WAFarmers congratulates Harvey local Jessica Andony who was announced as the winner of the inaugural Agriculture Award at the 2017 WA Young Achiever Awards earlier this evening. Jessica (24), who could not attend the ceremony due to prior commitments, was represented on the night by her mother who accepted the award on her behalf, with a pre-recorded video of Jessica aired after the announcement. Since graduating with honours from Murdoch University in 2014, Jessica has

Australia’s agricultural industry was once again delivered a modest and mostly positive Federal Budget, though bigger rewards could have been delivered for Western Australian agriculture, according to WAFarmers President Tony York. Key agricultural highlights included the establishment of a $4 billion Regional Investment Corporation; $1.1 billion over seven years for the National Landcare Program; $8.3 million over four years to support the implementation of the Livestock Global Assurance Program; and the retention of $20,000 immediate

On behalf of members and the wider agricultural industry, WAFarmers has been asked to consult with the Department of Agriculture and Food WA regarding the state’s Restricted Chemical Permit process. WAFarmers Livestock Council member Scott Pickering, who is also the WAFarmers Wild Dog Representative on the National Wild Dog Action Plan Consultative Committee, said a number of issues had been raised with the Council about the process. “In addition to the application process being often

Consultations between the dairy industry and the Minister for Agriculture have taken place, following the rejection of a proposal by Harvey Fresh suppliers which would keep three producers in contract. WAFarmers Dairy Section President Michael Partridge, who met with Minister Alannah MacTiernan yesterday as part of her series of meetings, said the problem was simple, but the solution was not. “We, as well as the Minister, understand there is a need to balance supply and

WAFarmers has welcomed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) draft decision proposing not to declare a wholesale domestic roaming service, stating that such a service could inhibit much-needed regional telecommunications investment. Handed down this morning, the draft decision stated that the national retail mobile services market currently exhibits signs of reasonably effective competition, but that the ACCC acknowledged there was often little choice of network for consumers who value geographic coverage. WAFarmers Executive Officer

The State Government today announced massive public sector reform, with 40 per cent of existing government departments to be amalgamated. Under the reform, the new Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will incorporate the Departments of Agriculture and Food WA, Regional Development and Fisheries, and Regional Development Commissions. WAFarmers President Tony York said the reform was a more streamlined approach, despite the seemingly increased size and responsibility of departments. “During their election campaign, WA

Today is World Day for Safety and Health at Work, so we wanted to share a few workplace fatality statistics with you: 195 workers died in 2015 187 (96 per cent) of fatalities were men One quarter of fatalities were from a vehicle collision in 2015 Agriculture, forestry and fishing have the highest fatality rate – 16.7 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2015 Almost 50 per cent of fatalities were in two industries: transport, postal

Despite starting out in life on a mixed sheep and cropping farm, WA Young Achiever Awards Agriculture Award finalist Nicholas Hardie did not immediately pursue an agricultural pathway. Boddington local Nicholas (20) said while he did not fully understand at the time how much of an impact growing up on a farm had on him, it really was the start of a love and passion for agriculture as, after spending two years boarding in Perth

WA Young Achiever Awards Agriculture Award finalist Katrina Sasse is a passionate advocate for female farmers, particularly farmers’ daughters. A 2017 Nuffield Scholarship winner, Katrina (29) received the award to investigate how daughters of farmers can become farmers in their own right or be actively involved in decision making in family farm business succession planning. “As a growers daughter I have been part of the family business since an early age and have returned to

The annual celebration of all things honey will kick off in two weeks as part of Honey Month, with the Honey Festival being one of the first events throughout May to promote the importance of Australian honeybees and their products. The Honey Festival will take place at The House of Honey in Herne Hill on Sunday 7 May, and is expected to attract more than 3,000 visitors. WAFarmers Bees Section President Leilani Leyland said the