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Basil Zempilas’ ascension to the leadership of the WA Liberals is days away after Libby Mettam was forced out of the top role on Thursday in the wake of the party’s crushing State election defeat.

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updated
state politics CommentsPremium
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Mettam resigns as Basil looks to step up as Liberal leader

Libby Mettam has stepped down as Liberal leader in the wake of the party’s disastrous State election defeat, clearing the way for Basil Zempilas.

Jessica Page and Dylan Caporn

Kylagh Feedlot's owner and general manager Ivan Rogers.

Better Beef 2025 PremiumBetter Beef 2025: Ivan Rogers now a WALFA life member

He’s a legend of the industry best-known for producing high-quality beef and now Tammin farmer Ivan Rogers has been awarded a life membership to the WA Lot Feeders Association

Cally Dupe

University of New England professor Fran Cowley.

Better Beef 2025PremiumBetter Beef: Feedlots ‘low-hanging fruit’ to cut methane

Beef feedlotting has been labelled the ‘low-hanging fruit’ for agricultural emissions reduction despite accounting for about one per cent of all livestock methane emissions.

Cally Dupe

South Australian pastoralist Gillian Fennell.

SuccessionPremiumBetter Beef 2025: Succession planning like ‘sex, politics’

Succession planning is like sex and politics, we just don’t want to talk about it. 

Cally Dupe

Center for Food Integrity chief executive Charlie Arnot.

Better Beef 2025PremiumBetter Beef 2025: Market access driven by animal welfare

Market access and demand for Australian beef is increasingly being driven by animal welfare and food safety as consumers grow “more and more comfortable” with importing their food. 

Cally Dupe

Sam Elsom.

AgricultureCommentsSea Forest founder’s emissions mission in a decisive decade

With five years left of Earth’s ‘decisive decade’, Sam Elsom speaks about the headwinds and heartbreak of finding solutions in a world often indifferent to what he sees as the most pressing issue for us all.

Simone Grogan

Premier Roger Cook addresses the newly elected WA Labor Caucus at Parliament House on Tuesday.

State GovernmentPremiumBunbury MLA to take on newly minted ministerial role

Re-elected Bunbury MLA Don Punch has lost the coveted regional development portfolio in the WA Labor Government’s Cabinet reshuffle but will now serve as the newly created Minister for the South West.

Ezra Kaye

Collie Vet Jai Thomas has been awarded second in DPIRD’s Young Professionals in Agriculture Forum’s Noel Fitzpatrick medal for his ongoing research with cattle.

Young Professional of the yearSouth West vet’s research recognised and awarded

Collie Vet Jai Thomas has come runner-up in DPIRD’s Young Professionals in Agriculture Forum’s Noel Fitzpatrick medal for his research into cattle. 

Craig Duncan

Police are asking for the public’s help after a pedestrian was fatally hit by a truck while trying to cross Great Eastern Highway on Tuesday afternoon. 

WA NewsPedestrian killed in truck crash revealed as 38-year-old man

Police are asking for the public’s help after a pedestrian was fatally hit by a truck while trying to cross Great Eastern Highway on Tuesday afternoon. 

Caleb Runciman

Horsham grains farmer David Jochinke.

MENTAL HEALTHPremiumCall for immediate $50m mental health investment

A coalition of rural organisations has called for immediate action to address the mental health crisis in agriculture, with one Australian farmer dying by suicide every 10 days. 

Cally Dupe

Curtin MP Kate Chaney is under pressure to make her stance on the live export ban clear to WA farmers, who are threatening to wage war against her. 

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Federal PoliticsCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Chaney faces live export ultimatum from Keep the Sheep

Curtin MP Kate Chaney is under pressure to make her stance on the live export ban clear to WA farmers, who are threatening to wage war against her. 

Caitlyn Rintoul

Elders chief executive Mark Allison.

BIG MERGERPremiumElders’ farm retail takeover bid delayed by the ACCC

A decision on whether agribusiness juggernaut Elders will be allowed to buy out rival Delta Ag for $475 million has been postponed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. 

Cally Dupe

ICPA WA treasurer Jasmine Carmody, State president Jane Cunningham and Secretary Kim Ross at the 2024 conference.

STATE CONFERENCE PremiumICPA unveils plans for 53rd conference

Telecommunications and regional school bus services will be major talking points when parents of some of the most geographically-isolated children in the State come together in Perth for an annual conference. 

