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

Bluetongue virus

8 July 2014

Bluetongue virus can infect all ruminants but it usually only causes serious disease in sheep. Cattle may be infected with the virus but rarely show disease.
Managing sheep in a dry spring

4 August 2017

This page provides the presentations from the ''Managing sheep in dry spring: for agribusiness professionals" event held in Kojonup, Geraldton and Perth in 2017.
Managing heat load and heat stress in sheep and cattle at saleyards

12 May 2022

This webpage assists a person responsible for animals in meeting their animal welfare obligations when managing heat load and heat stress in sheep and cattle at saleyards.
State Barrier Fence R4R projects

11 December 2013

Big improvements in wild dog management and agricultural pest animal control resulted from funding through the WA Government's Royalties for Regions program.
Johne's disease (JD) in sheep

5 December 2013

This webpage describes the signs of Johne’s disease (JD) in sheep, how it spreads, and testing options.
Managing blue-green algae on farms in Western Australia

2 December 2014

Blue-green algae are a group of algae including Nodularia spumigena, Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaena circinalis.
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.
Western Australian sheep industry university scholarship program

4 July 2017

The Sheep Industry Business Innovation (SIBI) Scholarships program was an initiative designed to support and encourage individuals who wished to pursue further study by addressing key industry ques
2020 Lambing Survey

2 December 2020

To better understand the impacts of poor and variable seasons on lambing and turnoff rates, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) conducts special short surveys on l
Johne's disease (JD) in sheep: biosecurity practices and management options

9 December 2013

This webpage outlines the market impacts of a Johne’s disease (JD) diagnosis, biosecurity practices to reduce the likelihood of JD in sheep occurring on your property, the SheepMAP program, and opt