19 May 2023

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

Today's Top Story

US climate agency declares chance of El Niño now above 90 per cent in 2023

The US federal department has increased the chance of El Niño to above 90 per cent later this year. (Source: NOAA)

Eastern Australia is facing the increased likelihood of a dry winter and spring with a United States federal agency declaring an El Niño pattern almost a foregone conclusion.

Australia

Lismore floods aftermath debate asks if land management could slow flow of water

Flooding at Lismore in February last year. (Supplied: Rotor Wing)

As the painstakingly slow recovery continues for flooded communities across parts of Australia, a land management group says it's possible to take more than 2 metres off the flood peak by slowing the flow of water across the landscape.

Community to come together for olive harvest

An innovative community group is making it possible for Greater Geelong residents to have olives from their backyard or nature strip trees processed into olive oil.

If you’re keen to get this great promotional activity happening in your area, don’t miss the step-by-step guide being shared by Apulia Grove Olives’ Ceilidh Meo in the June edition of Olivegrower & Processor. Not a subscriber? Sign up here so you don’t miss out.

Calls to revitalise agricultural education amid worker shortage and image problem

Kate Waugh says she wishes she learnt more about jobs in agriculture while at school. (Supplied: Kate Waugh)

Kate Waugh knew nothing about life on the land before she threw in her job as a project administrator in Melbourne and headed for a new life as a station hand, blissfully ignorant of what lay ahead at remote Gladys Downs in south-west Queensland.

Mass exodus of regional bank branches across Australia leaves residents seeking solutions

Janessa Bidgood runs an annual event in her rural town that makes over $500,000 and contributes hundreds of thousands of tourism dollars to the wider community … So when one of the only banks in town, Westpac, decided to close its branch, residents were astounded.

VicGrid says residents are 'confused' over transmission lines planned for the south-east

A map detailing Victoria's designated renewable energy zones. (Supplied: DEECA)

Coastal residents and farmers say they remain in the dark about plans for transmission lines and wind farms off Victoria's eastern coast. While some residents have been told their properties are in line to host major energy infrastructure, they say they have heard nothing from authorities to confirm reports that some plans are on hold.

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.

HelloFresh apologises to Bunbury Farmers Market for claiming to use their products

A national meal-kit delivery service has apologised to a prominent West Australian fresh food business for claiming to use its produce to drive sales. The Bunbury Farmers Market, in WA's South West, issued a warning this week after it were alerted to HelloFresh sales representatives doorknocking households claiming to use the market's fruit, vegetables and meat in their meal kits.

A reminder that it’s always good to keep an eye on what’s being put out there about your brand.

Mice baiting ramps up as farmers attempt to prevent plague numbers

For the first time since 2011 a farm in south-west New South Wales is baiting for mice and a plane has been called in to help get the job done.

Opportunities

Public consultation on draft ag levies legislation now open

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is working on streamlining and modernising the agricultural levies and charges legislation. Draft legislation is now available for consultation and feedback.

The draft levies legislation proposes to simplify the administration of levies, reduce legislative complexity and inconsistency, and increase flexibility in compliance matters.

Feedback will be collected through three surveys, each covering a different set of legislative instruments which have been grouped together according to their function. You can complete any or all of the three surveys relevant to you.

All three surveys close on 5 June 2023.

Find out more and provide your feedback here.

Events

2023 Soil Biology Masterclass and Certification Course

This year, in collaboration with Soil Science Australia, Western Sydney University is adding to the two-day Soil Biology Masterclass with a four-day Soil Science Soil Biology Certification Course. The Certification Course’s further two days will follow on from the Soil Biology Masterclass.

Details:

2023 Soil Biology Master Class - August 15-16 - Cost $495. Find out more and register here.

2023 Soil Science Soil Biology 4 Day Certification Course - August 15-18 - Cost $1995. Find out more and register here.

International

Global olive oil production predicted to rebound

According to preliminary estimates from the United States Department of Agriculture, global olive oil production is expected to rebound in the upcoming 2023/24 crop year.

We’re obsessed with this vintage cream cheese and olive sandwich that’s gone viral

Jason Wilson/TasteofHome.com.

So simple and delicious, this three-ingredient cream cheese and olive sandwich is the latest old-fashioned sandwich to get popular.

Not sure we need video instructions for a three-ingredient sandwich but it sounds delicious - and we’re all for another way to get people eating locally-produced table olives. One for Farmers Market tastings, perhaps?

Croatian farmers maintain groves for ailing peers

Croatian olive growers’ empathy was displayed at the recent Olive Days event in Zadar, Dalmatia, along with their high-quality extra virgin olive oils. Money raised from food and beverage sales at the event was donated to Zadar General Hospital’s cancer center to help fund the purchase of new equipment.

More proof of why we often refer to the ‘olive community’.

Friday Olive Extracts – send us YOUR news

The 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!

Study explores probiotic effects of table olive fermentations on gut microbiota

12-May-2023 By Michele Nickels

As consumer interest in plant-based probiotics continues to grow, a new study presents consumption of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus LPG1 as a promising strategy for modulating and enhancing the diversity of the human gut microbiome.

Let’s all agree that olive oil belongs in a squeeze bottle

We all know that the right packaging is sometimes what pushes us to purchase a given product, especially when we’re faced with an excess of options. And in the case of olive oil, it’s hard not to get somewhat paralyzed by all the available choices when you’re not exactly sure which one to get.

Or not. Your thoughts?

Food labeling debate reignites as Romania bans Nutri-Score

The debate surrounding the Nutri-Score front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) system has re-ignited after Romania banned the label effective May 1. The decision of the Romanian National Authority for Consumers Protection (ANPC) forbids the Nutri-Score logo from appearing on food packages sold to the public.

We just want them to create one which correctly rates EVOO …