The Muresk Institute invites family, friends, landholders and rural life-stylers to attend its Open Day on 9 May, 2015. The Open Day will include industry presentations and displays relevant to small landholders, careers and training information and opportunities to learn new skills.  For a detailed program of activities click here. Visit www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/mureksinstitute for more details.

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking three non-executive Directors to be appointed to the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Board at this year’s Annual General Meeting. The Board provides direction to the management of the company including strategy development, review of governance, financial performance and risk management. As a skills-based Board, Directors have a range of expertise across corporate governance, business management, finance, livestock production and supply chain value adding, international marketing and research

Despite calls from WA’s largest agricultural advocacy body, Brookfield Rail has ordered the forced removal of the CBH rail fleet from the State’s grain freight rail network overnight. The interim access agreement expired last night as attempts by CBH to reach an arrangement with Brookfield Rail proved unsuccessful. Negotiations were hindered by Brookfield Rail’s decision to seek an increase of access rates by up to 30 per cent – a rise which WA grain growers

Following the previous success of Western Australian applicants, WAFarmers is encouraging all young people who are committed to the Australian beef industry to apply for the 2015 NAB Agribusiness Beef Industry Rising Champions Initiative. WAFarmers meat council member Hayley Goad was the WA State finalist in 2014, while Blythe Calnan and Stephanie Coombes, the 2013 and 2012 State finalists, became the overall national champions in their respective years.  The initiative is in its fifth year

WAFarmers has expressed concern over Brookfield Rail’s reported plans to increase access rates to the State’s grain freight rail network by up to 30 per cent. Brookfield Rail and Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) are currently in negotiations to agree on an interim access agreement for the State-owned rail network.  According to an article in today’s The West Australian newspaper, Brookfield Rail intends to increase charges, despite a recent rise in line with the consumer price

Coles has announced that it will allocate $50 million over five years in grants and interest-free loans to farmers who are keen to improve on-farm efficiency and develop new products.  The Coles Nurture Fund will be open to small and medium sized farm businesses, food producers and manufacturers. The grants and loans are available to help small entrepreneurs and innovative businesses to deliver better products to customers and improve how they get that product to

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) are reviewing chemicals and require feedback. The chemicals are listed below: Acephate Levamisole Aluminium phosphide (phosphine) Methomyl Amitrole Permethrin Carbofuran Phorate Chlorothalanil Picloram Cyanazine/simazine Propargite Dicofol Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides Dithiocarbamates (including mancozeb, metiram, propineb, thiram, zineb and ziram) Triazole fungicides (including propiconazole) Fenbutatin oxide Trichlorfon Hexazinone Please provide information on the following: The importance of any of these chemicals to you, including the availability of alternatives.

Recent media coverage of a Government crackdown on illegal workers has prompted WAFarmers to remind members it is imperative that their employees have valid and appropriate visas. It is a timely reminder for farmers whose seasonal workforce is often made up of visitors on working holidays from overseas.  The Australian Deputy Immigration Minister has stated that resources are now being re-directed to the 60,000 individuals that have overstayed their original visa. If an employee is

WAFarmers has lodged an official complaint with the Advertising Standards Bureau against the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ online advertisement which grossly misrepresents the practice of shearing. The Victorian Farmers Federation lodged a complaint this week and WAFarmers has taken similar action in support as it is vital that the industry works together against organisations that attack it. WAFarmers urges everyone to do the same and lodge a complaint against this misleading representation of the