Day two of the 2017 WAFarmers Annual Conference: GROW2017 featured a series of presentations from industry leaders, as well as the AGMs for various WAFarmers commodity sections. Hosted by MC Vin Dawes from Rural Focus, proceedings were opened by Australian Paralympian and HBF Ambassador Brant Garvey at the business breakfast, who spoke about mental resilience, persistence and maintaining a positive outlook and how those characteristics can translate seamlessly across any workplace. Following the breakfast, Agriculture

The 2017 WAFarmers Annual Conference: GROW2017 kicked off this afternoon with the WAFarmers AGM, which included the appointment of new Board Members, and detailed discussion regarding structural and constitutional changes. Lyn Slade retained the position of Senior Vice President, being unopposed, and WAFarmers President Tony York announced that, following no nominations for the position of Vice President, the position would be filled by the WAFarmers Board. With the retirement of Ian Barden Brown and Bob

WAFarmers urges the elected State Government to develop an online portal for the state’s apiary industry and government to allow more efficient information exchange and collection. Speaking on one of the Wish List items that forms part of their Policy Platform, WAFarmers President Tony York said an online portal would provide a central database for the Department of Parks and Wildlife’s (DPaW) apiary activities, as well as industry activities. “Current communication between the apiary industry

Western Australia’s current biosecurity status, processes and funding could be improved by the appointment of an independent Auditor General who could make recommendations on how to improve outputs and efficiencies, according to WAFarmers. Speaking on one of the Policy Priorities as part of their State Election Policy Platform, WAFarmers President Tony York said WA’s enviable biosecurity status yielded significant benefits but that there was scope for streamlining and amalgamating of biosecurity resources, and providing transparency

The future of state-owned monopoly assets and key road infrastructure in Western Australia hang in the balance this State Election, with the agricultural sector following the issues with keen interest. Speaking on two of the WAFarmers State Election Wish List items that make up their Policy Platform, WAFarmers President Tony York said industry needed to have the clear protections and benefits outlined, particularly in regards to the sale of Fremantle Port and Western Power. “WAFarmers

WAFarmers is seeking a commitment from the political parties in the lead up to the State Election to improve and facilitate greater access for Restricted Access Vehicles (RAV) 4, as part of their State Election Policy Platform. WAFarmers President Tony York said freight was essential to all agricultural inputs, throughputs and outputs, but that these were under threat from the lack of accessibility on current road networks. “Road transport is critical to any farming business,

The sustainability and viability of the WA dairy industry is dependent on long term investment according to WAFarmers, which has identified the issue as part of their State Election Policy Platform. WAFarmers President Tony York said a dairy task force needed to be established to determine a long term solution for the WA dairy industry. “WAFarmers requests that the Department of Food and Agriculture WA and the Minister for Agriculture and Food commit to working

Recent catastrophic fires in regional Western Australia have prompted renewed calls for reform to fire mitigation protocols and structures, with WAFarmers leading the charge as part of their State Election Policy Platform. Speaking on one of the six WAFarmers Policy Priorities for the State Election, WAFarmers President Tony York said climatic conditions in the South West lead to increased fuel loads and, combined with the forestry and native vegetation in the region, this had created

Farmers who have been affected by the flooding caused by recent heavy rains are now able to access the Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery A​rrangements (WANDRRA) fund. With much of the state now having been declared a natural disaster zone, the fund has been opened to assist those who have suffered from the direct impact of the floods. WAFarmers President Tony York said while the rains missed harvest, there would be remedial works

WAFarmers has welcomed the announcement of the WA Wild Dog Alliance interim Committee Members, which includes WAFarmers Livestock Council representative Scott Pickering. Mr Pickering, who also holds the role of the WAFarmers representative on the National Wild Dog Consultative Committee, will work alongside seven other interim committee members to make long-term arrangements towards the eradication of wild dogs in Western Australia. WAFarmers Livestock Section Executive Officer Kim Haywood, who has contributed significantly towards the WA