Cally Dupe

The City of Albany is calling for a natural disaster to be declared after Albany and much of the Great Southern endured record rainfall and flash flooding on March 13 and 14.

support neededPremiumCity of Albany says floods call for natural disaster title

The City of Albany has called for a natural disaster to be declared after last Thursday’s record-breaking rainfall left much of Albany and the Great Southern with floods and water damage.

Jacki Elezovich

Agora livestock values.

BEYOND THE SALEYARDSPremiumBeyond the Saleyards: WA sheep and lamb values restrained

WA sheep and heavier lamb prices have been enduring a bit of pressure this week due to the limited capacity in the local market. 

Bob Garnant

With the White Suffolk Grand Champion is Elders stud stock specialist Lauren Rayner, judge Joel Donnan, and Kalagan stud principal Josh Addis.

Wagin WooloramaPremiumWagin Woolorama: Kalagan wins White Suffolk Grand Champion

White Suffolk breeders had plenty to celebrate in the British and Australasian Sheep Breeds Competition this year, but none more so than Kalagan stud principal Josh Addis, of Denmark.   

Cally Dupe

With the Wagin Woolorama British and Australasian Breeds Poll Dorset Grand Champion is Elders stud stock representative Michael O'Neil, judge Grant Bingham, and Shirlee Downs co-principal Chris Squiers.

Wagin WooloramaPremiumWagin Woolorama: Shirlee Downs sweeps Poll Dorset field

Competition was fierce in the Poll Dorset judging at this year’s Wagin Woolorama, but it was a ram from Quairading’s Shirlee Downs that proved too good to ignore.  

Cally Dupe

With the Wagin Woolorama British and Australasian Breeds Interbreed supreme champion ewe are Sasimwa Suffolk Stud representative Kadee Taylor, co-principals Glenn and Kay Cole, and representative Madison Taylor.

WAGIN WOOLORAMAPremiumWagin Woolorama: Sasimwa Suffolk scoops interbreed

It was a family affair when Sasimwa Suffolk Stud took out the Wagin Woolorama’s top interbreed sheep contest with a “stand-out” ewe. 

Cally Dupe

With the $11,000 top priced bull, Bullock Hills Versatile V57, was Bullock Hills stud co-principal Brad Patterson, of Katanning, Zoetis agent Jarvis Polglaze, Nutrien Livestock auctioneer Austin Gerhardy, Elders Bunbury branch manager Michael Longford, Elders South West livestock manager Michael Carroll, buyer Kane Wetherell, of Bandeeka Blacks in Boyanup, and Nutrien Livestock agent Ben Cooper.

Bullock Hills SalePremiumBullock Hills Black Simmental bull tops at $11,000

A Katanning-bred Black Simmental bull sold to the top price of $11,000 at the Patterson family’s Bullock Hills 3rd Annual Sale at Boyanup.

Bob Garnant

Gina Rinehart

TradePremiumRinehart calls for less red tape, Paris Accord exit

Mining billionaire Gina Rinehart says payroll tax and licence fees should be scrapped to protect small businesses and farmers, as trade tensions rise under President Donald Trump.

AWI’s study shows wool is superior to other fibres for its odour resistance.

WOOLLY GOOD RESULTPremiumIt’s official: Wearing wool saves you money

A new research study has hammered home the long-held beliefs that wool is more odour resistant and saves consumers money by needing less washing compared to synthetic fibres. 

Cally Dupe

GEN Government press conference at Parliament House. Premier Roger Cook announces new cabinet memebers. Roger Cook and Meredith Hammat.

state politicsPremiumLabor’s new regional portfolios slammed as ‘tokenistic’

Regional WA will be represented by nine separate ministers around the Cabinet table, as Roger Cook restored a Gallop-era measure in the wake of strong swings against Labor in the bush. 

Dylan Caporn

A photo of a solar farm in the Wheatbelt town of Merredin.

EnergyPremiumWave of green energy cash looms for Narrogin

The Wheatbelt town of Narrogin is set for a green energy investment wave as two new projects worth a combined $800 million head for development review.

Matt Mckenzie

WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis.

CABINET RESHUFFLEPremiumJackie Jarvis retains ag portfolio in Cabinet reshuffle

Margaret River winemaker Jackie Jarvis has retained the agriculture portfolio in seismic cabinet reshuffle that has included creating new ministers for each of the State’s regional areas. 

Cally Dupe and Dylan Caporn