Livestock & animals

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development supply chain support, research and development and rigorous biosecurity systems underpin the economic success of Western Australia’s livestock industries. In 2011/12, the WA livestock industries contributed 26% of the state’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry production, worth approximately $2 billion at the farm gate.

WA is a world leader in live exports, super fine wool production and dryland sheep and grain systems. Both cattle and sheep systems are focused on export markets to Asia and the Middle East. WA also has innovative, world-class integrated dairy and pork industries meeting local and South East Asian demand for safe, fresh milk and pork. The WA poultry industry is growing strongly as a result of increasing domestic consumption.

Global demand for high-quality, safe animal protein and products produced according to high animal welfare standards will continue to rise in coming years. Increasingly DAFWA will partner with industry -- locally, nationally and internationally -- in transformational business projects to capitalise on this demand.

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Articles

Feeding cattle in a dry autumn

8 May 2024

Senesced dry pasture will be below the energy and protein requirements for maintenance of all classes of cattle and supplementary feed must be provided to maintain their condition score.
Understanding Pastures from Space™ for South West Western Australia

23 May 2019

Pastures from Space^TM estimates green feed on offer (FOO) and the pasture growth rate (PGR).
Early weaning of lambs in a poor season

6 March 2014

The feed requirements of a ewe with a lamb at foot are higher than if the ewe and lambs are fed separately. In a difficult season with short feed supplies, it is better to early-wean lambs from the
Confined paddock feeding and feedlotting of sheep

15 November 2013

Conﬁnement feeding (also referred to as lot feeding or feedlotting) is an intensive feeding system in a conﬁned area where all, or the majority of, feed and water is supplied to the contained anima
Supplementary feeding and feed budgeting for sheep

27 November 2013

Supplementary feeding of sheep, with grain, hay or silage is necessary when pastures or stubbles are deficient in energy and protein.
Southern beef - dry season management

16 April 2024

South West cattle producers and small landholders are being affected by an extended dry season where available annual pasture and feed reserves are being depleted.
Resources, tools and calculators for cattle and grazing management

2 May 2024

These tools, calculators and resources are designed to help producers manage their cattle more effectively and make better management decisions about feed budgeting and grazing.
Farm Business Resilience Program

31 August 2023

The WA Government is working with the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund to create opportunities for pastoralists and farmers across 6 agricultural industries to connect with each other an
Avian influenza

9 December 2013

There are many different strains of the avian influenza virus that causes avian influenza, many of which have the potential to cause significant losses if commercial poultry enterprises become infe
Managing the beef breeder herd in southern Western Australia

18 February 2014

Kilograms of beef produced per hectare is a significant driver of profit for a beef business. Cow longevity (length of productive life) plays an important role in achieving a profitable business.