Agribusiness

Grain handling cooperative CBH Group has more than doubled its operating surplus to $247 million in the year to September 2017 on the back of a big harvest, with grower rebates of $156 million.

Troubled sandalwood producer Quintis says its board intends to advise shareholders to vote against a series of resolutions to spill the board, while also announcing a one week extension on its forbearance agreement.

Quintis chairman Dalton Gooding has come under fire from company founder and former chief executive Frank Wilson and other shareholders at a heated annual meeting today.

Industry stakeholders are concerned about the level of port market share held by grain handler CBH Group, while entry for new players like Bunge has been challenging, according to a new Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report.

A new accelerator program for startups in the agribusiness sector will get under way next year after securing funding from the state government’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Western Australian avocado farmer Jennifer Franceschi has won a category in the national Telstra Businesswoman of the year awards, although News South Wales-based refugee advocate Violet Roumeliotis took out the top prize.

The private investors in sandalwood business Santanol Group, led by Tony Jack and Bob Bunning, have gained backing from litigation funder IMF Bentham for their fight against private equity group KKR.

Cuts to Chinese production and inaction by some big mining companies could present an opportunity for WA resources players.

A Cottesloe-based agribusiness is hoping to improve operational productivity by increasing its use of data across the life cycle of its livestock and in its supply chain management.