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

  • Cows grazing pasture in the Great Southern

    Infertility and abortion in cows

    3 December 2018

    There are multiple causes of infertility, abortion and stillbirths in cows. These include some diseases that are exotic to Western Australia and some zoonotic diseases.

  • Cattle on pasture

    Kikuyu poisoning in livestock

    29 January 2018

    Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestimun) is a subtropical perennial grass with spring to autumn growth.

  • ewe and lamb in paddock

    Mastitis in sheep

    3 December 2013

    Mastitis is the term for a bacterial infection of the udder. It is most common in ewes raising multiple lambs or with high milk production.

  • DPIRD approved fluke egg sedimentation test (FEST) procedure

    11 March 2015

    Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) approved procedure for detection of trematode eggs and Eimeria leuckarti sedimentation method (FEST) on faecal samples.

  • Chickens drinking

    Newcastle disease

    12 May 2014

    Newcastle disease is a severe viral disease of poultry and other birds.

  • The sheep on the left has cobalt deficiency. The one on the right has been treated.

    Cobalt deficiency in sheep and cattle

    22 July 2014

    All ruminants (including sheep, cattle and goats) require cobalt in their diet for the synthesis of vitamin B12.

  • A new Department of Agriculture and Food lamb survival project, and a ramped up 100%+ Club, will provide recognition and support for sheep producers wanting to lift their outputs.

    Infertility and abortion in ewes

    16 June 2015

    There are multiple possible causes of both infertility and abortion in ewes, but making a definitive diagnosis is often difficult. Some diseases which are exotic to Australia can cause abortions.

  • Angus cattle in paddock

    Vaccinate to protect cattle health and profits

    27 November 2013

    Vaccines can prevent a wide range of diseases that cause reduced production, fertility or death in cattle and economic losses to Western Australian producers.

  • decorative

    Agriculture a career for everyone: High school resources

    19 January 2016

    The Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) supports the growth of the state's agrifood sector in four key areas: markets, productivity, profitability and people.   Funded by the state governmen

  • Murray Grey cattle grazing in a paddock

    Management of beef cattle on organochlorine contaminated land

    9 July 2014

    The persistent nature of organochlorine (OC) residues in soils is an ongoing issue for livestock producers. Cattle are the most susceptible to the accumulation of OC residues.

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