Agribusiness

A listed company led by Forge Group founder Peter Hutchinson and former AFL footballer James Clement has announced its second acquisition this year, adding Craig Mostyn Group’s food services division to an earlier seafood deal.

Perth-based Indian sandalwood company TFS Corporation has completed its purchase of US-based pharmaceutical companies Viroxis Corporation and Santalis Pharmaceuticals.

A new leadership team has taken the helm at the Potato Marketing Corporation as the industry moves towards deregulation.

Mt Barker winery West Cape Howe Wines was named best value winery of the year at last night’s Halliday Wine Companion Awards.

Western Australia is leading national trials in the farming of quinoa, with the crop a potentially lucrative export in the future.

Perth-based medical cannabis company Phytotech Medical has completed its $20.7 million merger with Canada-based firm MMJ Bioscience and raised $4.8 million in an oversubscribed placement to sophisticated investors.

The Northern Territory and federal governments are fast-tracking what could be one of the world's largest prawn farms by granting major project status to the proposal being driven by a Perth-based company.

Australia’s $1.2 billion live cattle trade has gone from gloom to boom this month but, while welcoming the news, major players in the sector are keeping their celebrations in check as they evaluate recent events.

Western Australia risks falling behind its competitors in agriculture and could miss out on making the most of opportunities in Asia, according to panelists at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia discussion on the industry today.

Australia’s largest live cattle exporter, Wellard Group, has welcomed a new deal that will open up the China market but has cautioned about the likely boost, especially for cattle producers in northern Australia.

The development of the Ord River region in the state’s far north will be significantly affected by the tender process for 5,000 hectares of land released by the state government last week.

Indonesia’s decision to slash the import quota for Australian beef cattle to 50,000 for the third quarter has little to do with the tense relationship between the two countries.

Small and medium-sized businesses in regional areas might need to look to non-bank lending pathways to secure finance, particularly if they are lacking in assets, according to a report to be released today by the Regional Australia Institute.

Live cattle exporters in Australia face uncertainty after Indonesia, which accounts for 60 per cent of the $1.2 billion trade, flagged an 80 per cent cut in its imports.

Local aquaculture firm Seafarms Group has announced plans to raise up to $16.6 million, with major shareholders Ian Trahar and Paul Favretto committing to a large portion of the raising.

Sandalwood plantation operator TFS Corporation has reaffirmed its expectation of a net profit of at least $90 million for the 2014-15 financial year.

Bannister Downs Dairy Company managing director Sue Daubney has won the Industry Advocacy award at the 2015 Women in Industry Awards in Sydney.

New research from publication The Economist indicates China will be the world’s largest economy by 2026, with a forecast nominal GDP nearing $US30 trillion, and predicts the rise of Asian nations will drastically affect global politics.

Narembeen is typical of many small Wheatbelt towns confronting challenges with an array of business and community development initiatives.

The Wheatbelt region faces significant growth challenges, but it’s home to a surprising mix of old and new businesses. Click through to see more on our business in the Wheatbelt feature.

Forge Group founder Peter Hutchinson is planning to move into agribusiness, with ASX-listed Style announcing the $20 million acquisition of Nor-West Seafoods.

Australian rock star and face of a controversial Peta campaign against the wool industry, Jona Weinhofen, could be getting shearing lessons thanks to a successful crowdfunding project by WAFarmers.

Western Australian farmers are twice as likely as other states to hire new staff this year, according to a report released by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

Potato farmers are disappointed with the state government’s reported decision to abolish the industry regulator after the 2017 election, but have said they are willing to consider changes to eliminate some of the most controversial legislation governing their trade.

Western Australian farmers are projected to enjoy the highest rate of return in the nation, excluding capital appreciation, for 2014-15, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences.

State upper house member Rick Mazza has taken a leading role in the debate about the state’s potato bureaucracy, the Potato Marketing Corporation.

A Singaporean beef producer has bought the Pardoo Station in the Pilbara, including 5,800 head of cattle, with plans to increase the herd by 10,000 and develop further tourism facilities.

Four toxic cane toads have been found in a truck carrying sandalwood at a Perth freight depot.

The state’s agricultural industry will require almost $600 billion of investment by 2050 to improve productivity and rationalise production in a bid to access Asian markets, according to a new report released by KPMG for the state Department of Agriculture and Food.

A fall in pearl sizes has dragged down revenue for Atlas Pearls and Perfumes, with the company confirming a loss for the first half of the year flagged in a restructure last week.

CBH Group is set to invest $1.1 million in solar energy, commissioning Energy Made Clean to engineer and build power stations at three of its facilities across the state.

Western Australia's grain production could be valued at $10 billion annually by 2025, under a new strategy launched today by the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia.