Agriculture

Worker shortage‘Dismal failure’: West Aussies say no to fruit-picking

The number of West Australians who have signed up to the Federal Government’s farm relocation program can be counted on two hands.

Sarah Ison

Derby planOverseas firms back $4b Derby fertiliser plant

The Derby Fertilizers and Petrochemical Complex wants to be in production before Vikas Rambal’s proposed $4.5b plant in Karratha.

Sean Smith

AgricultureDry northern basin contrasting with south

There are contrasting fortunes across the Murray-Darling Basin with many communities in the north still grappling with drought despite southern rains.

Matt Coughlan

New marketsMexican wave for malt

WA malt barley could soon be used to make beer after CBH Group struck a deal to export 35,000 tonnes of the grain to Mexico.

Cally Dupe

Foreign labour$6000 farm work bonus a bust as just 350 sign up

Australia’s Agriculture Minister has all but given up on trying to convince young and unemployed people to move to the bush for farming jobs.

Daniel McCulloch

Sheep shockLive sheep exports dive in 2020

WA live sheep export volumes fell almost 40 per cent last year to their lowest levels in recent history, amid tougher regulatory export requirements and rising sheep prices.

Jenne Brammer

InnovationCarbon credit “game changer” for WA farmers

A new WA business is set to help broadacre farmers tap into the burgeoning global market for carbon offsets.

Jenne Brammer

Big spendersWA farm machinery sales jump

WA farmers are set to splash the cash on machinery this year amid soaring confidence and a suite of incentives.

Jenne Brammer

Jobs boostManjimup timber mill upgrade big boost for town

The upgraded mill will use shorter lengths that have typically been wasted, and value add for the domestic market

Jenne Brammer

Booze bustAussie luxury wine brand in $26m China scam

An Aussie wine company had its iconic, luxury brand counterfeited by Chinese fraudsters who put cheap wine in fancy-looking bottles.

Anton Nilsson

Water rowGrower protest on water licence curb

Farmers in one of WA’s premier food bowl regions are calling for new restrictions on their water licences to be overturned.

Jenne Brammer

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Major issues
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Inspection blitz reveals WA farms failing safety test

More than 100 safety notices have been dished out following an inspection blitz by WorkSafe of farms across the State, with foreign-owned regional properties found to be the worst offenders.

Phil Hickey

Industry hitFires sting WA honey industry

It could take up to a decade for WA’s $30 million commercial honey bee industry to fully recover from the impact of the recent bushfires near Gingin.

Jenne Brammer

Road rowState Govt backflips on Port Hedland roadworks

The State Government has backtracked on plans to build a road at Port Hedland which would have cut off access to a cattle exporting facility.

Jenne Brammer

Farm shuffleWongan farm and piggery sold

Third generation farmer Michael Brennan and wife Sue Middleton have privately sold their Wongan Hills farm and piggery business.

Jenne Brammer

CRUELTY CHARGESHallett animal cruelty charges adjourned to February

A legal showdown is looming between the State Government’s top lawyers and a high-profile farming advocate over animal cruelty charges levelled against former conservative politician Nigel Hallett.

Neale Prior

Cotton ginState allocates $4m to boost cotton gin power supply

WA cotton farmers are in a race against the clock to build the first cotton gin west of Queensland as their Northern Territory counterparts also inch closer to the goal.

Cally Dupe

Crayzy pricesCrayfishers want to keep local market happy

WA crays are about to become a popular part of summer dining, after the industry revealed it was working on a plan to keep an affordable domestic supply flowing.

Jenne Brammer

Farm-to-forkEight WA paddock-to-plate businesses set to take off

A number of WA farmers are embarking on paddock-to-plate ventures, while the provenance of food is becoming stronger in the eyes of consumers.

Jenne Brammer

Local supplyWA dairy industry sour over imported milk

WA dairy farmers are outraged that Coles imported milk from South Australia during December because it could not source enough locally for its own brand product.

Jenne Brammer

AgricultureLogging reprieve for rare Tasmanian parrot

Tasmania's state-owned forestry company has agreed to put a hold on logging in the habitat of the critically endangered swift parrot pending a court outcome.

Ethan James

Festive boostSeafood salvation as Aussies answer call

Australia’s peak seafood body says cheap rock lobsters and a plea to support local producers have helped fuel bumper Christmas sales.

Gerard Cockburn

Trade truceChina increases Aussie wool quota

China has reportedly increased its import quota for Australian wool this year, despite the ongoing trade war between the two countries leading to sanctions on a suite of local products.

Jenne Brammer