DigitalFarmTV has published a short video with Livestock Biosecurity Network (LBN) CEO Warren Clark, who explains the history and purpose behind LBN, what LBN does, priority areas and industry partnerships. The video can be seen online here.
Western Australian cattle exports and beef production increased in 2013/14 according to the latest WA Beef Commentary from the Department of Agriculture and Food. Live cattle exports from Western Australia rose by 56 per cent to 305,000 head, driven by increased exports to Indonesia, Israel and Vietnam. Department research officer Kimbal Curtis said the total value of cattle exported from WA to all markets increased sharply to $236 million. Approximately 411,000 cattle were processed in
As a result of meetings this week between WAFarmers President Dale Park, Chief Executive Officer Stephen Brown and the Department of Environment Regulation (DER), we are able to advise members that pro-active discussions were held in relation to two subjects: – The Kojonup Saleyards – Land clearing Whilst no immediate answers were received, DER staff have agreed to look in to both issues as raised by Dale and further feedback to members will follow. If
The Department of Agriculture and Food has published a summary of canola varieties to assist growers to select the most appropriate variety for their 2015 grains program. Department development officer Jackie Bucat said the guide included both agronomic and commercial information. “The Canola Variety Guide 2015 can help growers pinpoint the best new varieties for their regions and the performance of reliable current varieties like Crusher TT and Hyola 404RR,” Ms Bucat said. Production of
WA livestock producers are urged to carefully manage stock for potential chemical residues and help safeguard the State’s reputation as a producer of high-quality animal products exported around the world. DAFWA veterinary officer Jenny Cotter said producers had a critical role to ensure their animals sent for slaughter did not contain unacceptable residues that could impact on market access. “The community, along with our international trading partners expect that our meat, milk, eggs and fibre
Grain growers considering treating crops for native budworm have been reminded to be aware of chemical withholding periods and to weigh up whether it is worth the cost. Native budworms are still being found in pulse and canola crops, with recent surveys detecting the pest from Boyanup to Kojonup and Esperance. Department of Agriculture and Food entomologist Svetlana Micic said with harvest imminent it was important to ensure there was no risk of chemical residues
Western Australian grain growers have access to a new reference guide to assist in decision making about which barley variety they should grow to deliver the best economic return. The Department of Agriculture and Food’s Barley Variety Sowing Guide for WA 2015 has been delivered in hard copy to about 7000 growers and industry members, and is also available on the department’s website. Barley is an important crop in WA, with an industry is worth
Below is a reminder from Rob Sands, Chairman of the Rural Business Development Corporation about the Drought Concessional Loans Scheme for Western Australia. “Obtaining a valid ‘BoM Rainfall Deficiency Report’ is the first step before completing an Application form. Data on the Bureau of Meteorology weblink is updated each 22nd or 23rd of each month. This means that the area that is defined as having been impacted by a 1 in 20 or a 1
Western Australia’s leading agricultural advocacy group welcomes yesterday’s announcement that mandatory electronic tagging of sheep and goats will not be adopted. WAFarmers’ Livestock Section made a submission to the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement for the implementation of improvements to the National Livestock Identification System late last year in which it opposed the adoption of mandatory electronic identification. “The existing system of identification and traceability is well accepted and the introduction of mandatory electronic identification is
Members are encouraged to complete the 2014 Regional Wellbeing Survey, which is now live and will close at midnight on November 30. The survey is an important piece of social research that NFF and others draw on to understand people’s views on and the social impacts of a range of issues. This year’s survey covers issues such as drought, water reform, green tape, CSG and mining, sustainable farming practices, markets, farm finance, and innovation. The
