August 2017

Farmers in Kalannie and surrounding areas came together on Monday to share their concerns about life on the farm and the current season, with special guest Fiona Simson (National Farmers’ Federation President) promising to take their feedback to the national body. Held at the property of WAFarmers Members Bob and Amanda Nixon, the 30-strong group voiced numerous issues of concern, with the following being highlighted by the group: Attraction and retention of young people in

A new era is on the horizon for the WAFarmers Corrigin/Lake Grace Zone, with Newdegate grain farmer and industry stalwart Bob Iffla set to hang up his hat from the Zone Presidency. Mr Iffla announced his retirement from the role earlier this week at a WAFarmers Zone Meeting which featured special guests National Farmers’ Federation President Fiona Simson, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister for Agriculture and Food Hon. Darren West MLC, and National Party of WA

Mouths are starting to water across the state as WAFarmers prepares for the fourth annual Heart of WA gala dinner on Friday 15 September at HBF Stadium. Now only four weeks away, the event has evolved significantly in 2017 in an effort to showcase even more outstanding Western Australian produce. “In WA, we are lucky to have some of the most exceptional produce in the world; from truffles in the southern forest region, to the

Following the release of details surrounding the death of thousands of live sheep on route to the Middle East in July 2016, WAFarmers reminds the public that animal welfare is the top priority for the agricultural industry. Up to 3,000 sheep died from heat related stress while on the live export ship run by Emanuel. The live exporter was provided with wildly incorrect information about weather conditions at the destination which resulted in the ventilation

WAFarmers welcomed last week’s announcement of the development of a $5 million world-class grains research hub, saying it will give WA a home-ground advantage for research outcomes. The project will be funded by a $3 million grant from the Grains Research and Development Corporation, $1.5 million from Murdoch University, $250,000 from Curtin University, and $250,000 from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Funds will go towards the construction of infrastructure at Curtin and

The Fair Work Commission is currently considering an ACTU claim to include new provisions in virtually all modern awards that would give some employees with parenting and/or caring responsibilities a right to determine their days of work and starting/finishing times. The National Farmers’ Federation has joined with other employer groups to conduct a survey of employers in order to understand the potential impact of the proposal. We are writing to request that you participate in this

WAFarmers Members and members of the general public are advised of the following discussions and developments during the most recent Grains Section Meeting, on Friday 21 July 2017. President and meeting Chair | Duncan YoungSenior Vice President | Michael FelsVice President | Mark Fowler Executive committee members in attendance: Duncan Young Michael Fels Mark Fowler Mark Adams Greg Richards Nathaniel O’Hare Kallum Blake Noel Bairstow Peter Cowan Malcolm Turnbull Jerome Critch Tom Powell Graeme Jones