Following Western Australia’s decision to maintain state-wide regulations for Bovine Johne’s disease (BJD), WA cattle producers are encouraged to complete an industry-compliant biosecurity plan by 30 June 2017 and a herd Check Test by 1 July 2018, to ensure smooth movement of livestock in the future. WAFarmers Livestock Executive Officer Kim Haywood said the risk of cattle bringing BJD into the state had increased since the rest of the country chose to deregulate BJD management

Three south west dairy farmers whose previously extended contracts with Parmalat’s Harvey Fresh were due to expire at the end of June have had these extended by a further six months, until January 2018. The decision came off the back of an agreement by the three immediately affected suppliers who agreed to reduce their combined annual production over the winter-spring period. From January, they will be offered new contracts the same as existing suppliers whose

In an effort to improve competition and transparency, WAFarmers is pushing for equal access to grains stocks information that currently only grain traders receive from bulk handlers. WAFarmers believes that as traders already receive aggregated stocks information on a weekly basis during harvest, producers should also be entitled to the data. WAFarmers Grains Section President Duncan Young said giving growers access to the information would give them better insight ahead of selling their grain, and

As required under its Constitution (rules 25.2, 27.2 & 28.1), The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) hereby notifies all members, delegates, Dairy Section Council and Zones that the Dairy Sector Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 27 July 2017 at the Abbey Beach Resort, Busselton WA 6280. We hereby call for nominations and motions to be submitted by 5.00pm on Monday 26 June. Nominations are open for the following positions: President Senior Vice President

The 2017 Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) Competition is coming up next month, with WAFarmers once again supporting the contest through the sponsorship of the Murdoch University ICMJ team. Teammate Bridie Luers (21), who will complete her Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at the end of next year, said she had developed a particular passion for cattle production since beginning her studies. “Having grown up on a sheep and cropping farm east of Kellerberrin, I

Members are advised that the WAFarmers Beekeepers Section Executive Council has changed, following the section’s Annual General Meeting on Friday 12 May. Leilani Leyland will retain the position of President for a further term. The role of Senior Vice President will be filled by Michael Bellman, while Stephen Davies will step into the role of Vice President. Rupert Phillips, Mark Rhodes and David Leyland will be the council’s Executive Members. WAFarmers congratulates the Executive Council,

WAFarmers will once again support the Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) Competition for the 2017 contest through the sponsorship of the Murdoch University ICMJ team. The Murdoch team, comprising of 10 students, will travel to Wagga Wagga in early July to represent their university, and will gain practical experience in the evaluation of carcasses, primals and retail cuts. Team member Lauren Oakden (21) said her fascination with agriculture and livestock stemmed from family trips as they

By WAFarmers President, Tony York Following a recent situation in which I found myself in the middle of an internet scam which will likely cost me over $20,000, I urge members, the wider agricultural community and anyone who pays invoices to remain vigilant to this unscrupulous behaviour. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you my experience, in the hope that you can avoid similar situations. We regularly deal with suppliers via

WAFarmers will continue to support the Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) Competition in 2017 through sponsorship of the Murdoch University team, as part of a three-year partnership. Following the resounding success of the tertiary team at last year’s competition, during which Murdoch University placed third overall in addition to two other team awards plus individual accolades, 10 students will again compete on a national platform in Wagga Wagga in early July. Beneficial for the participating students,

WAFarmers has called on meat processors across the country to take up new objective carcase measurement technology that would increase productivity, efficiency and would hit market specifications. Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) has developed dual energy x-ray absorptionmetry (DEXA) technology which provides scientific measurements of meat yield, fat and bone and offered it to every abattoir in the country, however the majority of processors have resisted the free installation. WAFarmers Livestock Section President David Slade