Beef cattle

The Western Australian beef herd consists of approximately two million head, half of which free range on extensive pastoral stations in the northern rangelands while the remainder roam the lush pastures of the agricultural region of the south and south-west of the state.

In 2011/12 the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated the gross value of beef production in WA at $517 million. The state exported some 220 000 live cattle valued at $154 million in addition to 99 000 tonnes of boxed beef products worth $68 million in 2012.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's current focus is on new and diversified market opportunities for WA live cattle exports and beef products. The department provides support to develop enduring supply chain relationships through effective communication, business model change and market development.

Articles

Great Southern Cattle Surveillance Network

17 September 2018

Cattle producers in the shires of Albany, Denmark and Plantagenet in Western Australia now have the opportunity to join a new pilot surveillance network for cattle health that uses a simple SMS sys
Diarrhoea in adult cattle

22 May 2018

There are a variety of possible causes of diarrhoea in adult cattle and they are often different to the common causes of diarrhoea, or scours, in calves.
Border controls for Johne's disease susceptible stock entering Western Australia from 1 July 2017

16 June 2017

The border controls outlined below for Johne’s disease (JD) susceptible stock entering Western Australia were implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (now the Depar
Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) and what it means for WA producers

18 May 2017

This web page provides a summary of the key points about how the Johne's Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) applies to Western Australian cattle producers.
Bovine anaemia due to Theileria orientalis group (BATOG) surveillance program

10 March 2017

There are many causes of anaemia, jaundice and abortion in cattle, including bovine anaemia due to Theileria orientalis group (BATOG).
Backgrounding beef for benefit

20 December 2016

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)'s Northern Beef Project collaborated with industry groups to evaluate returns from the value-added beef method of backgrounding
Cattle drench resistance testing results and recommendations for cattle farmers

4 November 2016

Drench resistance in cattle worms has been found in tests in several countries in recent years, prompting an investigation into the situation in Western Australia.
Brucellosis in animals

25 July 2016

Brucellosis is an economically important bacterial disease of animals that can also affect people.
Property of origin statements for Western Australia

26 June 2016

A key component of live animal exports is the health certification that demonstrates to the importing country that the livestock meet market requirements.
Climate change and broadacre livestock production

31 March 2016

Climate change will affect livestock production in the agricultural areas of Western Australia in different ways, with some regions and enterprises benefiting and some not.