March 2015

The CBH Group is calling on Western Australian grain growers to consider a position on the Growers Advisory Council (GAC). The GAC has five positions open to growers who have a genuine desire and commitment to see the co-operative continue to grow and develop. Nominations are now open to join CBH Group’s Growers Advisory Council (GAC), closing 12 noon, 31 March, 2015. Council positions for 3 year terms are currently available and all grower members

The Sheep’s Back are holding Autumn sheep optimiser workshops during March. The topics covered by the workshops range from winter pasture manipulation to pasture optimisation to NLIS mob-based movement recording. The locations and times are listed below. To RSVP, email Icon Agriculture at [email protected], phone 9736 1055, text 0428 299 007 or respond via the Facebook page leaving your name and location. 12 March:Merredin, Rec Centre, 1pm – 4:30pm 17 March:Brookton, Eva Pavilion, 1pm –

Muresk Institute has released a calendar of its short courses available during the first half of 2015. There is an emphasis on agriculture and supporting interests.  To view the calendar and more detailed information click here.

The Federal and State Government, in conjunction with Main Roads WA, have funded upgrades for the Great Northern Highway. Main Roads WA is now undertaking a review of the concept designs they have produced for various sections of the highway. These designs will be presented for review and feedback in March and April. Interested members of the community are invited to attend an information session, listed below, to review and discuss these options with the

The University of Technology Sydney is leading a research project testing sources of medicinal Australian Leptospermum honey (also known as jelly bush or Australian manuka) for antimicrobial activity. Researchers will investigate the relationship between the activity and the plant source. The project is asking beekeepers with access to Leptospermum honey to provide samples to be included in the research. The project will run over the next three years, allowing for the collection and testing of

Farm businesses throughout the State are encouraged to register now for free planning workshops provided by the Department of Agriculture and Food. Department project manager Jason Moynihan said the training and support, which was part of the Farm Planning Workshop series, was being offered to assist rural businesses to build their resilience and capacity to grow. “The workshops are expected to provide participants with the skills and confidence to improve their long-term financial viability and

The Agrifood Labour Initiative and Sheep Industry Leadership Council plan to develop and implement a Certificate III traineeship specifically for the WA Sheep industry; and are looking to recruit school leavers to enter the industry. CCIWA is seeking Expressions of Interest from farm businesses who would like to be involved. They plan to partner with high schools offering agriculture courses and want to recruit applicants to the program from Year 11 & 12 students already

WAFarmers has completed several submissions recently and is continuing to work on a number of others. WAFarmers recently made a submission registering the organisations support for the Criminal Code Amendment (Animal Protection) Bill 2015, referred by the Senate to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee for inquiry. WAFarmers endorses the proposed Bill, believing that everyone has a moral obligation to treat all animals humanely. Western Australian livestock producers take their responsibilities for