Agribusiness

One of Western Australia's most prominent fishing families will invest in tech company OpenDNA to provide marketing services and a Chinese mobile payment system to lure Chinese tourists.

Bellamy's shares have surged by more than 50 per cent after the infant formula maker announced it had entered into a $1.5 billion takeover scheme with the China Mengniu Dairy Company.

The competition watchdog says it has no reason to block Elders' proposed $187 million cash-and-scrip takeover of wholesale buyer Australian Independent Rural Retailers, which has 12 member stores in Western Australia.

Live animal exports will be policed by an independent inspector-general under legislation poised to pass federal parliament.

Farmers are upbeat in west and south of the country after a drop of winter rain, though confidence in the drought-affected eastern states continues to crumble.

Wellard's full-year loss has widened by 33 per cent to $48.4 million after the cattle exporter was hit by Turkey's halt on live feeder imports and large impairments.

Henderson-based electrical contractor EC&M has entered administration this morning, with about 400 staff to be temporarily stood down.

Heytesbury has been gazumped by a company from Luxembourg after it struck a deal to purchase Wellard’s M/V Ocean Swagman.

The live export industry is angry the ban on shipping sheep to the Middle East during the northern summer has been extended by one month, with the Nationals WA saying the sector was left "bereft of confidence".

Alex Ogg has been appointed chief executive of the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council Inc, after serving in the role on an interim basis since May.

Agrimin has awarded Primero Group the engineering design contract for the process plant component of its $545 million Mackay sulphate of potash project.

Elders has made a $187 million scrip and cash offer for unlisted private wholesale buying group Australian Independent Rural Retailers.

Malaga-based Jaylon Environmental Systems has secured a $15 million contract to supply and install evaporation pond liners for Kalium Lakes’ Beyondie sulphate of potash project.

Quintis subsidiary Arwon Finance has won a Supreme Court ruling against its former chief executive Frank Wilson requiring him to repay a $13.2 million loan taken out in 2014.

The former chief executive of the Potato Marketing Corporation and another senior public servant have been slammed by the Corruption and Crime Commission for a consulting arrangement where one allegedly used their position for enrichment at the state's expense.

Perth has notched another success amid international efforts to improve the health of the world's oceans, with Martin Exel chosen to lead a global movement supporting sustainable fisheries.

Kalium Lakes is a step closer to a final investment decision on its Beyondie sulphate of potash project, after it received a credit-approved offer from German KfW IPEX-Bank for around $102 million.

Kalium Lakes has awarded Shell Energy the gas supply contract, and APA Group the gas transport contract, for its Beyondie sulphate of potash project.

The state government has announced new regulations to help boost lamb exports, which hit a record $306 million in 2018.

The ACCC is examining whether a proposed takeover of Ruralco Holdings by a Canadian fertiliser giant could reduce wholesale competition and lead to discrimination against some independent retail stores.

Heavy rainfall over the past few days will be good news for WA’s farmers; however, most have already cut back their expected cropping area due to dry weather conditions in recent months.

The fishing industry says it is disappointed by the state government's backdown on a local lobster supply deal, with a planned international lobster festival to be one of the casualties.

SPECIAL REPORT: As land and population pressures drive the need for more productive farming, WA finds itself at the centre of a new mining race.

Bulk grains handler GrainCorp says it will not pay shareholders an interim dividend after it swung to a $59 million half-year loss following severe drought conditions and trade disruptions.

ORIX Australia has won a tender to become the outsourced fleet management and leasing provider for agribusiness giant CBH Group.

Revenue at agribusiness Heytesbury Holding dropped 14 per cent to be $47.7 million in the year to December, but sales income was steady.

Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s agricultural investment company, Harvest Road Group, has reported a big surge in annual profit to $7 million after a restructure combined the family’s expansive pastoral stations with their Harvey Beef business.

The state government will outlay $131.5 million of additional funds for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) in the upcoming budget.

CBH Group has awarded six of the nine contracts for its $150 million Network Strategy Expansion project, including four to local contractors WCP Civil and Georgiou Group.

A WA-based engineering company has built one of the first mobile abattoirs for processing premium meat, addressing farmer and animal welfare concerns by eliminating the need to transport animals.

Major WA agribusinesses plan new investments to create scale and efficiency, while smaller operators are cooperating to access new markets with niche products.

Local timber businesses have about $100 million of investments in planning as they hope to benefit from demand for environmentally friendly products.