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

Western Australian Farming Systems project

7 July 2022

The Western Australian Farming Systems project is a 5 year co-investment by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation
Farm Debt Mediation Scheme WA

19 February 2015

The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme in Western Australia is available to assist farm and pastoral businesses and financial institutions resolve disputes about business financial arrangements.
Dry season resources

14 June 2017

Western Australian agriculture experiences variability in its winter growing season (May–October): late starts, early finishes and 'dry seasons' with rainfall low enough to cause serious plant and
Carbon farming management options in Western Australia

13 November 2013

The aim of carbon farming is to sequester more carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as part of Australia's response to climate change.
Farm Business Resilience Program

31 August 2023

The WA Government is working with the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund to create opportunities for pastoralists and farmers across 6 agricultural industries to c
Making tough decisions about failed crops

18 August 2017

In poor growing seasons, crops may not be good enough to harvest. Managers need to make some tough decisions, after assessing feed value for livestock, potential weed seed set, level of herbicide
Greenhouse Gas Emissions for WA Agriculture

7 June 2021

Each year the Federal Government estimates the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and reports by sector via the National GHG Inventory.
Quality assurance schemes for food in Western Australia

15 January 2014

Western Australia has an enviable food safety record underpinned by widespread uptake of food safety programs.
Sensitive sites in Western Australia

16 December 2013

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development operates a sensitive sites service to identify the locations of sensitive commercial production systems across Western Australia's agri
How to calculate the carbon emissions from your own farm business

7 June 2021

Farming systems produce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, primarily in the form of methane (mostly caused by animal digestion and respiration) and nitrous oxide (mostly from fertilisers).