27 January 2023

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

Today's Top Story

Wholesale power prices fall on renewable energy output to bring consumer relief

Revenues to grid-scale batteries are growing in line with their importance to the system. (Supplied: Victorian government)

Embattled consumers are set for some welcome relief after sky-high wholesale electricity prices more than halved in the final three months of 2022, an analysis of Australia's biggest power market shows.

We’re glad to start with some good news (for a change!).

Australia

Bee borders stay shut as NSW apiarists fail to report varroa test results, taking financial toll on pollinators

NSW beekeepers are required to conduct alcohol washes at least once every 16 weeks and report results to the DPI. (Supplied: NSW Department of Primary Industries)

The lockdown on the movement of bees in Australia is continuing because authorities say beekeepers have not been reporting the test results for the varroa destructor mite.

If you’ve got hives on your property, please make sure those who manage them are doing the right thing.

Banks tighten belts on agricultural investment loans as interest rates rise

Farmers wanting to expand and make their operations more sustainable are finding it increasingly difficult to borrow money due to a perfect storm of rising interest rates and higher input costs.

Truffles in South Australia on the rise

Anthea Harrison hopes her puppy Oden will be able to hunt down some truffles. (ABC South East: Elsie Adamo)

Anthea Harrison and her husband Damian had never tasted a truffle when they bought into a business growing the savoury, earthy delights. She and her Mr Harrison bought Echo Farm on the outskirts of Mount Gambier in South Australia at the end of last year to run as a hobby farm and tourist destination. It also came with a truffle orchard attached.

The industry reportedly has room to grow, so if you’ve got the right conditions and are looking for a sideline …

NSW set for a wild week of storms with risk of flash flooding

NSW is in the middle of a classic summer storm outbreak as a warm and humid air mass provides the right mix of ingredients for a daily dose of lightning and thunder. Severe thunderstorms are likely to continue across the state into at least the middle of next week, continuing a spell of dangerous storms that began on Monday.

The warning is also for hail and damaging winds, so be prepared and take care.

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.

Calls for action as inquiry finds supermarkets' cosmetic fruit and vegetable standards cause food waste

Wasteful supermarket standards in the spotlight.

A NSW parliamentary report has recommended restrictions be put on the major supermarkets to stop farm produce being sent to waste for minor visual defects or being slightly misshapen.

This will no doubt resonate with those of you who also grow other fruit/vegetable crops.

Blacksmith, tree worker, tour guide: The trades the government will pay you to study in 2023

Want to become a beauty therapist, picture framer, blacksmith or horse trainer? The federal government has updated its Australian Apprenticeships Priority List, adding an extra 39 occupations.

Occupations on the list are eligible for financial support from the government

Tree worker? Might be of help to our industry …

Opportunities

Industry field days and workshops: what information do YOU want?

The olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL18000) has been extended for the next five years, guaranteeing the continuation of learning opportunities including the national field day programs and the annual production workshops.

The AOA’s organising team is keen to know what topics growers and producers would like to have covered.

Field days: what would you like them to focus on? Where should they be held in your state?
Workshops: currently cover processing of EVOO and table olives. Are you interested in learning about producing flavoured olive oil?

Suggestions for webinar topics, fact sheets and other project outputs are also most welcome.

Please email your feedback to Liz at secretariat@australianolives.com.au.

Call for WA Olive Council Board nominations

The WA Olive Council will be holding their AGM at the end of March. A Notice of Meeting will be published in February.

The Council is inviting nominations for at least one new Board member, due to the retirement of long-standing Treasurer Ken Jeffrey. Expressions of interest are sought for industry members with skills in strategic development and marketing.

Request more information here admin@oliveswa.com.au.

Events

Reminder: Churchill Fellowship information sessions

The Churchill Fellowship application round for 2023 opens in March, offering Australians from all walks of life the opportunity of funded travel overseas to investigate a topic or issue of their choice. Churchill Fellowships open doors so recipients can meet with leaders in their field of endeavour, observe, learn and then bring their new-found knowledge home to share with their industries and communities.

Up to three Hort Innovation Churchill Fellowships are on offer this year, and two free online information sessions are being held in February to inspire and inform potential applicants:

· Agriculture and horticulture information session - Wednesday, 1 February at 5.15pm (AEST), hosted by former head of ABC Rural, Leigh Radford - register here;

· Food production information session on Monday, 13 February at 5.15 pm (AEST) hosted by chef, author and TV presenter Paul West - register here.

Access more information about Churchill Fellowships here.

WA: Workshop - Enhancing Land Stewardship of Small Properties

Presented by Perth NRM, this workshop will cover topics for improving management of small properties in Perth’s peri-urban areas. Topics will include:

improving soil health and water quality;
protecting and enhancing bushland native vegetation for biodiversity;
considering threats to your property and their management (e.g. control weeds, wildfire).

Details:

Saturday, 11 March 2023, 12.30 - 4.30pm

Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre, 48 Canning Rd, Kalamunda

Cost is $10pp - register here.

International

Väcka unveils market-first cheeses made from olive oil & fermented melon seed milk

Spanish Foodtech Väcka announces it has launched the only plant-based cheeses made with melon seeds and olive oil, through the application of a “disruptive world unique fermentation process” for which the brand has filed a patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

New law in Andalusia to promote organic food production

Many Andalusian olive oil producers are involved in what is described as a major push to expand organic farming in the region.

Rach explains the difference between yellow and green EVOO

Have you ever been overwhelmed walking down the grocery store aisle that houses all the oil options? There are just so many! Rach breaks down the difference between the yellow and green extra virgin olive oils - EVOO, as she calls it - and how to use each so you can be sure you're using the right one for what you’re cooking.

It seems we still have a long way to go in breaking the myths …

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!

Olives are delicious, but are they good for you? here’s what registered dietitians have to say

There are some produce staples, like cucumbers and kale, that you can eat to your heart’s content knowing that you’re filling up on lots of beneficial nutrients. But there are others, like potatoes and pickles, that many believe it’s best to minimize consumption of … Olives are another one of these foods -particularly green olives, which are saltier than black olives.

Olive oil aisles result in superior supermarket sales

Grouping all the olive oils in a single aisle and providing information about them resulted in an 18-percent increase in sales. Extra virgin olive oil sales rose 13 percent.

Olive oil tasting program coming to the library

The Paso Robles City Library invites the public to learn about all things olive on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 6-7 p.m. in the library conference room. Rudi Lasslett, from We Olive, will present an informative and delicious olive oil tasting. Learn the process involved in making a fine olive oil, the different types of olive oils and their attributes, and the many health benefits derived from olives.

This is really taking olive oil to the people!

Spanish producers encounter losses but look to next season

New data confirms that the current Spanish olive oil campaign is the worst of the century. Still, rainfall late in the season fuels hopes for the future.