January 2017

The Western Australian wool industry is experiencing some exciting and interesting times ahead of the upcoming season. WAFarmers Livestock Council Junior Vice President Steve McGuire said there was much currently happening within the industry, but that the general state of play was mixed. “There are positive prices across the board for WA wool, and it has recently reached the height of the market experienced in 2011,” he said. “Most of the recent increases have been

Australia’s apiary industry has welcomed the slashing of tariffs under the China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) for Australian honey exports, with the national peak industry body stating it would create the potential for exports to become a lucrative trade. Tariffs on a range of Australian food and agricultural products decreased from 15 per cent to nine per cent on 19 December, and that number dropped down further to six per cent on 1 January.

Six months after the introduction of new motor injury insurance premiums, WAFarmers encourages the State Government to reconsider premiums applicable to agricultural vehicles. As of 1 July 2016, the increased additional cost for most tractors was $25 per vehicle, while the premium increase for small motorcycles was $30 per vehicle and medium to large motorcycles would be $99 per vehicle. The changes to all vehicle premiums were in response to expanded cover for motorists that

Following a record harvest in WA which has seen increased road usage in regional areas, motorists are reminded to continue to employ safe driving practices and be alert at all times. WAFarmers Chief Executive Officer Stephen Brown said there would continue to be high road usage in the coming months as farmers gear up for the new season and grain handlers move the record crop to port. “The record harvest delivered by WA growers this

The efforts of WAFarmers and other industry groups to have all types of captive bolts and their ammunitions exempted from the Firearms Act 1973 (WA) have been applauded by industry. In the final report of the Review of the Firearms Act 1973 (WA), released recently by the Law Reform Commission of Western Australia, the Commission noted that as captive bolts were excluded from the definition of firearm in the majority of other Australian states and

Young agricultural advocates only have until next Friday to nominate for the WAFarmers and Rural Bank Agriculture Award as part of the 2016/2017 Western Australian Young Achiever Awards. An Agriculture Award was established following the inaugural awards last year as a way to fully represent the achievements of young Western Australians, and highlight those who play a part in shaping the future of WA’s agricultural community. WAFarmers Chief Executive Officer Stephen Brown said all young