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

  • Feeling the short ribs of a heifer in order to assess body condition.

    Live cattle assessment

    10 December 2013

    Cattle producers regularly make visual assessments of their cattle.

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    Carbon farming management options in Western Australia

    13 November 2013

    The aim of carbon farming is to sequester more carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as part of Australia's response to climate change.

  • Two cuts of meat displaying the difference in back fat between different weight ranges.

    Controlling high backfat (P2) in finisher pigs

    15 January 2014

    There are a number of factors that may contribute to pigs having high backfat (P2) and therefore graded fatter than what is required by the market.

  • Nine pink adult free range pigs standing in various positions on dirt.

    Pig genetics

    14 January 2014

    The genetic potential of pigs can have a major influence on the productivity and profitability of a pig enterprise.

  • Young Merino rams ready for selection prior to mating.

    Sheep genetic resource flock

    17 January 2014

    The Genetic Resource Flock of Western Australia, previously called the Information Nucleus Flock, was established by the Sheep Cooperative Research Centre (Sheep CRC) in 2007 and is now funded by M

  • Photograph of covered effluent pond for collecting methane as part of manure management in a piggery

    Managing manure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

    13 November 2013

    Managing manure to reduce emissions can be economically viable for larger enterprises or cooperative facilities that use the captured methane to generate heat and electricity.

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    Managing and buying bulls

    16 December 2013

    Weaning percentage and therefore conception rate, can significantly influence profitability in the breeder herd.

  • Sheep in the yard waiting to be shorn

    Genetic selection and using Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV)

    2 December 2013

    Genetic selection enables both wool and sheep producers to make positive and permanent genetic gains in their flock.

  • A pen of lambs from a single sire mating.

    Conducting an on-farm ram source comparison

    26 November 2013

    An on-farm ram comparison is designed to improve your ability, as a commercial sheep producer, to confirm the suitability of a ram source for your flock.

  • A white dorper ram in good condition and ready for mating.

    Selection of a ram source or stud

    26 November 2013

    Wool growers can achieve their breeding objectives by retaining superior breeding stock and by choosing superior rams.

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