Countryman

Costs soarSteep prices put pressure on WA meat processors

Abattoirs have been losing up to $350 per head of cattle and $35 per sheep processed because of a steep rise in livestock prices.

Jenne Brammer

Grain gainsFarmers’ spirits lifted as rains drench Wheatbelt

WA’s grain farmers won’t start planting their crops until next month, but heavy widespread rains have delivered a major confidence boost for the season ahead.

Jenne Brammer

New ownersKangan, Yandeyarra for sublease after cattle deaths

Pilbara’s Mugarinya Community Association and the State Government have started a search for new owners after cattle welfare issue two years ago.

Jenne Brammer

Canned musterNullarbor muster cancelled for second year in a row

COVID regulations have forced the cancellation of the NullarborMuster for the second year in a row.

Kelsey Reid

Feedlot FiguresFeedlot numbers on way up towards national herd target

There were more than 46,000 cattle in WA feedlots at the end of last year, up more than 8000 head compared to the September quarter and in line with the national increase to 1.04 million head.

Bob Garnant

Big yearAustralia notches up record $65.9b farm production

2020-21 is forecast to be an excellent year for Australian agriculture, with an expected 8 per cent lift in production value on last year

Jenne Brammer

GM CropsNew South Wales plans to lift long ban on GM crops

The move means Tasmania and Kangaroo Island will be the only Australian areas with moratoriums still in place.

James O'Doherty and Cally Dupe

Infrastructure fundsLoan puts Australian Potash closer to Lake Wells dream

Australian Potash is the latest aspiring potash player to secure a big lick of cash from the Federal Government to fund its Lake Wells project near Laverton.

Stuart McKinnon

Wool eventWomen in Wool set to convene on Friday

Four of the Australian wool industry’s brightest stars will headline an online Zoom forum this Friday as part of an early International Women’s Day celebration.

goingComm Bank closing in Harvey

Harvey Shire president Paul Gillett has slammed Commonwealth Bank’s decision to pull out of Harvey.

Briana Fiore

educationHarvey Ag School keeping kids in regions

Retaining youth in country areas like the South West is easier said than done, but a successful education and training institution in Harvey may just be creating a “reverse effect”.

Briana Fiore

Highway tragedyCops investigate tree branch link in fatal SW crash

Police are investigating whether a fallen tree branch contributed to the death of a man in Harvey last week — the second time in a year a branch has caused a serious crash in the area.

Briana Fiore

Cattle empireAndrew Forrest beefs up farming portfolio

The two farms were once part of the prestigious Cantabilling Springs aggregation, whose ownership history includes Australian business woman Janet Holmes-a-Court, and failed coal tycoon Ric Stowe.

Jenne Brammer

Bricks and mortarWhy bargain house hunters should head to regional WA

While property prices across the country were growing at their fastest pace in 17 years, regional WA is the best place to find a bargain.

Kim Macdonald

LivestockShipload of Spanish cattle to be killed

About 900 Spanish cattle on a livestock ship will be killed after vets deemed them unfit for export, sparking anger from animal rights groups.

Cattle rustlingPair charged over $800,000 worth of stolen cattle

Two people have been charged after police busted an alleged cattle rustling network worth hundreds of thousands of dollars operating in the State’s north.

Michael Traill

Shipping newsCOVID-19 logistics weigh on ship charterer Wellard

The WA company says costly, time-consuming crew changes because of the virus, and the docking of one of its vessels contributed to a bigger interim loss.

Sean Smith

WoolPoll chairmanSteven Bolt elected to WoolPoll chair

The 2021 WoolPoll Panel has elected Corrigin-based woolgrower Steven Bolt as its chairman.

Status quoCBH growers vote “no” to changing its board structure

Grain growers controlling Australia’s biggest co-operative have voted against improvements to its governance structure, which would have led to the biggest board shake-up in its 88-year history.

Jenne Brammer

Vital package$18M poured into Wooroloo blaze recovery

Communities that were affected by the devastating Wooroloo bushfires are set to receive an $18.1 million recovery support package to aid the ongoing rebuilds.

Brianna Dugan

Changing handsIconic Balfour Downs station set to fetch up to $40m

A Chinese billionaire is selling his East Pilbara cattle station — just the fourth time in a century the property has been put up for sale — to focus on his WA wine business.

Jenne Brammer