Western Australia Country Hour

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. 

Peak industry body Vegetables WA says the war in the Middle East could have critical consequences for the state's carrot export industry with some companies forced out of business.

The war in the Middle East has pushed up the price of farm chemicals.

One of the biggest grain growers in the state is considering cutting his seeding program by as much as 50 per cent, following ongoing concerns about supplies of fuel and in particular fertiliser.

The author of the GIWA crop report says any delays in getting fuel supplies to the grains sector this season will have a significant impact on the state economy.

Today you'll hear from some farmers who are wondering why the onus seems to be on them to solve the problem of stray untagged cattle wandering onto their property.

The state government has developed a seven point plan to address growing concerns about our fuel security.  

The federal chemical regulator is recommending much tighter controls on some rat poisons over concerns about their impact on wildlife.

David Littleproud has announced he is going to resign as leader of the National party.

This season's winner of the Muster Dogs competition is West Australian Courtney Moir. 

Narrogin local Casey Jacobs is looking to continue his photographic work after his debut photography exhibition in the Great Southern.

WA's largest dairy farmer has decided to go off-grid to power his irrigation system.

The Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell says his key focus is ensuring trade can continue despite war in the Middle East. 

WA's biggest sheep and lamb co-operative WAMMCO has stopped all exports of chilled and frozen meat products into the Middle East, as the war in the region continues to intensify.

A typical day at the beach doesn't usually include seeing a Brahman bull cool-off in the waves, but that's exactly what you get at Nanarup Beach in the south of Western Australia.

Australia's horticulture industry has reached its highest production value on record with total output climbing to $18.4.

On the same day the state agriculture minister announced $20 million in Supply Chain Capacity Program grants for producers and processors, a WA abattoir announced it was temporarily closing its doors, due to ongoing livestock shortages.

Primary producers in the Esperance region say they are fighting an influx of wild pigs.

There is a lot of uncertainty over when the east-west rail line might be operational.

Micro-abattoir gives Kimberley cattle producer 'alternative' when markets get tough.

Grain Producers Australia hasn't given up on its plans to reduce grower levies paid to the GRDC, despite the proposal being knocked back by federal agriculture minister Julie Collins.

Farmers in Western Australia's Midwest are calling on the Australian Defence Force to remove, or clarify the risk from, potential unexploded military ordnance from as far back as World War II.    

A WA marine biologist says she doesn't think temporary fishing closures in several select areas delivers results.