Horticulture

Pacific workersNT’s Pacific fruit pickers too late for Ord farmers

Ord farmers touted as the first beneficiaries of a plan to allow workers from Vanuatu and Timor-Leste to enter WA say the measure has come too late for this year.

Cally Dupe

Helping handsHundreds of season workers to bring in WA’s harvest

Farm workers from Vanuatu and Timor-Leste will be brought into WA to help bring in this year’s harvests, the State Government has revealed.

Charlotte Elton

‘Crisis mode’Harvest fix ‘too late’ to stop fruit and veg shortages

Growers says the Government’s move to attract Australians to the country to pick fruit and veg have come months too late to avoid shortages and price hikes.

Sarah Ison

Super foodWA apples healthiest in the world

WA-bred apples are among the healthiest in the world and they could soon become even healthier, according to new research from Edith Cowan University.

Rourke Walsh

WATER WISHLISTWA Shires plan projects with $500K-$1M drought boost

As part of the $301 million nationwide Drought Communities Programme initiative, 25 WA local governments were awarded $1million and a further 10 received $500,000.

Shannon Verhagen

Holy guacamole!Emanuel Exports’ smashing new investment

The Daws family, which pioneered the State’s live export industry, has become a major shareholder in an avocado-focused business

Jenne Brammer

No growthMedian WA farm prices fall flat in 2019

A Rabobank report found WA was the weakest performing of all States for median farmland value growth.

Jenne Brammer

Big carrot$3m package to lure jobless to country farm work

With 7000 workers needed for agricultural work in coming months, the State Government has announced a scheme to entice seasonal agricultural workers into regional WA.

Jenne Brammer

In demandWA citrus industry avoids China squeeze

Diplomatic tensions between China and Australia may have soured but demand from the Asian giant for WA oranges has never been sweeter.

Jenne Brammer

Plans dampenedMyalup-Wellington water project in doubt

The future of a $400 million water infrastructure project in the South West is in doubt after a deal could not be struck with coal companies.

Jenne Brammer

Assault ChargeMan charged with assaulting public officer

A 60-year-old man has been charged with assaulting a public officer following an incident in Manjimup on August 3.

Tristan Wheeler

Cotton industryCottoning on to growth good for WA’s north

A new report has painted a positive picture for the fledgling cotton industry in WA’s far north, forecasting global cotton consumption to grow by 13 million bales over the next 10 years.

Shannon Verhagen

Ord updateMilestone nears for KAI’s flagship farm

The Chinese-owned company farming large parcels of the Ord hopes to finish developing its flagship and biggest farm this year, nearly seven years after being awarded the rights.

EXCLUSIVE Cally Dupe

Skills shortageFarmers told to fill backpacker gap with local jobless

Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan says farm industries could do more to attract local workers, as seasonal workers dry up amid COVID travel restrictions.

Jenne Brammer

Berry crush$15m worth of strawberries to go unpicked

Perth’s strawberry growers are calling on families to come and pick their own fruit earlier this year, to put a dent in thousands of tonnes set to rot because there isn’t the manpower for harvest.

Jenne Brammer

Food shortagesFruit, veg price hikes loom as COVID limits pickers

Farming industries are lobbying WA Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan to urgently broker a deal to allow international workers into the State.

Jenne Brammer

ORDSOMEWeapons down in water battle

The Ord farmers’ five year fight over their water entitlements has finally had a happy ending, with the WA Government announcing it would not appeal the decision which favoured local growers.

Elise Van Aken

Tap or protect?Showdown brews over Fitzroy River’s future

The Kimberley has huge potential for agricultural development to create jobs but there’s opposing views about how it should proceed and fears it will ruin a sacred and “beautiful corner of Australia”.

Jenne Brammer

Double whammySA chips in to help spud king Galati top up WA supply

Storm and hail damage have wiped out crops bound for Tony Galati’s Spud Shed outlets, forcing him to look elsewhere to meet demand.

Jenne Brammer

SPIRITS RAISEDInfusion of local spirit in lockdown pink gin

Forced to slow down during the coronavirus pandemic, a local agriculture stalwart’s creativity has been given room to spark, with the resulting product lifting the spirits of the Kununurra community.

Elise Van Aken

HorticultureColes joins Fair Farm jobs scheme

Coles has joined Woolworths and Aldi in backing in Australian- made certification for ethical employment in horticulture.

Cally Dupe

Truffle KerfuffleBig kerfuffle over cancelled festival

Manjimup’s annual Truffle Kerfuffle has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus crisis.

Tristan Wheeler

Destructive pestWestern suburbs quarantined over fruitfly

A different form of quarantine is now in place in some of Perth’s most affluent suburbs.

Jenne Brammer

Super dealAlterra smashes South West avocado deal

The land asset developer has locked in its first avocado venture, involving 300ha at Pemberton and will raise development capital through a syndicate of professional investors.

Jenne Brammer