April 2013

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) has welcomed the Federal Governments’ Farm Finance Package announced over the weekend.  The Farm Finance Package addresses the four key measures listed below, which are in alignment with WAFarmers’Seasonal Finance Assistance Scheme proposed to the State Government; Access to concessional loans Extra rural financial counsellors Introduction of a national approach to debt mediation Enhancing the Farm Management Deposits Scheme  WAFarmers Director of Policy, Trevor Lovelle, said we were

Delegates at the Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) Wool Section Conference last week urged Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) to provide material funding for the five-year extension of the current Sheep CRC. A motion from the Wool Section Conference was passed unanimously: “Based upon the productivity record for the Wool and Sheep industry of the past program of the Sheep CRC, WAFarmers urges AWI to provide material funding for the five year extension of the current

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) believes an assistance package announced by the State Government to help struggling farmers misses the mark. The package is in three parts: $5 million to provide financial support of up to $25,000 to enable eligible farm businesses to operate this season; $1.8 million towards additional social support and rural counselling services in the Wheatbelt and; Exit grants of up to $20,000 towards living and transitional expenses for farmers who

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) says floating the CBH Group (CBH) as a public company will not assist Western Australian growers, both in the short and long term. WAFarmers Grain Section President, Kim Simpson, said selling off CBH would be the worst kind of reaction to the current hardships we are facing. “CBH is an organisation which is actually working to provide us with the best service possible at the least cost to

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) encourages growers to take part in a survey which examines their financial health status. The Department of Agriculture and Food has engaged an independent research company to conduct an online survey of approximately 5000 broadcare farm businesses from Northampton to Esperance. WAFarmers Farm Business Spokesman, Tony York, said it was important growers took part in the online survey to ensure the agricultural industry had an accurate picture of

AgConnectWA is the new name for the Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) Young Farmers Section after the Committee elected to change the name to recognise that in addition to young farmers, there is a range of young people in rural, regional and metropolitan areas with a passion for agriculture and progressing rural communities. AgConnectWA President, Andrew Whitelaw, said it was a tremendous honour to be the new President of AgConnectWA and he hoped the change

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) AgConnectWA Section today elected a new Committee for 2013 at the Ocean Beach Hotel in Cottesloe during its Annual Conference, ‘Agriculture – The Green Collar Industry’, sponsored by Westpac Banking Corporation and the Future Farmers Network. The Conference officially ratified Andrew Whitelaw as the new AgConnectWA President, with Rebecca Jenkinson elected Senior Vice President. AgConnectWA President, Andrew Whitelaw, said the new Committee was eager to get started and provide

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) calls on the State Government to invest in the Rural Business Development Corporation (RBDC) to assist struggling farmers in Western Australia. Many farmer meetings in the Wheatbelt have been calling for the State Government to put in place financial mechanisms that provide assistance to the rural sector, along the lines of the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority (QRAA). The QRAA administers assistance programs including subsidies, rebates, grants and loans

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) AgConnect will be holding the 2013 Conference on Friday 12 April at the Ocean Beach Hotel in Cottesloe from 9am. The ‘Agriculture – The Green Collar Industry’ Conference is being hosted by the WAFarmers AgConnect Committee (formerly Young Farmers), who recognise that in addition to young farmers, there is a myriad of young people in rural, regional and metropolitan areas with a passion for agriculture and progressing rural communities.