February 2014

The governance review steering committee for the Grains Research and Development Committee (GRDC) has announced that independent consultant Marsden Jacobs have been appointed to undertake a governance review.  The review steering committee, comprising of representatives of key industry organisations including WAFarmers, is chaired by Grain Producers Australia (GPA) Director Mr Terry Enright and will oversee the review of GRDC’s governance structure which has remained unchanged for 20 years. This industry led review seeks to ensure

The WAFarmers Grains Council has made a submission to the Wheat Industry Advisory Taskforce (WIAT) regarding their discussion paper ‘A Preliminary Assessment of Wheat Export Quality Management Practices’.  Comments to the WIAT include:  It is important that Australia has an internationally-recognised classification system with common standards and Wheat Quality Australia (WQA) is providing this function well; WQA’s charter should be to focus solely on variety classification; The long term funding of WQA needs to be

WAFarmers has made a submission to the Economic Regulation Authority (ERA) regarding Brookfield Rail Pty Ltd’s (BR) floor and ceiling cost determination.  Given the lack of specific information made available by BR it was argued that the current WA Rail Access Regime is failing the users of the system, including the CBH Group, and ultimately grain producers of WA by not providing effective fair and transparent competition.  It also argued that the current regime does

A barber’s pole worm vaccine has been in trials on lambs and hoggets to test its effectiveness. The data will be added to information currently under review by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.  It is anticipated that the vaccine will be approved and become commercially available. A decision on the approval is expected after August 2014.  A summary of the trial can be found here, with a link to the full report at

Members may be aware that just before Christmas 2013 the Standing Council on Primary Industries, which brought together the state, territory and federal agriculture ministers for regular meetings, appears to have been scrapped by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). Since the announcement, there has been no information forthcoming to industry as to what mode of communication will be used for the purpose of cross jurisdiction agreements that need to be made within the agricultural

WAFarmers staff and elected representatives will be present at the Wagin Woolorama again this year to offer members of the area the opportunity to discuss agricultural issues of importance with us face-to-face. Members and non-members are invited to provide feedback on any matters currently dealt with by the organisation and ask questions on any burning topic of the day.  Our wool section Executive Officer Lucy Radzikowska will be in attendance and members are welcome to

WAFarmers Wool Section continues to have a good strong relationship with the training institutions of the State to ensure that training in the area of shearing, woolclassing and wool handling continues.  The Great Southern Institute of Technology has indicated that they will run an owner classer course if there is enough demand in the East of Albany area.  Members interested in receiving some training are urged to contact Wool Harvesting Coordinator Peter Young directly on

Registrations are now open for the WAFarmers 2014 Annual Conference, A Farming Prospectus. The Conference will feature expert and informative panellists, including Meat and Livestock Australia’s Tim McRae, Australian Live Exporters’ Council CEO Alison Penfold, succession planning expert Maree Gooch and environmental scientist Peter Newman. We will also be joined throughout the event by WA’s Minister for Agriculture and Food Ken Baston, Coles General Manager Corporate Affairs Robert Hadler, international research scientist Professor David Lindsay,

Farm businesses are reminded that the Farm Finance Concessional Loans Scheme in Western Australia is now open and businesses can apply for loans. Farm Finance is an Australian Government initiative that aims to build the ongoing financial resilience of farm businesses. In Western Australia, the scheme will assist farm businesses by providing loans to undertake productivity enhancement activities. These loans are not for restructuring existing debts or for carry-on finance. The scheme, totalling $50 million,

WAFarmers made a submission in late 2013 on the public call for submissions on “The Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Businesses” in Victoria.  The Code will come into effect on 11 April, 2014. WAFarmers will be keeping a watchful eye over any similar developments for WA and keep members updated.  Members who breed dogs may wish to have a look at the Victorian Code. “The mandatory code delivers substantial improvements