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Dean Hubbard.

Beyond the saleyardsPremiumBeyond the Saleyards: From spot prices to forward certainty

The broader question is how transition investment can best build producer confidence and a competitive marketplace for the future, writes Dean Hubbard.

Dean Hubbard

Directors Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth made their film World Without Cows to engage people on the complexity of food production.

World Without CowsPremiumWorld Without Cows probes farming and sustainability

A documentary five years in the making will explore the role of cows in the modern world and the complexities that come with feeding a growing population while ensuring environmental sustainability. 

Bob Garnant

South Australian sheep classer Bill Walker, Challara Poll Merino Stud's Peter Wilkinson, and Elders stud stock agent Greg Wootton with the top-priced ram at the 2026 Challara Stud ram sale.

Rams for SalePremiumFierce bidding sets new average for Challara Poll Merino

This year’s Challara ram sale was awash with volume buyers and fierce bidding for an increased catalogue, setting a new record average for the Badgingarra stud.

Georgia Campion

A Chinese red meat delegation completes landmark WA industry tour.

mutual goalsPremiumWA red meat industry tour strengthens ties with China

WA’s red meat supply chain representatives, from producers to researchers, spent a week showcasing the world-class industry to their Chinese counterparts to deepen engagement between the two countries.

Melissa Pedelty

Kaiden Johnston of Merna, Elders Muchea agent Brad Jones, and Wannamal grain and sheep farmers Corey and Graham Taylor.

rams in demandPremiumMany missed out at Quairading’s recent ram sale

Sheep producers’ confidence was high at the mixed-breed combined ram sale in Quairading, with many unable to fill their quotas because of high demand.

Melissa Pedelty and Rebecca Nadge

Beermullah Beef co-principal Phil Barrett-Lennard.

Angus unificationPremiumWA Red Angus breeders welcome unification

WA Red Angus breeders have got behind the concept of a unified organisation that represents all Angus cattle and breeders across Australia.

Bob Garnant

Detectives from the rural crime team have charged a 63-year-old man with allegedly stealing sheep.

CrimePremiumMan, 63, accused of stealing sheep from neighbours

A 63-year-old man has been accused of stealing dozens of sheep from a neighbouring property in the Geraldton district.

Kate Campbell

Dr Bruno Martinez from MiniTube Australia emphasised the significance of heifer development from as early as two months old to ensure success during synchronisation protocols.

start youngPremiumAI program expert emphasises importance of doing it right

An artificial insemination expert is reminding WA cattle farmers that consistent nutrition from birth, low-stress handling and attention to detail are key to getting the most from AI programs.

Melissa Pedelty

Kojonup Agricultural Supplies' Nat Wedderburn and Matt Atkinson at the 2026 Newdegate Machinery Field Days.

Auto feederPremiumKojonup Ag Supplies now the WA agent for auto sheep feeder

A Great Southern agricultural supplier that has become the WA agent for an automatic sheep feeder says interest has been enormous since launching the product two weeks ago. 

Rebecca Nadge

Lamb supply tightens as weights lift to record highs.

Heavier carcase weightsPremiumRecord lamb carcase weights amid tight supply

WA lamb and mutton carcase weights processed at the WA Meat Marketing Co-operative have lifted during the 2025-26 financial year as sheep producers capitalise on growing demand.

Bob Garnant

Improving the resilience and productivity of sheep in low rainfall farming systems is the focus of a new national collaborative research project.

farmer-led researchPremiumNew project focuses on sheep in low-rainfall systems

WA will be home to 10 trial sites for a new farmer-led national collaborative research project which will focus on improving the resilience and productivity of sheep in low-rainfall systems.

Melissa Pedelty

Quillan Pritchard, Barfeeds, Sam Howie, Dyson Jones, winner Rob Newman, Newman Farms, event coordinator Bryce Sinclair and Grantly Mullan, MerinoWA, with the motorbike donated for the 2026 Helen McDonald Champion Ewe Hogget Shield.

Double winPremiumNewman Farms win champion fleece and ewe hogget at Newdegate

A family operation has claimed a double at this year’s Newdegate Machinery Field Days, winning two major sheep competitions at the annual event. 

