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GRDC managing director Nigel Hart presenting at the 2026 WAFarmers conference in Albany.

LEVY SYSTEMSPremiumGRDC levy queried at WAFarmers conference

The significant reserves held by the Grains Research and Development Corporation has again come under fire, with critics calling for structural reform and a three-year reduction to levy payments.

Rebecca Nadge

A veterinarian takes samples to test for bird flu.

Avian FluPremiumH5N1 threatens multi-million-dollar sector — new detection

WA poultry producers are on high alert after testing confirmed Australia’s fifth case of H5N1 this week, threatening the multi-million-dollar industry.

Georgia Campion

Federal Agricultural Minister Julie Collins confirmed the case on Tuesday, saying it now marked the fifth case in Australia. 

Public HealthCommentsFifth bird flu case as authorities address human spread risk

Authorities have confirmed another case of H5 bird flu in a migratory bird in WA, outlining details of the latest detections across two Australian states.

Caitlyn Rintoul

SeaStock founder Tom Puddy with some of the product.

revenue streamsPremiumWheatbelt subsurface saltwater to be monetised

A Fremantle algae company owner says subsurface saltwater is an untapped resource that could be used by Wheatbelt farmers to cultivate methane-reducing seaweed.

Melissa Pedelty

Albany police are appealing to the public for information after an incident in Spencer Park left a man seriously injured.

FoundDarkan woman found after being missing for five days

A 46-year-old Darkan woman has been found safe and well in the Upper Murray area, five days after she was reported missing.

Amy Towers

Initial findings from a Facey Group study show containment finishing Merino lambs is a profitable system.

nutrition strategiesPremiumFacey Group study favours containment finishing

Initial findings from a Facey Group study show containment finishing Merino lambs is a profitable system.

Melissa Pedelty

Multi-award winners Tom and Maddie Wilde, who took out six champion titles including the coveted Champion Overall Dairy Product at the Perth Royal Food Awards.

Award winning cheesePremiumCundinup artesian cheese takes out top award

Cundinup-based Cambray master cheesemaker Tom Wilde and his wife Maddie backed up their 2025 champion overall dairy product title with a Washed Rind Brie entry at this year’s Perth Royal Food Awards.

Bob Garnant

The University of Canberra’s Regional Wellbeing Survey showed a marked rise in psychological distress among Australian farmers.

mental healthPremiumAg sector under pressure, lack of mental health support

Mental health care in regional areas remains hard to access despite the marked rise in psychological distress among Australian farmers over the last 10 years

Melissa Pedelty

DPIRD veterinarian taking samples to test for the virus.

Public HealthCommentsFourth suspected case of bird flu found in WA

Another suspected positive case of the deadly H5 bird flu has been detected in WA’s south, bringing the number of confirmed or suspected cases to four.

Oliver Lane

Eileen and Bob Iffla in a crop of oats at their Lake King farm in 2016.

WA newsCommentsPremiumWA ag industry mourns passing of farming legend Bob Iffla

Newdegate-Lake Grace farming legend and influential agri-politics player Bob Iffla has passed away after a lifetime of tenacity and hard work.

Georgia Campion

A camel spotted on the side of Great Central Road.

CAMEL CONCERNSPremiumFeral camel numbers on the rise

Stakeholders say feral camel numbers are on the rise and are calling for additional funding and a unified approach with other States to manage the impacts. 

Danielle Marsland

A WA farmer is fighting for his life in hospital following a serious car accident and intense rescue effort that unfolded on his remote property on Tuesday.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
WA NewsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
WA farmer fighting for life after horror truck collision

A WA farmer is fighting for his life in hospital following a serious car accident and intense rescue effort that unfolded on his remote property on Tuesday.

Caleb Runciman and Melissa Pedelty

WAFarmers chief executive Trevor Whittington.

tax reliefPremiumWhat Albanese and Chalmers’ tax backdown means for farmers

Australian farmers are breathing a sigh of relief following the Federal Government’s decision to expand access to a key capital gains concession.

Melissa Pedelty

In video supplied to The West Australian, footage shows what appears to be a CBH train derailed just past Cowcowing on 22nd June

Countryman NewsVideoPremiumWATCH: Investigations underway after CBH grain train derails

Footage shows a locomotive and at least five grain carriages lying on their side with grain spilled out on to grass.

Georgia Campion

Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis revealed 94 calls were made to the hotline between Saturday and Monday.

Public HealthCommentsWA braces for bird flu spread with 11 pending test results

Authorities confirmed one bird found in the Perth metro area and another in Geraldton are currently undergoing testing.

Caitlin Vinci and Jessica Page

RFDS fundraising co-ordinator Kelly Haddrick and planned giving lead Gill Murray alongside AWN WA manager Greg Tilbrook.

RFDS fundraisingPremiumAWN and Dyson Jones’ support RFDS

Three bales of superfine Merino wool sold through the WA wool auction system have raised a combined total of $8639 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service WA.

Melissa Pedelty

The Ingham's processing plant in Osborne Park.

Bird FluPremiumWA producers lock down as H5N1 hits Australian shores

WA’s poultry producers are bracing for H5N1 after it was detected in two sick birds near Esperance, taking measures to protect their livestock and closing their doors as they lock down against the avian virus.

Georgia Campion

CWA of WA chief executive Trish Langdon, 2026 Nuffield Scholar Blythe Calnan, and CWA of WA State president Felicity Edwards at the 102nd State conference.

Country ConferencePremiumIN PICTURES: Celebrating more than a century of WA’s CWA

Hundreds of WA’s country women flocked to Scarborough’s Rendezvous Hotel for the annual Country Women’s Association of WA State conference and annual general meeting.

Georgia Campion

WASIA president Darren Spencer at his family's Upper Swan farming property.

WASIA leadership changePremiumWASIA president Darren Spencer steps down from 16-year role

WA Shearing Industry Association president Darren Spencer has stepped down after serving 16 years at the helm in promoting excellence to the State’s contractors and shedhand workers.

Bob Garnant

Australian Wool Exchange’s CEO Charlie McElhone is visiting WA to meet with farmers and industry representatives.

industry reflectionPremiumAWEX CEO reflects on the year that was

Australian Wool Exchange chief executive says he is “extremely grateful” for the WA wool industry’s industry-good mindset.

Melissa Pedelty

Albany Farm Fresh Eggs farmer Colin Ford.

Countryman NewsVideoCommentsPremiumSecond WA poultry producer closes farm doors amid bird flu

The Great Southern chicken producer will continue supplying eggs despite closing its farm doors.

Georgia Campion

Anyone affected by a road crash in WA can contact Road Trauma Support WA for free counselling and support.

THE HARD ROADPremiumNavigating road trauma in regional areas

More than half of all road deaths in WA this year have occurred on regional roads, despite only one in five West Australians living in regional areas.

Danielle Marsland

Western Australia’s multimillion-dollar poultry and agricultural industries are fearing the worst after testing confirmed a deadly strain of bird flu had breached the nation’s borders.

Public HealthCommentsDeadly bird flu breach puts WA poultry farms on high alert

Western Australia’s multimillion-dollar poultry and agricultural industries are fearing the worst after testing confirmed a deadly strain of bird flu had breached the nation’s borders.

Caitlin Vinci

Koos de Jonge died after a medical episode while practising for the WA Gravity Enduro event at Evedon Park, Burekup, on June 13.

Rider MournedCommentsPremiumWA farmer revealed as cyclist who tragically died at event

The 46-year-old suffered a medical episode while competing at a WA Gravity Enduro cycling event in the South West.

Claire Middleton