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AgriculturePremiumBee shortage agitates almond industry

A shortage of bee hives has left almond growers facing multi-million dollar losses, the industry's peak Australian body says.

Liv Casben

AgricultureBanana freckle outbreak grows in NT

A fungal infection affecting banana plants has been detected at 12 more sites in the Northern Territory where officials are gauging the extent of the outbreak.

Tim Dornin

Pollinating fliesResearch looks at potential of flies as pollinators

Flowering blueberry crops in 115-metre-long tunnel houses are being used in trials examining the potential for native flies as a complementary pollinator to bees.

Bob Garnant

FoodPremiumFood Aussies love now going cheap

A popular food appears to have become a victim of its own success. Now Aussies are being urged to eat even more of it.

Melissa Iaria

AgricultureScientists buzzing about mite pesticide

Australian scientists are developing a pesticide that can specifically target the varroa mite as NSW authorities remain hopeful they can eradicate the parasite.

Liv Casben

Save our bees PremiumBeekeepers warn of sting in the tale

To help prepare WA for the inevitable introduction of the varroa mite, PerthNow spoke to multiple industry professionals on the realities of the varroa mite on honey bees

Pip Waller

Avocado Industry ASX-listed avocado company says the future is bright

The company gunning to be WA’s biggest avocado producer plans to kickstart the second stage of its mega tree-planting project after securing $4.9m though a capital raising.

Cally Dupe

Horticulture grantsGrant applications open for horticulture growers

A new round of grants to encourage growers to invest in crop netting is now open and has been extended to include a wider range of horticulture industries across WA.

Bob Garnant

BusinessNT project to get $300m in free water

The Central Land Council says a fruit and vegetable project in the Northern Territory could get more than $300 million in free water over the next 30 years.

Tim Dornin

Reducing the threatWhy protection against citrus gall wasp is so vital

Perth gardeners are likely aware by now how gall wasp has spread throughout the metropolitan area, but the pest has recently been found in Bunbury and Geraldton.

Jade Jurewicz

Biosecurity Risk PremiumBanana growers on high alert for freckle disease

WA’s banana industry is on high alert after the devastating banana freckle disease was discovered in the Northern Territory, the first detection since Australia was declared free of the disease in 2019.

Bob Garnant

Cucumber FarmPremiumMassive cucumber farm to provide local jobs in Geraldton

A joint project is aiming to create Australia’s largest cucumber farm in Geraldton over the next five years, which will involve 600 greenhouses and more jobs on offer in various sectors.

Jessica Moroney

BIOSECURITY ACT REVIEWSubmissions open into review of WA biosecurity laws

Farmers and pastoralists are being encouraged to provide input on a statutory review under way into the effectiveness of WA’s biosecurity legislation, with public submissions now open.

Adam Poulsen

‘simply incorrect’PremiumWA Government hits back at farmers’ forest claims

The State Government has hit back at farmers’ claims its “mismanagement” of native forests in the South West has diminished the water table a shocking six to nine metres, slamming them as “simply not correct”.

EXCLUSIVE Shannon Verhagen

water rightsPremiumSouth West farmers slam forest mismanagement

Outraged fruit and vegetable growers believe they have been unfairly targeted in the Government’s bid to protect environmental water flows in the State’s south.

EXCLUSIVE Shannon Verhagen

KEY PRIORITIESPremiumAustralian agriculture bodies lay priorities on the line

Biosecurity threats, trade barriers and workforce shortages are the most burning issues State and national agriculture bodies want Australia’s new Federal Agriculture Minister to tackle.

Adam Poulsen

‘no water, no food, no farmers’PremiumFears of over-regulation of water plague WA food bowl region

WA fruit and vegetable growers are concerned proposed changes to water legislation will end up in over-regulation across the board, leading to a mass exodus from the $1 billion industry

EXCLUSIVE Shannon Verhagen

Apple Exports Premium‘Jewel coloured’ Bravo apple exports boom

Demand for WA’s home-grown Bravo apple variety is booming, with exports of the “jewel-coloured” fruit to markets — including Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore — set to more than quadruple this year. 

Cally Dupe

‘ideal time’Australian vege and melon industries set for export boost

Australia’s melon, onion and vegetable growers are joining forces to make the most of strong demand and rising trade capacity to bolster exports for the $5.15 billion dollar sector.

Shannon Verhagen

FREE APP LAUNCHEDWA soil health expert launches new free app for farmers

Farmers can now access a wealth of soil health information at the touch of a button with the launch of a new free app developed at the University of WA.

Adam Poulsen

Carnarvon floodsPremiumState accepts recommendations from Carnarvon flood report

Almost $2 million in additional funding will be allocated to improving infrastructure and flood management strategies in Carnarvon in the wake of about 60 farms being destroyed by flooding last year.

Phoebe Pin

what happens next?Premium‘We’re exhausted’: Farmers seek answers on ag labour crisis

Farmers are seeking urgent action to fix crippling worker shortages in the agricultural sector, with industry heavyweights calling for an “emergency taskforce” to fast-track skilled immigration.

Shannon Verhagen

Vale John PremiumVale John: WA-based apple variety developer remembered

John Cripps — known as the father of the Pink Lady apple — died in WA this month, more than 30 years after his apple formula was released to the market.

Cally Dupe and Holly Hales

Nuffield Australia PremiumWA’s Nuffield Scholars prepare to travel the world

Ord farmer Fritz Bolten says this is the year he will sink his teeth into a global scholarship program after two years of pandemic-related challenges, including border closures and a bout of COVID-19.

Cally Dupe