THERE was a change of guard at this year's WAFarmers annual conference in Perth last Thursday and Friday.
WAFarmers farewelled immediate past president Dale Park, after he reached his maximum number of terms.
"On behalf of WAFarmers members and staff, and all those who had the opportunity to work with Dale during his presidency, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to him and recognise his outstanding commitment and dedication towards the federation," newly-elected president Tony York said.
He said some other structural changes were also made to strengthen the advocacy group.
Day one of the conference saw a new WAFarmers president and senior vice president elected, the appointment of regional board positions, the formation of a new Livestock Council and the re-election of individuals to positions on the Grain Section Council.
Lynette Slade was elected as senior vice president and two remaining positions for regional board members were filled by Rhys Turton and Kallum Blake.
Significantly, the Wool and Meat Councils were amalgamated to form the new Livestock Council.
The invigorated council will be headed by president John Wallace, senior vice president David Slade and vice president Steve McGuire.
"The establishment of the Livestock Council will see greater collaboration on meat and wool issues between the two former councils," Mr York said.
"It will streamline processes to ensure continued and enhanced representation on all livestock issues."
Duncan Young, Mic Fels and Kallum Blake retained their respective Grains Council positions of president, senior vice president and vice president.
On the afternoon of day one, attendees heard from interesting guest speakers including Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) managing director John Harvey, Department of Fire and Emergency Services commissioner Wayne Gregson and representatives from Main Roads.
Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA) general manager Ian Ashman outlined the impact of a 44 per cent decline in the number of wool bales tested during the past decade in WA, partially offset by a 24pc productivity gain in research and testing.
He also touched on AWTA's response to an Australian Wool Innovation sponsored review of wool selling which recommended AWTA and the Australian Wool Exchange be amalgamated.
Sheepmeat Council of Australia chief executive officer Mark Harvey-Sutton told the conference Australia was about to become the major supplier of lamb to the United States with 42pc of the market and a positive growth outlook for sheepmeat exports generally.
Mr Harvey-Sutton also played the controversial Australia Day lamb campaign advertisement starring SBS presenter Lee Lin Chin and "Lambassador" Sam Kekovich in which a bowl of kale salad is fried by a flamethrower.
It was well received by conference attendees.
Christine Pitt, Meat and Livestock Australia's general manager value chain innovation, also indicated a positive outlook for WA's beef cattle industry and Harvey Beef general manager Wayne Shaw outlined new freezer and packaging technology about to come online at its processing plant.
Day two looked at the future of WA's agricultural sector, with two discussion panels and a business-building workshop run by Beechworth Bakery's enthusiastic founder Tom O'Toole.
Mr York and Agriculture and Water Resources Assistant Minister Anne Ruston officially opened formalities, and assured attendees of the federal Government's commitment to supporting and developing the national agricultural sector.
"I am really confident that agriculture has a huge and bright future in this country," Ms Ruston said.
Durack MP Melissa Price also attended.
Looking from a youth perspective, Focus Fisheries client manager Phil Clark, 2015 Youth Ag Summit delegate Laura Grubb and Precision SoilTech technical manager Wes Lefroy opened the day's discussions on "Information, Innovation and Inspiration", highlighting the need for youth in the sector to capitalise on more opportunities.
Minderoo Group managing director Andrew Forrest and Mareterram managing director David Lock led the discussions for the second panel, looking at the future of agribusiness and the importance of knowing what the customer wants and delivering that.
Delivering what customers want was also one of the messages from the final speaker at the conference Mr O'Toole, who ran a business-building workshop.
Mr O'Toole, who ran a bakery in Augusta in the South West for six years before moving to Victoria and buying a run down shop in Beechworth, explained there were no "secret herbs and spices" in his products or his business success.
His Beechworth Bakery business, the largest independent bakery chain in Australia, was built over 32 years on principles of setting goals, prioritising, involving suppliers and staff in the business and providing what customers wanted.
He invited farmers to think outside the box when it came to customer service, marketing and their business culture.
Mr York said the conference was "bigger and better than ever before", and was a reflection of things to come within the sector.
"The State's agricultural sector is dynamic and exciting as it responds to ever-increasing demand for quality products and services on State, national and international levels," he said.
"By delivering the latest agricultural information and showcasing innovative methods in farming, we hope we have inspired farmers and stakeholders alike to think outside the box and recognise opportunities for agricultural diversity."
