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.

Previous Pause Next

Articles

  • Industry update: live sheep export #4

    24 October 2018

    The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is continuing to monitor and respond to changes in the live export environment which impact the Western Australian sheep industry.

  • Cattle in paddock

    Copper deficiency in sheep and cattle

    22 July 2014

    Copper is an essential trace element for animals needed for body, bone and wool growth, pigmentation, healthy nerve fibres and white blood cell function.

  • 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.

  • sheep rubbing due to lice infestation

    A treatment plan for farms with lice

    27 May 2014

    When the prevalence of sheep lice is high as it is in Western Australia at the present time, there is a greater probability that lice will be present in any flock.

  • sheep running through an automatic jetting race

    New on-farm technology for sheep producers

    2 May 2017

    The new on-farm technology activity was part of the Sheep Industry Business Innovation project and completed a series of case studies on sheep producers who have successful

  • Weaner being vaccinated with 5 in 1 vaccine to protect the sheep from clostridial diseases.

    Sheep weaning best practice

    25 November 2013

    Monitoring the health and liveweight of weaners is important to ensure their survival and for producers to maximise profit. Weaners are more susceptible than adult sheep to a number of health issue

  • A mob of prime lambs grazing a clover based pasture

    Growing weaner sheep

    21 November 2013

    Weaners are the most difficult class of sheep to manage effectively, largely because they usually cannot consume enough energy while grazing dry pastures and crop stubbles.

  • Silos filled with grain on a farm.

    Alternative feed sources for sheep

    11 December 2013

    During dry times and drought there are a wide range of alternative feedstuffs that can be used to maintain and grow stock.

  • Trail feeding of ewes in late summer on dry pasture.

    Tips for hand feeding sheep

    26 November 2013

    When sheep need to be supplementary fed, either in a confined space or in a paddock, there are different ways to ensure that they are receiving the correct quantities of feed and wastage is reduced

  • Sheep grazing green pastures in warm times of the year may be at risk of haemonchosis.

    Barber's pole worm in sheep

    2 December 2013

    Barber's pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is a potentially harmful roundworm parasite of sheep which can cause a disease called haemonchosis.

Pages

Filter by search

Filter by topic