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

Understanding Pastures from Space for South West Western Australia

23 May 2019

Pastures from Space estimates green feed on offer (FOO) and the pasture growth rate (PGR).
Climate change and broadacre livestock production

31 March 2016

Climate change will affect livestock production in the agricultural areas of Western Australia in different ways, with some regions and enterprises benefiting and some not.
Carbon Life Cycle Analysis for the Western Australian beef industry

25 March 2021

In support of the State Government’s commitment to reducing industry emissions and mitigating climate change, DPIRD is developing a life cycle assessment (LCA) for beef production in Western Austra
Spray grazing - for broadleaf weed control in pastures

12 May 2015

Options for control of winter broad leaved weeds, in pastures, is a common inquiry. A fairly reliable method is spray grazing.
Responding to animal welfare in emergencies

22 July 2019

It is the responsibility of owners and carers of animals to properly plan for emergencies in order to keep them safe. These include livestock, horses, companion animals and wildlife.
Water erosion control after fire – Western Australia

12 February 2015

Following a fire that removes paddock ground cover, the risk of water erosion is greatly increased.
SMS livestock surveillance networks

17 September 2018

Cattle producers in the shires of Albany, Denmark and Plantagenet in Western Australia and sheep producers in the shires of Esperance and Ravensthorpe are invited to participate in local surveillan
Sheep management – Making good decisions in Summer and Autumn in Western Australia

6 March 2020

To avoid problems and take advantage of opportunities, managers need to be well informed, make good decisions and take timely action.
Land management complaints in Western Australia

3 December 2013

Members of the public can lodge a complaint about observed land management with the Commissioner of Soil and Land Conservation in Western Australia, and the Commissioner will then investigate the c
Carbon farming: nutrition and feed additives to reduce methane emissions from sheep

18 October 2013

Improved grazing and feeding management of sheep can reduce methane emissions per unit of product (feed efficiency) or emissions per unit of feed intake (methane yield).