ruling of the World Trade Organization (WTO), and did not rule out the adoption of further measures.

Study evaluates the effects of phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oil on skin health

A recent study published in the Nutrients Journal evaluated the effects of phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on the proliferation, cell cycle, migration, and antigenic profile of human fibroblasts.

A bit techy but really interesting …

How the El Niño will affect olive growers

El Niño years increase the likelihood of above-average precipitation in the Americas and below-average precipitation in Australia and South Africa.

People's mind's blown after learning real purpose of plastic pull tab on olive oil lids

Don't toss that ring pull from your olive oil bottle just yet. It turns out that this seemingly insignificant piece of plastic can actually help you pour the perfect amount of oil every time.

Imagine the reaction to their first experience of Cobram Estate’s built-in pop-up pourer!