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

  • vet holding dog

    Animal Welfare Grant Program

    30 September 2021

    The Western Australian Government is supporting the welfare of companion animals and wildlife through grants for not-for-profit activities that foster and rehome pets, rehabilitate wildlife, and pr

  • 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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    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.

  • Cow leading her calf through a raceway.

    Breeder and heifer management for rangeland cattle

    13 December 2013

    This section contains information relating to breeder and heifer management for rangeland cattle. Topics covered include body condition score, heifer management and breeder management.

  • weaner sheep in a paddock at the breeak of season.

    Annual pasture quantity and quality in South West Western Australia

    26 November 2013

    The productivity of sheep is largely governed by the amount of pasture they eat and this is influenced by the quantity of the pasture on offer and its quality.

  • Sheep drinking at a dam

    Water quality for livestock

    3 December 2014

    Measure water quality and quantity to effectively plan and monitor water supplies for livestock.

  • Cattle in a dry field

    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.

  • beef cattle

    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.

  • Hardship Support Grant

    6 May 2024

    Many agricultural areas in Western Australia are experiencing drought conditions due to unseasonably low rainfall and higher-than-average daytime temperatures since October 2023.

  • Weaner Merinos leaving the yards after being checked for flystrike.

    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

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