March 2014

Badgingarra cattle and sheep farmer Dale Park has been re-elected unopposed as WAFarmers President for a second and final two-year term at the 2014 WAFarmers Annual General Meeting. While Senior Vice President Tony York was also re-elected unopposed, Esperance farmer Marg Agnew was elected to the position of Vice President, replacing Max Watts. “I am grateful for the confidence bestowed upon me by WAFarmers members during my first term and look forward to continuing to

The State’s largest agricultural lobby group will tomorrow commence its 102nd Annual Conference at the Vines Country Club and Resort, sponsored by Coles. The 2014 WAFarmers Annual Conference, A Farming Prospectus, will feature a range of industry experts speaking on various topics relevant to the agricultural industry. The two-day event will also include the WAFarmers Annual General Meeting and Meat, Wool and Grains Section conferences. WAFarmers President Dale Park said the conference was an opportunity

WAFarmers is currently reviewing its policy on foreign investment and ownership. WAFarmers supports foreign investment in Australian agriculture as a means of delivering necessary capital into all sectors of the agricultural supply chain providing it is in the best interests of the industry. As reported in recent months, Australia’s estimated gross farm debt of $60bn is unsustainable against current farm production levels, and requires innovative frameworks to help facilitate investment in R&D, business succession and

The WAFarmers Grains Council and the Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (ABCA) hosted a farmer information briefing on technological developments in farming at Merredin on Friday 14 March.  The morning session, ‘Farming into the Future: Biotechnology and Your Farm’ featured a range of industry speakers discussing issues relating to biotechnology and cropping, including internationally-recognised agricultural biotechnology expert Professor Mike Jones from Murdoch University and genetics and breeding expert Professor Ian Edwards from Edstar Genetics.  The

WAFarmers is calling on feedback from members on the Agricultural Competitiveness Issues Paper.  The issues paper identifies the key issues the government would like primary producers’ input on and will guide the development of the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper.  The issues paper raises questions on matters that influence the competitiveness of Australian agriculture such as: food security; improving farm gate returns, including drought management; access to finance; competitiveness through the value chain; regional communities; inputs

WAFarmers has welcomed the advice by the Economics and Industry Standing Committee that they have resolved to inquire into and report on whether the current lease arrangements and management of the Western Australian freight rail network comprising Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 lines facilitate or hamper state development.  In particular, the Committee will investigate:  the recent strategic directions and policy decisions relating to the current network lease, particularly in relation to the low-traffic

AgConnectWA will hold its second annual conference on April 5 at the Ocean Beach Hotel, Cottesloe. This year we will hear from Michelle Cowan, the first female AFL coach, in the morning before hearing from some exceptional people within the agricultural industry who will inspire you and have you buzzing with ideas for your own career. The afternoon will consist of a marketing workshop, led by Meg Coffey from Coffey & Tea. We will then

WAFarmers has this week made a submission to Australian Wool Innovation who have called for submissions on their paper entitled “Genetic Benchmarking: Potential for Further Commercialisation of Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Funded or Part Funded Projects post June 2015.” The full submission can be found here,

It was great to see that members took up the opportunity to come and speak to staff, including Wool Executive Officer Lucy Radzikowska and General President Dale Park at the Wagin Woolorama. The two days provided producers and WAFarmers to discuss matters that are affecting the wool industry in the state.  The hot Friday did not deter eager producers coming to the show and sharing their opinion on matters relating to live export, research and