WAFarmers congratulates Aisha O’Donnell, who was the recipient of the $5,000 WAFarmers Muresk Scholarship at the Agribusiness Awards Night last week. The presentation was made at the Awards Night for the Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management, run by Charles Sturt University through Muresk Institute. Ms O’Donnell, who grew up on a beef farm in Benger and is currently completing her final year of studies, said the decision to study agribusiness was an easy one given

WAFarmers has applauded the State Minister for Agriculture in supporting the role and functions of the Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA) and for championing the department’s critical advocacy role. WAFarmers Chief Executive Officer Stephen Brown said Minister Dean Nalder had worked towards redefining and redeveloping the department in the six weeks since his appointment as Minister for Agriculture. “Since his appointment in March, Minister Nalder has demonstrated strong ongoing support for the development

WAFarmers has condemned the Federal Government for not changing the proposed backpacker tax following recommendations from key industry stakeholders. In last night’s Federal Budget, it was confirmed that the proposed tax of 32.5 per cent and the removal of the tax free threshold for backpackers would remain unchanged. This followed reports late last week that recommendations from key industry stakeholders would not be included in the proposal. WAFarmers Chief Executive Officer Stephen Brown said the

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison delivered a modest, mostly positive Budget for the Australian agricultural sector in last night’s Federal Budget, with small businesses set to reap the rewards, according to WAFarmers President Tony York. Key agricultural highlights include a tax cut for small business, an increase in the unincorporated small business tax discount, $15.9 million over four years to build an advanced analytics capability to support biosecurity and a new National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility.

Approximately 40,000 backpackers work on farms each year, and generate more than $3.5 billion to the Australian economy. This significant income stream is under threat if the Federal Government does not take on board recommendations from industry. WAFarmers calls on the Federal Government to provide details on the future of the backpacker tax, following reports that the government does not intend to reconsider the proposed tax or apply recommendations from key industry stakeholders. Ahead of

WAFarmers congratulates AgConnectWA member Luke Ieraci, who was announced as a runner up in the inaugural Brownes Dairy Young Dairy Farmer of the Year Awards tonight. A 21-year-old third-generation dairy farmer from Brunswick Junction, Mr Ieraci was the youngest finalist across the two award categories, both of which were announced at the WAFarmers Dairy Industry Dinner following the 2016 Dairy Innovation Day. Mr Ieraci, who nominated for the dairy farm owner or share farmer category,

A 21-year-old third-generation dairy farmer from Brunswick Junction is the youngest finalist for the inaugural Brownes Dairy Young Dairy Farmer of the Year awards, which will be announced this Thursday. Luke Ieraci, who nominated for the dairy farm owner or share farmer category, believes the biggest challenge facing the dairy industry is the attraction and retention of young people in the industry. Mr Ieraci said his goal was to help raise the number of farms