Western Australia Country Hour

After receiving some very generous donations, the charity group Farmers Across Borders is back on the road and about to deliver some much needed hay to pastoralists across the Gascoyne and Murchison.

On World Bee Day, a moment to acknowledge their incredible work and the many threats they face.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has ordered another six companies to divest their holdings in Northern Minerals as concerns grow in Canberra that Chinese-backed investors are trying to seize control of the rare earths mining company.

Australia's chemical regulator, the APVMA, has conditionally approved an emergency permit for double-strength mouse baits to be manufactured and used on grain paddocks. 

The Federal Court has dismissed the northern cattle industry's appeal on the scale of losses incurred following the 2011 live export ban to Indonesia.

The state's Legislative Council has backed calls for the state government to investigate removing dingoes' classification as pests under WA biosecurity laws.

What's in last night's federal budget for me? 

The Federal Court will today decide how much native title holders in the Pilbara will be compensated for mining without consent on their land. 

The Premier has confirmed DWER, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, is investigating the iron ore dust concerns raised at the Port of Geraldton.

WA grain growers have been working around the clock to plant this season's crop, which will be the earliest start and finish to planting on record.

The president of a Mid West shire says it's vital farmers are given access to stronger mouse baits this season to stem what she's calling a "mouse plague".

A key case begins in the High Court today that will decide who owns footage illegally obtained in an abattoir in north east Victoria. 

A new 'Women in Whaling'  exhibition has been unveiled at the Great Southern Museum in Albany.

Despite strong opposition, a controversial $500 million wind farm proposed for the South West has been given the green light.

Growers are asking questions about the assistance on offer from the state government to help Carnarvon growers who've experienced four severe weather events since the start of the year.

Peak industry body Vegetables WA says the carrot industry has found a new pathway to Middle East markets, ensuring export volumes remain almost the same as they were prior to the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.

An energy finance analyst says Australia needs to increase its national fuel stockpile and start looking at measures to electrify industry to reduce diesel demand.

Carnarvon farmers are wondering what sort of disaster has to occur before the current state and federal governments offer genuine assistance.

Gas producers Woodside, Chevron and Santos are giving evidence at a Senate inquiry in Perth, into how Australia's gas resources are taxed.

Grain growers, concerned about a mouse plague this season, can't believe the national chemical regulator is ignoring CSIRO research that shows stronger baits are required to control a plague.

One of Western Australia's two remaining coal mines is set to cut jobs and production, citing slowing demand for coal-fired power as a key factor.

Since he was a teenager, Indonesian fisherman Dora Hamidung has been venturing into Australian waters to illegally catch sharks and sea cucumbers. 

The world's biggest livestock export ship sailed out of Darwin on the weekend, with more than 17,000 head of cattle bound for Indonesia.

This year's grain season is unlikely to break any harvest records as growers adjust their seeding programs to accommodate for concerns around the supply and cost of fuel and fertiliser.

WA winemakers are calling on the state government to pause the extension of the Containers for Change program, warning it could drive up costs for both producers and wine drinkers. 

State agriculture minister Jackie Jarvis has met with WA fertiliser companies to discuss current and future supply concerns for the farm sector, as the conflict in the Middle East continues.

The WA Government says four-million litres of diesel will be delivered to the state within weeks as part of a strategic stockpile to address localised fuel shortages.

The agriculture and mining sectors support a proposal for Western Australia to have its own diesel stockpile, separate to the national fuel reserve.

Elders says the catalyst for its decision to sell all of its Western Australian wool in Melbourne was the federal government's decision to end the live sheep trade by sea, which has had a significant impact on the state's wool industry and wool production.

Elders has decided that from July 2027 all of its WA wool will be received, processed and sold through its Melbourne facilities.

The state energy minister says on top of the scheduled vessels of diesel on their way to WA, an order for an additional shipment of fuel has now been placed, which ensures WA's fuel supplies for April and into May.

Some Western Australian biosecurity groups are worried the state government will not keep paying for doggers to keep wild dogs under control. 

The WA government has released its draft Fitzroy-Derby water management plan for public consultation. Today you'll hear what pastoralists and an environmental group think of it.

Geraldton based seafood retailer Brolos Fresh has sourced fish for Easter from as far away as New Zealand this year, following the state government's ban on demersal fishing.

Urgent action is needed to reduce the number of mice in the state's agricultural regions.

Ben Dorrel from Mia MIa station in the Gascoyne was able to get into a helicopter to see the extent of potential losses from the flood waters and said he was relieved to see cattle he thought had been lost.

The Weather Bureau says there has been a slight shift in the strength of the cyclone, with the system now tracking at a strong category three. 

Pastoralists along the Pilbara and Gascoyne coastlines are bracing for cyclone Narelle, with many hoping the system will bring a decent drop of much needed rain.

After almost a decade of negotiations, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed Australia has struck a free trade agreement with the European Union. 

Elders Wool says it's exploring alternative options for the handling and sale of WA wool.

An agricultural security company says more people are starting to worry about fuel theft as prices continue to rise.