WA Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today released 2011 Planning Ahead: A guide for your cropping program, a comprehensive guide to help Western Australian grain growers prepare for the next season. Mr Redman said the guide would be distributed before Christmas to allow growers to examine key decision-making areas underpinning cropping program decisions for 2011. “2010 delivered one of the driest growing seasons on record, resulting in below-average yields and financial hardship for... ...Read more »

A West Australian organic farmer has found genetically manipulated (GM) canola seeds contaminating nearly two thirds of his arable land. Australian organic standards mandate zero tolerance for any GM so he will consider suing for financial loss, the first case of its kind in Australia. Steve Marsh says he used test strips to identify the seeds of GM canola which have blown more than 1.5 km inside his boundary and contaminated about 220 hectares. He believes the seed may have blown in after a neighbouring... ...Read more »

The Western Australian Government has announced a $178.8million investment package to bolster the state’s grain freight network.Premier Colin Barnett said the funding package would secure the Federal Government’s commitment of $135million announced in the 2010-11 Federal budget. With previously committed State funds, it brings the total investment in the grain freight network to $352million over four years. Mr Barnett said farmers and road users would all benefit from the move. “This... ...Read more »

A healthy lupin snack and a sweet and salty ice cream have clinched the 2010 WA Department of Agriculture and Food Student Food and Beverage Product Development Awards.Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today congratulated the award recipients and participants for their creativity. The annual awards form part of a link between the Department of Agriculture and Food’s food technology unit and Curtin University’s food science and technology program. “The... ...Read more »

Western Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman has predicted a bright future for the Buy West, Eat Best brand at a breakfast function to celebrate the program’s third anniversary. “The Buy West, Eat Best concept has been embraced by the Western Australian food industry – from small producers right through to the big supermarket chains,” Mr Redman said. “Membership numbers have grown from just two to more than 100 in three years, and continue to climb. “I... ...Read more »

Supermarkets focus of new campaign in Perth and regional Western Australia The Fair Work Ombudsman has announced plans to randomly audit more than 100 major supermarkets in Perth and regional Western Australia.The Agency has written to supermarkets throughout the State to inform them of the targeted campaign and provide information about workplace laws. The campaign will be conducted in three stages. Fair Work inspectors last week wrote to 40 supermarkets located north of the Swan River in Perth... ...Read more »

This October the Wine Industry Association of WA (Inc.) is launching the Inaugural WA Wine Month; an opportunity to celebrate, discover, experience and enjoy local Western Australian wines.In year one WA Wine Month showcases over 35 masterclasses, food and wine matching experiences and other WA wine themed activity taking place in both the Perth CBD and in WA’s wine regions. As this event evolves, year-on-year, consumers will have an exciting and comprehensive list of exclusive wine themed... ...Read more »

Western Australia’s $45million potato industry is poised to regain access to valuable international markets after being cleared of the devastating pest, potato cyst nematode. Following more than two decades of rigorous testing and surveillance, Western Australia has been reinstated as a potato cyst nematode (PCN) free area, WA Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman announced today. “Since the discovery of the nematode on six properties in the Perth metropolitan area between 1986... ...Read more »

Cullen scoops top prize from 10,983 entries in world’s biggest wine show A Western Australian Chardonnay is the world’s best, according to judges at the world’s biggest and most prestigious wine show, The Decanter World Wine Awards 2010. London’s Royal Opera House was the venue for Wednesday night’s unveiling of the 28 ultimate world-beating wines from the 10,983 entries in the 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards. WA’s Cullen Wines beat hundreds of Chardonnays from... ...Read more »

Young people are being encouraged to ‘open their minds’ to a career in agriculture, with the launch of a new information brochure by WA Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman at the Dowerin Field Days.Mr Redman said the ‘Open your mind: careers in agriculture’ origami-style brochure sought to inspire upper school students to consider the vast range of career opportunities in agriculture. “There are so many different, dynamic careers young people can pursue in agriculture,”... ...Read more »