Grain growers have the opportunity to build their understanding of soils through integrated workshops offered by the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA). The ‘Get to know your soils deeper’ workshops will be held at Esperance on 27 June, Corrigin (30 June), Ravensthorpe (1 July), Lake Grace (2 July) and Katanning (3 July). DAFWA research officer Fran Hoyle said the workshops aimed to boost understanding of the interactions between different soil constraints and soil productivity,

Western Australian farm businesses are reminded applications for the second round of the Farm Finance Concessional Loans Scheme (WA) will open on July 1, 2014. Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston said the maximum loan amount for farm businesses to undertake productivity enhancement activities under the scheme would be double that of the first round. “This means under this second funding round, farm businesses will be able to apply for loans of between $50,000 and

Do you know there are up to three levels of approvals you may need to undertake a new farming enterprise on your land? Currently there are local council laws, state environmental legislation AND national environmental protections on all privately owned land. This information will try to explain Commonwealth environmental law. While the (Comwlth) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is only a component of the suite of environment legislation for land managers,

President Dale Park WA left out of loans again – The West/Countryman Dairy Section President Phil Depiazzi Lion announces a milk price increase – Farm Weekly Scare campaign targets dairy industry – Countryman Meat Section President Jeff Murray Live exports to restart in Iran – Farming Ahead The move to reopen the live trade in Iran will result in an improvement in prices across the country – The Weekly Times

Grain growers and beekeepers may be interested in reports from the Neonicotinoids and other insecticides research and stewardship symposium held in April by Plant Health Australia. The symposium report can be downloaded here. More information is available here.

AWI has released a publication called ‘Visual Classing Merino Sheep’. This publication lists the traits important to classing, which characteristics are desirable in the trait and explains the economic importance of each.   The publication can be found here on the AWI website: http://www.wool.com/en/on-farm-research-and-development/sheep-health-welfare-and-productivity/sheep-breeding/visual-classing-merino-sheep Any members who would like a hard copy of the booklet posted to them can contact WAFarmers head office on (08) 9486 2100 to request a copy.  

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is an Australian Government statutory corporation that coordinates and invests in research and development for the benefit of all stakeholders in the grains industry and the  community at large. Applications are sought for non-executive directors for a three year term, commencing in October 2014. Candidates must be able to demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following fields: grains production, processing or marketing conservation and management of natural resources

Grain growers have been urged to incorporate additional measures to combat herbicide resistance to stem the advance of emerging resistance to the most valuable weed control chemical – glyphosate. Several recent surveys by the Department of Agriculture and Food have confirmed that resistance to label rates of glyphosate is increasing. Department senior research officer John Moore encouraged growers to add vigilant crop hygiene to their existing herbicide resistance strategies to address the glyphosate risk. “Glyphosate

The below advert includes details on the Biosecurity Industry Funding Schemes for the 2014-2015 financial year.  Please note that there have been no changes to the area of operation or contribution rates for the three Schemes from last year.  If producers wish to opt out, they must submit their form (available from www.agric.wa.gov.au/bam/opting-out) by 30 June 2014. (Click to enlarge)

Producers are encouraged to read the latest Livestock Producers Assurance bulletin, which showcases the program and highlights educational resources developed for producers. The latest bulletin can be seen by clicking this link. To sign up to receive the newsletter directly, click here.