The Federal and State Government, in conjunction with Main Roads WA, have funded upgrades for the Great Northern Highway. Main Roads WA is now undertaking a review of the concept designs they have produced for various sections of the highway. These designs will be presented for review and feedback in March and April. Interested members of the community are invited to attend an information session, listed below, to review and discuss these options with the

The University of Technology Sydney is leading a research project testing sources of medicinal Australian Leptospermum honey (also known as jelly bush or Australian manuka) for antimicrobial activity. Researchers will investigate the relationship between the activity and the plant source. The project is asking beekeepers with access to Leptospermum honey to provide samples to be included in the research. The project will run over the next three years, allowing for the collection and testing of

Farm businesses throughout the State are encouraged to register now for free planning workshops provided by the Department of Agriculture and Food. Department project manager Jason Moynihan said the training and support, which was part of the Farm Planning Workshop series, was being offered to assist rural businesses to build their resilience and capacity to grow. “The workshops are expected to provide participants with the skills and confidence to improve their long-term financial viability and

The Agrifood Labour Initiative and Sheep Industry Leadership Council plan to develop and implement a Certificate III traineeship specifically for the WA Sheep industry; and are looking to recruit school leavers to enter the industry. CCIWA is seeking Expressions of Interest from farm businesses who would like to be involved. They plan to partner with high schools offering agriculture courses and want to recruit applicants to the program from Year 11 & 12 students already

WAFarmers has completed several submissions recently and is continuing to work on a number of others. WAFarmers recently made a submission registering the organisations support for the Criminal Code Amendment (Animal Protection) Bill 2015, referred by the Senate to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee for inquiry. WAFarmers endorses the proposed Bill, believing that everyone has a moral obligation to treat all animals humanely. Western Australian livestock producers take their responsibilities for

Kondinin Group is holding free one-day workshops for Australian farmers in WA during March and April. These are business awareness workshops which focus on carbon farming and will assist farmers in considering the business opportunities available through participation in the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). The ERF came into effect from December 2014 and integrates the Australian Government’s original Carbon Farming Initiative scheme. Workshops participants will receive a manual to consolidate the information they receive from

A small exporters assistance package was announced by the Government in May, 2014. The package comprises of three components, specifically a rebate for eligible small exporters, a review of export fees and charges and funding for projects that help improves market access for small exporters. The rebate is available to eligible export registered establishments in the meat, dairy, seafood, eggs, horticulture and grains sectors, where there is a specific export registration charge paid to the

The National Merino Challenge (NMC) is an Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) initiative to encourage young people to engage in the Merino industry by developing their knowledge, skills and networks. Students participate in challenges which test their knowledge of fleece, production, breeding and selection over the two-day event. The event is open to students in years 11 and 12 and tertiary level, Australia-wide. The 2015 NMC will be held in South Australia in May, 2015. For