Rebecca Nadge

DataGene is working on understanding whether the protein trend is the new normal and whether it should update its Balanced Performance Index accordingly.

protein over fat?PremiumProtein trend is making waves in the dairy genetics space

Dairy farmers are raising concerns that herd improvement and genetic gain indicators might not be targeting the correct trends, as consumer demand for protein continues to surge.

Melissa Pedelty

Charlotte Jensz and Allan Hobley, Wiringa Park, Nyabing, at the 2026 Newdegate Machinery Field Days.

Best displayPremiumWiringa Park claims Newdegate’s best studstock display award

A Nyabing operation has claimed the Best Studstock Display Award at the 2026 Newdegate Machinery Field Days. 

Rebecca Nadge

Jumbuck Plains woolgrowers Olivia Fowler and Stephen Fowler, of Esperance, with farmhand Baden Denhom.

Fowler’s Jumbuck PlainsPremiumThe Fowler family run sheep as mainstay at Esperance

A family-run mixed sheep and cropping farm outside of Esperance is enjoying a bumper season thanks to “magnificent” rainfall on coastal sandplain country.

Bob Garnant

Lewsidale's Ray Lewis, auctioneer Cam Petricevich, buyer Steve Fowler, Dyson Jones' Sam Howie, AWN's Greg Tilbrook, and Lewisdale's Cohen Matthews, John Bushby, Kai Taylor, 9, and Jordan Taylor, 11, with the top-priced ram Lewisdale 17.

Lewisdale ram salePremiumLewis Poll Merino sale records full clearance, $10,000 top

A father-son duo have secured 35 per cent of the Lewisdale Poll Merinos sale draft for their respective farming operations at Esperance.

Rebecca Nadge

ZELP Sense is a low-cost, easy-to-use system for continuously measuring methane emissions from individual cows.

new techPremiumUK company launches breakthrough livestock emissions device

A UK-based agricultural technology company has identified Australia as a priority market for its breakthrough wearable device for real-world livestock emissions measurement

Melissa Pedelty

Australia's rising red meat processing costs have sky rocketed by 58 per cent in the last 10 years.

Export competitivenessPremiumRed meat processing sky rocketing costs

A WA beef and sheepmeat processor claims a 58 per cent rise in the cost of processing red meat in the last 10 years has limited Australia’s export competitiveness.

Bob Garnant

Agora Livestock managing director Rob Kelly. Georgia Campion

Beyond the saleyardsPremiumBeyond the Saleyards: Store lamb market finding its balance

After a period where the market has been moving quickly, this week is a good opportunity to take a more measured look at where the lamb and sheep markets are sitting, writes Rob Kelly.

Rob Kelly

Nutrien Ag Solutions livestock business development manager Colby Ede with 2025 Livestock Export Young Achiever Jack Webb.

Achiever awrdPremiumNominationa open for young achiever award

Nominations are open for the 2026 Nutrien Ag Solutions Livestock Export Young Achiever of the Year award.

Bob Garnant

Fremantle Seaweed co-founders Mick Holland and Chris De Cuyper at North Coogee dog beach.

Emission reductionPremiumWA seaweed farmer now licensed

A WA seaweed farmer is one step closer to commercialising its feed supplement containing asparagopsis seaweed, with the WA feedlot sector to be the first customers.

Melissa Pedelty

Tony Collins, AWN, with Mia Schilling, Narrogin, Aiden Walker, Harvey, and Riley Hughes-Odgers, Cunderin, in the young judges competition at the Dowerin Machinery Field Days

YOUNG JUDGESPremiumYoung wool and sheep judges show their skills at Dowerin

There was plenty of talent on display in the ram shed at the Dowerin Machinery Field Days, with students from across WA putting their skills to the test in the young judges competition. 

Rebecca Nadge

At the 2025 Kohat White Suffolk ram sale was Nutrien stud stock agent Roy Addis, buyer Jye Duggan, of Ongerup, and Kohat stud co-principal Rivers Hyde, of Ongerup.

Ram selling seasonPremiumQuality genetics on offer in new season’s ram selections

WA’s ram selling season is expected to match quality genetics with renewed producer confidence towards the prospects of continued increased sheep and wool values. 

Bob Garnant

WA processed almost one in six sheep slaughtered in Australia over the past year.

lamb-tasticPremiumABS stats shows WA’s significant role in the supply chain

WA is playing a large role in Australia’s sheepmeat supply chain, processing almost one in six sheep slaughtered in Australia over the past year

Melissa Pedelty