The Australian Department of Agriculture has entered into an agreement with the European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (EuFMD) for the delivery of real-time foot and mouth disease (FMD) training courses.  A number of courses have occurred throughout 2012/13, with 80 Australian participants having participated in these courses. Given the success of these courses the Department is currently in negotiations with EuFMD for the delivery of further courses for Australians throughout the 2014

The trustees for TH Peterson trust met on Wednesday May 7, 2014 at WAFarmers Head Office. It was the first meeting since the two new trustees, Mike Norton and Phil Gardiner, were officially appointed at the WAFarmers AGM in March 2014. The trustees would like to affirm to interested parties that as per the original intent of the TH Peterson Trust,  the funds invested in the TH Peterson trust will be used to assist in

 WAFarmers is pleased to see the State government retain its commitment to the future competitiveness of agriculture in today’s State budget.  President Dale Park said various funding arrangements should ensure WA’s agriculture sector is better prepared for new markets and the opportunities presented by Asia.  “Despite budget pressures, the State government has stood by its promise to help grow agriculture as the industry faces new challenges and opportunities,” Mr Park said.  In 2014–15, $51.5million of

While the round one application period for farm businesses to apply for loans under the Farm Finance Concessional Loans Scheme (the scheme) for Western Australia has now closed, a second application round will open on 1 July 2014 through to 30 April 2015, subject to available funds. Application documentation will be available at agric.wa.gov.au/farmfinance from early June.  Farm Finance is an Australian Government initiative that aims to build the ongoing financial resilience of farm businesses.

WAFarmers is being asked by its peak body to provide comment on the draft Best Management Practice for the Transportation of Open Entrance Beehives.  This has become necessary because of problems caused by beekeepers leaving bees behind when fuelling up, leaving bees behind at road works and the possibly that shifting beehives with open entrances could be classed as carrying dangerous goods.  The document can be seen here. Comments are to be forwarded to Bees

WAFarmers has made a submission on the Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) genetic benchmarking consultation paper.  It is good to see that AWI is consulting with industry for increased breeder responsibility and full commercialisation of its key genetic benchmarking investments.  There have been 43 responses provided to the consultation document which can be found on the following website, including one from WAFarmers: http://www.wool.com/en/landing-pages/genetic-benchmarking-consultation

Community forums will be held around the State during May, June and July to discuss pastoral lease options and seek feedback leading up to next year’s lease renewals.   This week, pastoralists should receive draft pastoral lease options in the mail from the State government.   Forums will be held at the following locations:   Kalgoorlie – Overland Motel, Tuesday, May 13 Marble Bar – Marble Bar Civic Centre, Thursday, May 22 Carnarvon – The

The WAFarmers Dairy Council has welcomed news of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) instituting proceedings in the Federal Court against Coles Supermarkets Australia for allegedly engaging in unconscionable conduct toward 200 small suppliers. Dairy Section President Phil Depiazzi said it was important that supermarket chains be held to account for their interactions with suppliers. “As we have repeatedly said, Coles’ $1 per litre milk campaign has resulted in low farmgate prices for dairy

The WAFarmers Meat Section is excited to see Andrew Forrest’s Minderoo Group buy Harvey Beef. Meat Section President Jeff Murray said Mr Forrest had “skin in the game” as a major producer with significant business interests in China. “WAFarmers supports Mr Forrest’s vision of exciting future growth prospects for the WA live cattle export and processed beef sectors,” Mr Murray said. “A strong and efficient processing sector is critical to the WA cattle industry and