Stations
Cattlemen sue Commonwealth over live exports ban
Northern cattle industry members have launched a class action against the government for suspending live exports to Indonesia.
They filed the case in the Federal Court on Monday.
In 2011 the Gillard government’s agriculture minister Joe Ludwig abruptly banned live cattle exports due to animal cruelty concerns.
The Australian [read this story]
Cattle prices up as sales fall off
West Kimberley pastoralists say cattle prices remain strong as the wet season approaches.
Farm Weekly [read this story]
PGA lawyer to brief stations on new leases
The PGA urges its members to attend a briefing in Broome next month.
The organisation’s solicitor will answer questions and note concerns about the forthcoming new pastoral lease.
Division president Peter Camp said the solicitor will go through the document, line by line, to explain it to the meeting.
Farm Weekly [read this story]
Halls Creek: More gold found
Drillers have found more high-grade gold ore at Nicholson gold project, south of Halls Creek.
Nicholson’s gold project is at Lamboo station.
Proactive Investors [read this st0ry]
Springvale: Chopper pilot killed
A helicopter pilot was found dead and his chopper burned at 7:30 this morning.
A search started when the 34-year-old failed to return to Springvale Station at 6:00pm last night.
PerthNow [read this story]
Rinehart buying stations
Gina Rinhart’s company Hancock Prospecting is buying half shares in Liveringa and Nerrima stations.
The deal is part of a joint venture with the Laitt family, which owns the Milne AgriGroup.
They have formed a company, Liveringa Station Beef, which has also bought the old Clover Meats abattoir at Waroona south of Perth.
The West Australian [read this story]
Government plan to open up more irrigated land
The state government plans to allow businesses to invest in irrigation projects on pastoral leases under certain circumstances.
This is expected to open up more unallocated crown land for cattle production.
The West Australian [read this story]
More on China and Aboriginal pastoral companies
On an ABC Lateline program Ginny Stein explores the new relationship between Aboriginal-owned stations and Chinese business.
Interview grabs with John Watson, Robert Watson, Anthony Watson, Wayne Bergman.