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

Tools, calculators and resources for sheep and grazing management

15 November 2013

These tools, calculators and resources are designed to help producers manage their ewe flock more effectively and make better management decisions about feed budgeting and grazing.
Pig feed: what you can and can’t feed pigs (swill or prohibited pig feed)

27 November 2013

It is illegal to feed meat, meat products and food that has been in contact with meat to pigs in Australia.
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 linked documents.
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.
Selenium and/or vitamin E deficiencies in sheep

13 December 2013

Selenium and vitamin E are essential in sheep diets, and work together to prevent and repair cell damage in the body.
Sheep feeding and nutrition

9 December 2013

Managing good nutrition of sheep in the Mediterranean climate of south-west Western Australia requires constant monitoring and planning.
Boosting winter pasture growth with nitrogen fertiliser – Western Australia

26 November 2013

Applying nitrogen fertiliser to pasture in winter can increase dry matter production of grasses and broadleaf weeds and help reduce feed shortages in winter.
Deferred grazing and sheep at the break of season in South West Western Australia

26 November 2013

Grazing annual pastures in the first 12 days after germination can lower the productivity of pastures during winter by removing poorly rooted plants, and by reducing plant leaf area to sub-optimal
Grazing annual pastures – using feed on offer (FOO) as a guide

22 November 2013

Grazing management in winter and spring in South West Western Australia (SW WA) can manipulate the quality, quantity and composition of pasture.
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