Mel Williams Journalist Profile

Articles

Exploring the best options for off- farm investments shares versus property

Jan 19, 2025 | farmweekly.com.au | Mel Williams

Property is an excellent off-farm investment, especially considering the past few years of capital growth experienced in the city and most regional and rural towns. Picture suppliedAs farm budget and business planning gets underway in earnest this month, considering where to spend in off-farm investments will likely be a high priority for farmers who have strong equity positions and a good 2024 season under their belt.
Industry cautiously welcomes Cook promise for more housing in regional WA

Jan 16, 2025 | farmweekly.com.au | Mel Williams

A new $25m Regional Housing Support Fund will provide grants of up to $5m to unlock and expedite new housing projects and land supply across regional WA. Picture suppliedA re-elected Cook government will invest $145 million to get more homes built in regional Western Australia, faster.
Merredin Farms understood to have sold to a group of Wheatbelt farmers

Jan 16, 2025 | farmweekly.com.au | Mel Williams

Western Australia's Merredin Farms is set up to produce close to 100,000 tonnes of grain annually.
Historic and iconic Hotel Beverley has been put up for sale in WA Wheatbelt

Jan 15, 2025 | farmweekly.com.au | Mel Williams

In the 1930s, the well-renowned architect William Bennett - whose name is associated with many iconic Art Deco and inter-war buildings around Perth (such as the Raffles Hotel and Regal Theatre) - redesigned the Hotel Beverley's appearance to its current, charming form. Picture suppliedThe iconic Hotel Beverley, built in 1885 and originally called the Railway Hotel, has come up for sale.
Flight to small towns and the regions stoke underlying house price rises

Jan 13, 2025 | farmweekly.com.au | Mel Williams

Mark Hay Realty Group principal Mark Hay says people are seeking sunnier, freer, healthier and friendly climes. Picture suppliedThere are real estate 'sweet spots' emerging within a 1.5 hour radius from Perth and in the golden triangle of Margaret River, Bridgetown and Pemberton.
CSBP releases first market update for 2025 and calls for fertiliser orders

Jan 13, 2025 | farmweekly.com.au | Mel Williams

Grey Johnston, left, CSBP's sales and marketing manager, and Ben Sudlow, CSBP's sales strategy and reliability manager, return for the first installment of the CSBP Market update for 2025. Picture suppliedGrain producers are being advised to place their 2025 phosphate, urea, potash and other fertiliser orders sooner rather than later.
Narrogin's Morrie Russell wins commendation for historic railway diorama

Jan 13, 2025 | farmweekly.com.au | Mel Williams

Morrie Russell and his diorama that brings to life the integral role of railways in Narrogin's development and prosperity. Picture supplied. Narrogin local Morrie Russell spent three years meticulously building an intricate diorama, showcasing the town's rail heyday in the 1960s.
Wheat pangenome project to help growers adapt to climate change and disease

Jan 13, 2025 | farmweekly.com.au | Mel Williams

Rajeev Varshney, Murdoch University, with some lab members involved in the project. Picture suppliedAn international research collaboration being driven out of Western Australia, aims to deliver improved wheat varieties that can better cope with climate change and costly diseases.
Sheep to benefit from shade and shelter during critical joining period

Jan 11, 2025 | farmweekly.com.au | Mel Williams

Sheep at The University of Western Australia Ridgefield Farm with the GPS/accelerometry collars. Picture supplied by UWALeaving fleeces on sheep and providing some shade in paddocks during the summer and early autumn joining period may help to boost flock economic returns by increasing lamb conception rates.
Mixed farming property in the Shire of Boddington delights at price of $10m

Jan 10, 2025 | farmweekly.com.au | Mel Williams

A spectacular 897.93 hectare mixed farming property located just 50 kilometres from Harvey in the Shire of Boddington is on the market for $10 million. Picture suppliedRarely does such a unique property hit the market.