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Movers and shakers CommentsPremiumDutton says Rinehart among those who planted pensioner seed

The Opposition Leader has confirmed WA’s richest person was among those who planted the seed about enticing pensioners to plug the holes in WA’s workforce.

Briana Fiore

BIOSECURITY ACT REVIEWSubmissions open into review of WA biosecurity laws

Farmers and pastoralists are being encouraged to provide input on a statutory review under way into the effectiveness of WA’s biosecurity legislation, with public submissions now open.

Adam Poulsen

Cattle salePremiumYoung cattle suit grazier demand in Muchea sell-off

Nutrien Livestock kicked off its winter cattle sale season at the Muchea Livestock Centre on June 24 selling 952 head of commercial steers, heifers and bulls for just over $1.39 million.

Bob Garnant

Cheers CommentsPremiumPub owner frontrunner for Nationals win in North West

A former international rower turned Carnarvon publican has nominated to be the Nationals WA candidate in the North West Central by-election sparked by the surprise retirement of Vince Catania.

Peter Law and Josh Zimmerman

Social Photographs PremiumValue Creators bring together women in STEM

Women with a passion for all facets of STEM gathered at the Royal Agricultural Society of WA’s councillor lounge on Friday, June 17, for a special sundowner to celebrate women in the male-dominated industry. 

Cally Dupe

sw wa drought hubPremiumWA farmers combat drought through soil amelioration

Soil amelioration techniques have delivered “make or break” results, enabling soils to store an extra 30mm of plant available moisture and upping yields by 400kg/ha.

Shannon Verhagen

Lentils instead of lupins?PremiumTrials to test lentils over lupins

Vast tracts of WA land could be opened up to “hardy, high-value” lentil crops over low-value lupins if a genetic acid tolerance study in the central Wheatbelt proves successful.

Shannon Verhagen

SAVE THE DATEPremiumWA Livestock Research Council sets date for annual forum

Livestock enthusiasts from across the State will come together in Fremantle in August for the return of the WA Livestock Research Council’s annual forum.

Staff reporter

FMD Threat PremiumFoot and mouth ‘more difficult’ to recognise in sheep

The inconspicuous symptoms of foot and mouth disease in sheep mean the disease could farm hop across WA before being detected, sparking calls for farmers to be vigilant as it runs rampant in Indonesia.

Cally Dupe

AWI recruitPremiumNew AWI recruit to represent WA woolgrowers

Tori Kirk hopes to be the bridge between woolgrowers and the nation’s biggest wool marketing and research body in her new role as Australian Wool Innovation’s WA-based industry relations officer. 

Bob Garnant

NEW BOSS SPEAKSPremiumMeat Muchea Livestock Centre’s new boss

Muchea Livestock Centre’s new boss Steve Wainewright is inviting WA producers to visit the state-of-the-art saleyard in a bid to “build transparency and trust” and ensure all vendors “have a good experience”.

Adam Poulsen

‘game changer’AWI invests $1.4 million into ‘biological defleecing’ study

The three-year study will investigate how zine protein, found in corn, could be given to sheep to weaken the staple of their wool so it can be harvested without the use of a mechanical handpiece.

Shannon Verhagen

LIVE EXPORTS DIVEPremiumLive cattle exports set to fall further, MLA report says

Live cattle exports are pegged to plummet to 500,000 head this year — nearly 272,000 fewer than in 2021.

Adam Poulsen

AGRIBUSINESS MERGERCraig Mostyn Group announces V&V Walsh merger

WA meat processing giant Craig Mostyn Group has bought out one of the State’s biggest lamb and beef exporters, announcing a full merger with V&V Walsh.

Adam Poulsen

Ministerial Visit PremiumFederal Ag Minister Murray Watt makes his first visit to WA

WA farm advocacy groups say they “have the ear” of Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt after the Labor MP’s first visit to the west and plan to spend the next three years showcasing the live sheep trade.

Cally Dupe

Grain on Rail PremiumEsperance farmers reap extra $25/t after grain train return

WAFarmers grains section’s outgoing president Mic Fels says CBH’s decision to run trains in the Esperance Port Zone for the first time in four years has reaped farmers an extra $25/t for their grain.  

Cally Dupe

STEEP RISEPremiumBeef consumption declines as prices soar

The price of beef has shot up steeper than any other protein in Australia over the past year, rising at more than triple the rate of chicken according to a new report.

Adam Poulsen

LIVE EXPORT PremiumLove takes aim at live export relocation probe

Shane Love has slammed the State Government’s $2 million probe into the possible relocation of Fremantle Port’s live export berth, saying the move won’t happen while the ALP remains divided.

Adam Poulsen

On the risePremiumDemand for WA wool ‘very, very good’

Demand for the luxury fibre has surged back to pre-pandemic levels as the world emerges from COVID-19 lockdowns ready to shop and China’s woolen mills fire back up.

Shannon Verhagen

Countryman NewsPort Phillip Bay nears baby snapper record

The near-record abundance of baby snapper in Victoria's Port Phillip Bay is expected to help strengthen fishing over the next decade.

Cassandra Morgan

Dodgy dealing accusationsPremiumCCC probe details ‘serious misconduct’ of livestock manager

Murdoch University’s prized farms have been labelled a “breeding ground for misconduct” and its well-known livestock manager accused of “deceiving” the institution for personal benefit in a damning report.

Adam Poulsen

‘BOLSTERING BIOSECURITY’PremiumNew livestock officers to ‘bolster biosecurity’ in WA

WA’s biosecurity frontline is being beefed up and laws governing the contentious topic are set for an overhaul as the “greatest threats to animal agriculture in decades” creep closer to Australian shores.

Adam Poulsen

farm dog fridayPremiumFarm Dog Friday: Our favourite photos from around WA

From kelpies running around the yards, heelers on the ute for a croppy, maremmas protecting their flocks, or what some may classify as ‘house dogs’, a farmer’s best mate comes in various shapes and sizes.

Shannon Verhagen

Beyond the SaleyardsProcessor prices and saleyard numbers improve

WA sheep processor prices are steady to higher this week and the number traded at the saleyards has largely increased this week.

Rob Kelly