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Farming comes with uncertainty, which now feels sharper than usual.

The fine art of risk PremiumOpinion: Why uncertainty is agriculture’s greatest advantage

Australia’s producers know risk isn’t a side effect of the job — it is the job. 

Sophia Benedetti

Australia's top science agency is to shed hundreds of jobs and narrow its range of research work. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

TechnologyHundreds laid off as national science agency cuts jobs

Up to 350 scientists will be laid off as the CSIRO announces a cost-cutting restructure stemming from financial pressures and government funding not keeping up.

William Ton

The first container shipments of cotton at Wyndham Port.

COTTONING ONPremiumCotton on: Ord farmers set to hit shipping goal by Christmas

The Kimberley’s fledgling cotton industry looks almost certain to hit its target of exporting 90,000 bales of cotton by the end of the year, with the second WA shipment in history setting sail this week. 

Cally Dupe

A grain truck has rolled at a roundabout in Narrogin, with its driver taken to hospital.

truck rolloverPremiumTruck driver sustains minor injuries after roundabout crash

A truck driver has had a lucky escape after he rolled his grain truck off the edge of a bridge into a creek bed near the centre of Narrogin on Tuesday morning. 

Jacki Elezovich

The Kimberley Meat Company abattoir between Broome and Derby is undergoing upgrades ahead of a planned reopening in 2027.

Pastoral StabilityPremiumNew owners commit to reopening of northern abattoir in 2027

The Canadian firm behind the purchase of Yeeda Pastoral Company is chipping away at upgrades to reopen the Kimberley’s only abattoir by 2027.

Georgia Campion

Elders chief executive Mark Allison.

Ag AcquiredPremiumElders’ $475 million takeover of Delta Ag finalised

Elders has officially merged with Delta Agribusiness in a $475 million deal following the consumer watchdog’s decision in early October not to oppose the acquisition. 

Georgia Campion

An artist’s impression of the abattoir proposed for Mt Barker.

ABATTOIR EXPLORATIONPremiumMt Barker multi-species abattoir to safeguard service kills

A new multi-species abattoir is on the cards for Mt Barker after more than $90,000 was awarded to explore the farmer-led project put forward in a bid to safeguard service kills for the region’s small producers.

Melissa Sheil

Harvest is ramping up across WA.

RAMPING UPPremiumHarvest ramps up as receival site records tumble

Harvest records continue to tumble just weeks into the season as farmers crank up their headers, setting the pace for what is looking increasingly likely to be a record crop. 

Cally Dupe

A bushfire that shut Brand Highway, north of Gingin, has been contained after it erupted at midday on Monday.

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updated
WA NEWS
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Highway shut after national park bushfire erupts

Commuters are being urged to take an alternative route.

Gerard Hodges, the face of Cancer Council WA’s 2025 Christmas appeal, at Milroy Lodge in Shenton Park.

Christmas appealWheatbelt farmer becomes face of Cancer Council WA’s appeal

Wheatbelt farmer Gerard Hodges has become the face of Cancer Council WA’s 2025 Christmas appeal after a shock skin cancer diagnosis turned his life upside down.

Claire Middleton

The Esperance Port Zone is leading the State in grain deliveries this harvest.

Harvest ReportPremiumEsperance Zone leading WA in grain deliveries

The Esperance Port Zone is leading the State in grain deliveries and is set to smash its own receival record of 3.6Mt, with a record-breaking harvest predicted.

Georgia Campion

Westpac chief executive Anthony Miller.

BusinessCommentsBig-four bank pledges no regional branch closures until 2030

A big-four bank has vowed not to shut any of its branches in regional Australia until 2030 amid ongoing criticism of the nation’s biggest lenders over widespread closures.

Adrian Lowe

The US has removed tariffs on more than 200 Australian food products, including beef. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

international (foreign) tradePremiumAustralian push for zero US tariffs after beef reprieve

The Albanese government has taken credit for the lifting of US tariffs on Australian beef but the opposition says it's due to pressure from American consumers.

Lloyd Jones

WA producers say they are in the box seat to benefit from US President Donald Trump’s decision to lower US tariffs on agricultural imports.

CanberraCommentsPremiumWhy WA producers first to benefit from beef tariff U-turn

WA producers say they are in the box seat to benefit from US President Donald Trump’s decision to lower US tariffs on agricultural imports.

Matt Shrivell and Oliver Lane

Donald Trump has wound back tariffs on produce imports.

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World PoliticsComments
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Trump tariff backflip delivers huge win for Aussie exporters

Australian producers have been gifted a welcome shot in the arm after US President Donald Trump announced the US will be lowering tariffs on agricultural imports including beef.

Matt Shrivell and Oliver Lane

Spudshed's founder Tony Galati.

Crisp PlanPremiumTwo South West orchards snapped up by WA spud empire

Spud King Tony Galati has forked out $14 million in a deal to nab two major Manjimup orchards in his plan to secure local produce for slated-to-open regional stores.

Georgia Campion

Incumbent director Michelle Humphries and newcomers Anthony Uren and Chris Mirams were elected to AWI’s seven-person board during the organisation’s annual general meeting in Sydney on November 14. 

AWI ELECTION PremiumHumpries, Mirams and Uren appointed to AWI board

Australian Wool Innovation’s three preferred candidates have been appointed to the board after what its outgoing chair said could be a “brutal” but important election process. 

Cally Dupe

The Esperance Port.

MILESTONE SHIPMENTPremiumMilestone shipment of canola to China

Australia has shipped canola to China for the first time in five years, with a vessel hauling a trial cargo of the oilseed setting sail from Esperance for Qingdao last weekend. 

Cally Dupe

Authorities have announced a new quarantine zone for Perth as they try to manage the spread of the shot-hole borer.

WA NewsCommentsAll of Perth placed under new quarantine plan

The expansion of the quarantine zone starts today as part of significant changes to dealing with a destructive pest destroying WA’s trees.

Matt Zis

The Katanning gold project is at Badgebup north-east of the Great Southern town.

Given priorityPremiumKatanning gold project picked for priority approvals program

Ausgold’s $355 million Katanning gold project has been selected to enter the State Government’s priority approvals program as the company progresses towards a final investment decision next year.

Neil Watkinson

Shane Love Leader of The Nationals WA.

opinion
opinion
Shane LoveComments
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Unattainable net zero targets crippling household budgets

Without wishing to pour more fuel on the net zero fire, I am pleased to say that the Nationals WA party room has voted to move away from the Government’s net zero climate targets.

Shane Love

Newly weaned piglets at Frankland River Free Range Pork farm.

PIGS STOLENPremium‘Disappointing’: Brazen thieves steal 65 pigs worth $12,000

Cranbrook police are investigating a brazen theft in the Great Southern in which 65 male pigs worth about $12,000 were stolen. 

Cally Dupe

Nationals MP Lachlan Hunter.

State PoliticsCommentsPremium‘Disgraceful’ Labor tears up WA school bus contracts

WA Labor has torn up the contracts of another three orange school bus contractors, leaving West Aussie families in the lurch. 

Cally Dupe

A senior Jewish leader has called for Roger Cook to intervene and for Labor MP Klara Andric, pictured, to resign

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
State politicsVideoCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Call for Labor MP to resign over ‘despicable’ nazi slur

A senior Jewish leader has called for Roger Cook to intervene and for Labor MP Klara Andric to resign, after her ‘fuhrer’ insult set off an unsavoury 24 hours in State Parliament. 

Jessica Page