WAFarmers livestock council member Rebecca May, WAFarmers communications and policy officer Sinead Burke and TW Pearson & Son livestock and export compliance officer Jessica Hartley. Credit: Countryman
A change of venue for this year’s WAFarmers Annual Forum proved a hit with the 150-plus crowd that gathered at Muresk Institute for two days last week.
The conference, held on Thursday and Friday, brought together farming and regional leaders to take stock of progress towards the shared goal of reaching $100 billion in farm-gate output by 2030.
For the first time in recent years the conference was held in regional WA, with many of the attendees staying at Muresk Institute overnight.
Premier Mark McGowan opened the forum, while WA Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan outlined what the State Government was doing to support WA’s biggest economic sector.
Keynote speakers spoke about the National Farmers Federation’s 2030 Roadmap to achieving a $100b primary industries sector and included experts from across the country.
The theme was Invest, Innovate and Inspire, which WAFarmers chief executive Trevor Whittington said was fitting given the “huge opportunities within the future prospects of agriculture and food”.
“WAFarmers was glad to see the State Government engage our key stakeholders and other industry officials at the event,” Mr Whittington said.
The event included a dinner and presentations at the Muresk Institute dining hall on Thursday night.
DPIRD manager Kerrine Blenkinsop and State Government policy advisor Darcey Duncan. Credit: CountrymanCBH director and Mukinbudin farmer John O'Neil and NAB regional WA state business bank executive Jeff Pontifex. Credit: CountrymanNewdegate farmers Jeanette and Trevor De Landgrafft. Credit: Countryman
Nutrien Water sales manager Liam Keaveney, Dumbleyung farmer Davina Gossage, Nutrien WAter engineering general manager Brad Cuss, and Nannup Fresh Fruit crew leader James Scott. Credit: CountrymanCredit: CountrymanGoomalling farmer Daniel Dempster and KG Livestock owner Kelly Gorter. Credit: CountrymanMV Events owner Mimi Sheppard with her son Olin Jordan, 3. Credit: CountrymanWAFarmers policy, advocacy and engagement executive manager Jessica Wallace and TW Pearson and Son operations manager and WA Lot Feeders Association vice president Lucy Morris. Credit: CountrymanNortham farmer Vern Dempster and York farmer Duncan Young. Credit: CountrymanCoopers Allflex WA territory sales manager Brad Hickman, Coopers Allflex WA regional sales supervisor Paul Bloom, and Nutrien Ag Solutions Northam merchandise sales staffer Clancy Thompson. Credit: CountrymanRuralBiz Training student Chanel Bowey, Curtin University student Cameron Pfitzner, RuralBuz Student Luke Pfitzner, and RuralBiz student Ebony Barnes. Credit: Countryman
Nutrien Ag Solutions work experience student Emily Hyde and Nutrien Ag Solutions animal production technical services advisor Bridie Luers. Credit: CountrymanCBH director and Mukinbudin farmer Jeff Seaby, GrainGrowers grower engagement officer Alan Meldrum and DPIRD project officer Kayla Evans. Credit: CountrymanWAFarmers dairy section president Michael Partridge with his son and Curtin University student Harrison Partridge. Credit: CountrymanSafe Farms WA chair Tracey Utley and executive officer Maree Gooch. Credit: Countryman