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

Livestock ownership, identification and movement in Western Australia

5 December 2013

Western Australia has a mandatory livestock ownership, identification and movement system.
Approved identifiers for livestock

15 January 2014

All livestock in Western Australia must be correctly identified according to species.
State Barrier Fence Esperance extension update

8 January 2014

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has commenced the extension of the State Barrier Fence eastwards from its current termination point near Ravensthorpe, extendin
State Barrier Fence overview

16 January 2014

Western Australia's State Barrier Fence plays an important role in preventing animal pests such as wild dogs from moving into the State's agricultural areas from pastoral areas in the east.
Preventing calf scours in beef herds

28 November 2013

‘Calf scours’ is when young calves develop diarrhoea and become dehydrated. The scour can be white, yellow, grey or blood-stained, and is often foul-smelling.
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.
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.
Pasture condition guide for the Kimberley, Western Australia

27 March 2014

This pasture condition guide can be used from the web pages or by downloading the attached documents.
Post-entry requirements for imported livestock

22 October 2014

All livestock entering Western Australia are legally required to comply with the state's conditions of entry. Some stock are required undergo post-entry treatments, testing or inspections.
Sheep (S-) strain of Johne’s disease (JD) in cattle

11 April 2019

There are three strains of the bacteria, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, that cause Johne’s disease (JD): sheep/ovine (S-), cattle (C-/bovine) and bison strains.