Agribusiness

Newly-listed Wide Open Agriculture has signed a management agreement with a Netherlands-based investor and a group of Western Australian farmers in relation to a $4.3 million property in the Wheatbelt.

Former chief executive of Craig Mostyn Group David Lock has been appointed independent director of the CBH Group board, replacing current member David Willis.

Canada-based forest products company Mercer International has confirmed it will acquire privately owned Indian sandalwood producer Santanol for an unspecified sum.

A trio of young female researchers is at the forefront of efforts to improve WA’s grains industry.

Kerry Stokes looks set to accept a takeover offer for one of his agribusiness investments after private equity groups launched a friendly takeover bid for Australia's biggest honey producer, ASX-listed Capilano Honey.

Farmers could be set for a near record grain harvest of 15.5 million tonnes this season in Western Australia, according to the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia.

Sustainable growth based on realistic projections and outcomes can help business avoid the pitfalls some in the timber and wine sectors have experienced.

Geraldton-based LogicIT has been awarded $1 million worth of state government grants to provide broadband coverage to farmers in the Mid West region.

Livestock exporter Wellard has appointed current chairman John Klepec as interim executive chairman, after executive director of operations Fred Troncone resigned.

Minderoo Foundation has today announced a $100 million research initiative designed to study and protect global marine life and its chairman Andrew Forrest has used the occasion to attack the federal government’s new marine parks plan.

Sheep meat producer WAMMCO has received a $5 million loan for upgrades at its Katanning processing plant as part of the state government’s cooperative loan scheme.

The federal government has suspended the licence of a subsidiary of embattled live exporter Emanuel Exports, after the sister company sought to ship 60,000 sheep left stranded following the initial suspension.

The live export company behind the disastrous Awassi Express shipment is trying to use an associated company to send another load of sheep to the Middle East while its own export licence is suspended.

Williams-based Wide Open Agriculture has begun trading on the ASX today after the company raised $5 million via an initial public offer.

Joondalup-based medicinal cannabis hopeful AusCann Holdings has secured $33.4 million from local and North American institutions, with NYSE-listed marijuana play Canopy Growth Corporation upping its stake to 11.2 per cent.

Three local companies have secured work across the state, with Kerman Contracting, Adco Constructions and WestStar Industrial all announcing recent contract wins.

A University of New South Wales study has called for caution about the potential benefits of medicinal cannabis to relieve pain, but a Western Australian hopeful in the sector is still confident for the future of the industry.

Margaret River winery Vasse Felix is set to acquire the principal assets of Watershed Premium Wines, under a $20 million deal that allows Watershed’s cellar door and restaurant to continue operating under a two-year lease agreement.

The Perth-based company behind the disastrous Awassi Express sheep shipment to the Middle East has had its live export licence suspended by the federal government.

Subiaco-based Eve Investments has purchased tea tree oil business Jenbrook in cash and scrip for about $3.4 million.

Businesses and farmers see a bright future for the hemp industry in WA following recent legislative changes, but the fledging sector needs support.

The corporate watchdog has launched legal action in the Federal Court against former Quintis managing director Frank Wilson, alleging he failed to disclose the loss of a major contract in 2017.

Recent rainfall experienced across the state has lifted the outlook of Western Australian farmers, following one of the hottest and driest autumns on record.

Several major agricultural irrigation projects are moving forward in the state’s north, with Pardoo Beef Corporation and Argyle Cattle Company among the proponents.

The creditors of sandalwood company Quintis, led by US group Blackrock, have proposed injecting $175 million to take control of the business, in a deal that is likely to leave shareholders with no return.

An animal welfare group has been granted access to Fremantle harbour to observe livestock loading in a move that has been criticized by industry groups.

A project to irrigate and run cattle on 650 hectares of pastoral land south of Broome has become the second such plan recommended for approval by the Environmental Protection Authority this year.

A new class action has been launched today against embattled sandalwood producer Quintis, along with its former managing director Frank Wilson and the company’s auditor EY.

Tempo Australia has been awarded a $6 million contract with CBH Group to upgrade its grain handling facilities across Western Australia.

Brownes Dairy is chasing extra supplies for its expanded cheese factory in the state’s South West and is believed to have approached the Lactanz cooperative and two farmers who were told last year their milk wasn’t needed.

Australian businesses can be confident that strong personal relationships with their partners in China can help overcome any short-term problems between the governments of the two countries, according to two local business executives with close ties to the Asian powerhouse.

The federal government has endorsed changes to the livestock export industry designed to improve animal welfare but the WA government says it may still try to ban live sheep exports to the Middle East during the northern hemisphere summer.