Nominations are now open for the annual WAFarmers Awards, which will be announced at the 2018 WAFarmers Annual Conference. The award categories are: Life Membership | in recognition of outstanding service to WAFarmers in any capacity. Distinguished Service Award | in recognition of distinguished service to WAFarmers and for the advancement of agriculture. Industry Service Award | in recognition of exceptional service to the agricultural sector. AgConnectWA Award | in recognition of meritorious service to

After having been on the market for many months, Brownes Dairy has been bought from Archer Capital by a Chinese consortium led by dairy giant Shanghai Ground Food Tech. In a statement released earlier today, Brownes said the deal would create access to emerging overseas markets and increase potential for the development of new products and manufacturing capacities. WAFarmers Dairy Section President Michael Partridge said it was a significant move that would present greater opportunities

Australian lamb producers are being urged to have their say on whether the Australian definition of a lamb should be changed to that of New Zealand, with a national consultation period now open. At present, the Australian AusMeat definition of a lamb is ‘a female, castrated or entire male up to 12 months of age with no erupted permanent incisor teeth’, whereas the New Zealand’s definition is ‘sheep are classified as lamb where the two

With only 11 days to go until the AWI AGM, WAFarmers continues to strongly urge wool growers to familiarise themselves with the voting system and recognise the importance of making their vote count. WAFarmers Livestock Section Vice President Steve McGuire said the voting ballot could cause confusion for voters as it is not a simple for-or-against system, plus growers would be asked to vote on whether to change the number of Board directors. “You can

One of two Western Australian emergency helicopters faces the chop, with the State Government failing to commit funding beyond this financial year to support the Bunbury-based rescue chopper. Currently managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and funded by the State Government through Royalties for Regions, the Bunbury RAC Rescue Helicopter was launched in early 2016, and has had more than 140 missions since its inception. WAFarmers General Policy Executive Officer Grady Powell

In the lead-up to the Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) Annual General Meeting on Friday 17 November, WAFarmers implores wool growers to make their vote count towards the election of Board directors. Five candidates will contest three vacant positions on the Board, with three incumbent directors standing for re-election: Colette Garnsey, Paul Cocking and James Morgan. Don MacDonald and Will Wilson will also nominate for the positions. WAFarmers Livestock Section Vice President Steve McGuire said it

Today marks the start of National Asbestos Awareness Month, with Australians urged to be aware of asbestos-containing materials and where they might be lurking, and learn how to manage and dispose of it safely. Australia is among the largest consumers of asbestos-containing materials in the world with asbestos used in the manufacture of a broad range of building and decorator products that can still be found in brick, weatherboard, fibro or clad homes or farmhouses,

The stoush between Australia and our neighbours across the ditch has reignited recently, with both local and New Zealand honey producers being heavily involved in discussions regarding the trademarking of Manuka honey. Despite being produced by bees foraging on Leptospermum plants which are native to both countries, debate is raging between the two as to the naming rights. At the same time as the development of a new national honey body (the Australian Manuka Honey

In the wake of the ‘Citizenship Seven’ saga which saw Barnaby Joyce removed from his portfolio and his position as Deputy Prime Minister, along with four other Parliamentarians, WAFarmers wishes to reaffirm our intention to continue to work cooperatively with the Federal Government on issues important to our members. Having been brought up on a farm in New South Wales and worked within the industry before entering politics, Mr Joyce has been a staunch advocate