Georgia Hargreaves

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WA agricultural lobby group halts operations to investigate financial misconduct

Jan 24, 2025 | abc.net.au | Georgia Hargreaves |Belinda Varischetti

The Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) of Western Australia has suspended operations after uncovering financial misconduct within the organisation. Late last night the agricultural lobby group put itself into voluntary suspension to address the issues. It will pause the collection of membership fees and staff will be stood down in the short-term. The PGA acknowledged there was a "financial deficit" but would not disclose the exact amount of money that was missing.
Australian wool production forecast to drop to lowest level in 100 years

Dec 16, 2024 | abc.net.au | Angus Verley |Georgia Hargreaves

Australian wool production is set to fall to its lowest level in more than 100 years next financial year, declining by 12 per cent. Western Australia is set to be hardest hit, and sheep producers say the live sheep export ban by 2028 is partly to blame. The industry wants better wool prices to support future production, to help it compete with farming alternatives like beef and grain. Australian wool production is set to fall to its lowest level in more than 100 years by mid-2025.
Is CBH's dominance in the grain market waning as other exporters jump in?

Dec 8, 2024 | abc.net.au | Georgia Hargreaves |Belinda Varischetti

Western Australia's grain industry is dominated by one operator, the Cooperative Bulk Handling (CBH) group, but that could change as farmers seek alternative means of exporting, effectively bypassing the state's main bulk handler this harvest. A bulk shipment of grain being exported out of Albany port early next year is the result of a new partnership between family-owned Commodity Ag and Victoria-based grain trader Flexi Grain.
Heavy haulage roads in regional WA are being labelled 'atrocious' with calls to Main Roads to better maintain them

Dec 4, 2024 | abc.net.au | Georgia Hargreaves

The owner of a transport company is calling for Main Roads to be held accountable for the "below poor" condition of several essential heavy haulage roads in Western Australia. Last year the public utility provider spent $3.8 billion on managing the state's road network but regional truck drivers say that money is not being spent in areas that need it most.
Aquaculture industry concerned desalination plant could damage pristine WA waters

Nov 5, 2024 | abc.net.au | Georgia Hargreaves

Aquaculture operators in one of Australia's premier oyster-producing regions say a proposed desalination plant could be "catastrophic" for the environment and shellfish. Desalination is the process of removing salt and impurities from seawater to make it safe to drink. After the purification process, the leftover salty brine or effluent usually gets put back into the ocean.
From $20 to $2.50 a punnet. Why blueberry prices have dropped across Australia

Oct 21, 2024 | abc.net.au | Georgia Hargreaves |Peter Barr

Blueberry prices have dropped in supermarkets across Australia as seasonal supply levels peak to astronomical heights. Earlier this year, blueberry prices skyrocketed to up to $20 a punnet in some parts of the country due to a gap in supply after the end of the berry season. But small punnet prices have dropped below $2.50 in most capital cities this month. Australians consume about 18,000 tonnes of blueberries each year.
These GPS cow collars are allowing producers to farm without physical fences

Oct 16, 2024 | refresh.news | Georgia Hargreaves |Peter Barr

Farmers can create virtual fences using a solar-powered, GPS-enabled collar to track and move their livestock around the farm from a remote device. Powered by the Echo RSS Plugin by CodeRevolution.
These GPS cow collars are allowing producers to farm without physical fences

Oct 16, 2024 | abc.net.au | Georgia Hargreaves |Peter Barr

For Kent Rochester, virtual fencing technology has made his job farming cattle a whole lot easier. The technology allows livestock to be moved or confined without the need for physical fences or gates. After a farming accident more than 20 years ago, Mr Rochester was left quadriplegic, but it has not stopped him from running a cattle farming operation at Manypeaks, about 440 kilometres south of Perth.
Cattle farming from a wheelchair

Oct 16, 2024 | abc.net.au | Georgia Hargreaves |Elaenor Nield

Twenty years ago, Kent Rochester broke his neck in an accident that left him quadriplegic. Cutting-edge technology means he can keep doing what he loves -- farming.
Chinese delegates touring WA wine regions for first time since tariffs lifted

Oct 6, 2024 | abc.net.au | Georgia Hargreaves |Kate Forrester

Chinese delegates have toured Western Australia's wine regions for the first time since crippling trade tariffs imposed four years ago were lifted. Several wineries in WA have resumed exports to China since the tariffs were lifted in April. Producers hope the tour will lay the foundation for new trade relationships between Australian wine exporters and Chinese buyers.