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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Five-day foot bathing treatment of ovine footrot

    5 March 2019

    Five-day foot bathing is a treatment option that can be used as a disease reduction measure in winter, spring, or at the start of summer to treat clinically mild forms of footrot in sheep.

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    Chemical residues in livestock

    27 November 2013

    Some of the world’s safest meat, milk and fibre products are produced here in Western Australia. WA farmers produce safe food by keeping their livestock free of harmful residues.

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    Veterinarians treating livestock with chemicals

    28 November 2013

    Western Australia has laws that control chemical use on livestock. These laws protect people, animals and the environment from harm, and maintain access to overseas markets.

  • Cow and sheep grazing in paddock

    Reportable animal diseases

    16 January 2014

    Early recognition of disease is one of the most important factors influencing the control of disease and the reduction of its impact on industry and the community.

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    Preventing antimicrobial resistance

    10 November 2015

    Antimicrobial resistance threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an increasing range of infections in humans and animals caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses.

  • Ovine campylobacteriosis (formerly ovine vibriosis)

    8 August 2014

    Ovine campylobacteriosis is an infectious disease of breeding ewes causing abortion in late pregnancy. It is caused by the bacteria Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus.

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