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Countryman

PoliticsPremiumNats and Libs slam pastoral lease renewal changes

The State Opposition has slammed proposed changes to new lease conditions for WA pastoralists and called on the Cook Government to extend public consultation until after the March election.

Staff reporter

HARVEST 2024-25WA crop forecast rises to 20 million tonnes

WA’s harvest is now being tipped to hit a whopping 20 million tonnes after the Grain Industry Association of WA on Friday lifted its 2024-25 crop production forecast by more than 1Mt.

Adam Poulsen

ANNUAL RESULTSPremiumGrain handler CBH posts $73.8 million profit

CBH Group has posted a $279.5 million drop in profit but insists the figure is ‘in line’ with expectations, as Australia’s biggest grain handler continues to spend big on infrastructure improvements.

Olivia Ford

opinion
opinion
‘High bar’CommentsPremium
opinion
Kudos to Cook for principled stance against Canberra

Premier Roger Cook is becoming one of the more intriguing figures in Australian politics, writes WAFarmers chief executive Trevor Whittington.

Trevor Whittington

MACHINERYPremiumCanadian John Deere expert experiences Australian farming

A Canadian John Deere combine product specialist has spent time in WA to better understand the needs and practices of local farmers. 

Olivia Ford

Grain newsPremiumComplaints against ABC’s paraquat coverage dismissed

The ABC Ombudsman has dismissed complaints made by peak farming bodies about its coverage of the herbicide paraquat, concluding the reporting on the chemical was fair and accurate. 

Olivia Ford

M&ACommentsSubdued year for M&A in Australia’s food, beverage sectors

The multi-billion takeover offer for produce grower Costa Group has emerged as the top deal in what was a muted year for mergers and acquisitions in the Australian agribusiness, food and beverage sectors.

Cheyanne Enciso

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
LIVE EXPORTPremium
The West Australian exclusive
WA Govt won’t have say on ‘transition advocate’

WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis has confirmed her department is not working with Federal Labor in its search for a live sheep export ban ‘transition advocate’.

Olivia Ford

‘STRONG OPPORTUNITY’PremiumWA’s chance to expand booming lamb exports to UK

WA sheep producers have an unprecedented chance to tap into demand for lighter lamb carcasses in the UK, as sheepmeat exports boom after a free trade agreement took effect last year.

Adam Poulsen

Board electionsPremiumThree incumbents, two newcomers in CBH Member Director poll

Countryman caught up with the initial five hopefuls running in CBH Group’s 2025 Member Director Elections to find out what their priorities are and what they hope to achieve.

Olivia Ford

Market volatilityPremiumAAAC leader optimistic despite volatile year in ag

‘Disruption’ was the theme at WA’s biggest annual gathering of agricultural consultants, so it’s no surprise industry veteran Carly Veitch described the past five years as a ‘wild ride’. 

Adam Poulsen

AgricultureTractors block London as farmers protest tax change

Farmers from across the United Kingdom have taken their protest against a planned inheritance tax increase to the streets of London.

Staff Writers

WA NEWSPremiumMajor company charged over death of worker at WA abattoir

A major meat processing company has been charged over the death of a foreign national after he became trapped in machinery and died while working at their Katanning abattoir. 

Caleb Runciman

BEAT THE SCAMMERSPremiumHow to spot fake machinery deals

Consumer Protection is warning farmers to be wary of ‘red flags’ when buying equipment, amid a spike in the number of people losing tens and thousands of dollars to sophisticated machinery scams

Olivia Ford

Federal politicsCommentsThe key points of Albo’s $1 billion childcare pledge

Labor is promising to spend $1 billion building childcare centres in 160 areas where parents have no services, with the potential for government to run them, in a major pitch ahead of next year’s election.

Katina Curtis

State politicsCommentsPremiumNationals’ star Mia Davies aiming for Canberra inner circle

The WA candidate has declared that she will be no idle backbencher during her political comeback, aiming to become deputy prime minister if she wins the battle for Bullwinkel.

Jessica Page

reducing excessPremiumNew agribusiness in Manjimup tackles food waste

An individual with a passion for finding waste solutions in agriculture has spent the past 11 months developing a business model to tackle produce oversupply in the Lower South West.

Melissa Pedelty

BEYOND THE SALEYARDSHigh demand boosts sheep market

The sheep market has well and truly kicked higher over the past week with buyers across the supply chain looking for stock.

Rob Kelly

GRAINPremiumPulse storage key to maximising market potential

Pulse growers in WA are being encouraged to implement good storage practices during this year’s harvest to maximise market potential.

Rebecca Turner

Mental healthPremiumBig donation for Lifeline WA in wake of grim report

Arc Infrastructure will donate $150,000 for Lifeline WA to train and recruit an extra 36 volunteer crisis support workers in the wake of alarming new figures on suicide rates in the bush.

Rebecca Turner

premium producePremiumNew campaign puts Manjimup truffles on the menu in Vietnam

A Manjimup truffle producer — located in the heart of the Southern Forests — is being showcased in Vietnam as part of a campaign to promote Western Australia’s premium produce.

Melissa Pedelty

BiosecurityPremiumGiant African Snail detected on NSW container ship

The detection of Giant African Snail on a container vessel at Port Botany in New South Wales has been a timely reminder of Australia’s need for strong biosecurity measures.

Rebecca Turner

LivestockPremiumCattle Australia re-elects leaders

Garry Edwards and Adam Coffey have been re-appointed for a further 12-months as chair and deputy chair of Cattle Australia.

Rebecca Turner

HARVEST 2024-25PremiumWA grain harvest set to wrap up by Christmas

WA’s third-biggest grain harvest on record is expected to be all but finished by Christmas, as deliveries continue to pour through the grids at CBH bins Statewide.

Adam Poulsen