Agribusiness

A period of strong cattle prices has boosted Western Australia’s largest pastoral companies, with the state’s four biggest cattle-focused plays increasing revenue about 9 per cent to $1 billion in their most recent annual reports.

The 12-year old scandal over the Australian Wheat Board’s payments to the government of Iraq has moved closer to final resolution, with its former chairman Trevor Flugge convicted today of breaching his duties as a director but cleared of more serious charges concerning his knowledge of the payments.

CBH Group will remain a non-distributing cooperative for the foreseeable future after a majority of its 4,100 members said they wanted to retain the current structure.

After originally blocking the sale of land and cattle empire S Kidman & Co to Chinese buyers, Treasurer Scott Morrison has approved a joint bid with mining magnate Gina Rinehart and her Chinese partners.

Higher revenue from an improved woodchip market and a lower dollar has boosted profits at Albany Plantation Export Company, WA Plantation Resources and Bunbury Fibre Exports.

Graincorp's biggest shareholder, Archer Daniels Midland, has sold its 19.9 per cent stake in the Australian grain merchant for about $387 million, three years after its failed $3.4 billion takeover bid.

A Singaporean businessman plans to advance the potential of WA’s $7 billion-plus agriculture export market.

A particularly stressful week for farmers has come to a relieving end with the Greens today supporting the federal government’s proposed 15 per cent backpacker tax after voting against it yesterday.

The federal government’s plan for a 15 per cent rate backpacker tax has been knocked down in the Senate, with the state’s farming body left furious and desperate for a solution.

Shareholders in agribusiness Wellard have strongly rejected four resolutions at the company's annual meeting, though their anger over the company's poor performance was not enough for the nominee of a dissident shareholder to get elected to the board.

The state’s agricultural body has welcomed the Commonwealth’s decision to reduce its planned backpacker tax to 15 per cent, less than half than what was originally proposed.

Augusta seafood group Ocean Grown Abalone’s $5 million fund raising campaign is progressing under the stewardship of adviser View Street Partners, with the launch of its official offer document as

Perth company OTOC has joined TFS Corporation in receiving shareholder approval for a name change and rebranding, which both companies say will more accurately reflect their business models.

Dairy producer Brownes has become the first local company to manufacture yoghurt pouches as part of an ambitious plan to usurp Yoplait as Western Australia’s highest selling yoghurt maker.

Agribusiness Elders' full-year net profit has lifted 35 per cent to $51.6 million with higher retail sales and a strong performance in its strong livestock agency business.

Former federal trade and investment minister Andrew Robb has joined Perth-based aquaculture firm Seafarms Group as it progresses its $1.45 billion Sea Dragon prawn project in the Northern Territory.

Wellad’s third-largest shareholder says it plans to vote against the live cattle exporter’s remuneration report and has asked shareholders to back the appointment of one of its representatives to the board.

Failed fertiliser supplier Superfert Dongbu has gone into liquidation, 18 months after it had been put into voluntary administration.

The all-Australian consortium competing for the Kidman cattle empire has withdrawn its bid, after the target's board unanimously recommended Hancock Group-Shanghai CRED's revised $386.5 million offer yesterday.

Gina Rinehart and Shanghai CRED’s joint venture has proposed a counter-bid to that of the all-Australian consortium competing for the Kidman cattle empire, and says Hancock Prospecting would wholly acquire the target if foreign investment approvals aren't awarded.

Fruit and vegetable growers have told the competition watchdog they are reluctant to report complaints against the major supermarkets and wholesalers because they fear retribution.

Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting has announced a $US300 million ($A395 million) investment in a UK-based fertiliser business chaired by former Fortescue Metals Group deputy CEO Russell Scrimshaw.

Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, will attempt to persuade the Kidman cattle empire that her offer is still superior, despite being trumped over the weekend by an all-Australian consortium that made a higher bid.

Investment in South-East Asia’s grain supply chain will be one way for Western Australian growers to avoid losing market share amid growing demand for wheat in the region, according to the head of

ANALYSIS: Andrew Forrest and Gina Rinehart, who are leading the herd into cattle farming, face a tough market for meat exports.

Grain handling cooperative CBH Group has opened itself up to increased competition in the provision of grain transport services, following a review by the competition watchdog.

The state government has announced a new $8.1 million branding campaign to promote local agrifood producers to overseas buyers.

Australia's largest chicken company Ingham's Group is set to list on the share market with a value of up to $1.5 billion.

Working on trading relationships has benefited two nominees in the upcoming state exporter awards, while recently negotiated trade agreements will also boost business.

The federal government has promised an "arms-length" decision on Gina Rinehart and Shanghai CRED’s joint $365 million bid for cattle empire S. Kidman & Co, which will still require foreign investment approval.

A new $3 million premium food centre that will help regional agricultural and food businesses find new markets was officially opened in Manjimup today.

Milk processors have agreed to develop a code of conduct with dairy farmers aimed at preventing controversial farmgate price cuts.