Sheep and Goat Science Commons^™

Greenfeed Methane Measuring Machine, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) now has the cutting-edge GreenFeed machine which measures emissions from individual cows and sheep, allowing us to determine Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions more accurately in the paddock.

Joining - Setting The Potential Of Your Ewe Flock, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Joining is the time when the potential lambing of your flock is set, so make the most of it.

Preparation of ewes and rams for joining should start 8 weeks prior to joining for the greatest benefit.

Key tactical decisions around ewe and ram health and nutrition should be made prior to joining. This should ideally start 8 weeks before joining as the impact of nutrition, shearing and teasing take time to influence joining success.

The majority of the ewes in Western Australia are seasonal breeders. The spontaneous cycling in Merinos and breeds such as Poll Dorset are least affected …

The Impact Of Changing Joining Rates On The Western Australian Sheep Flock, Kate Pritchett

Animal production and livestock research reports

Given the poor seasonal conditions and low prices experienced in 2023/24, the Western Australian (WA) sheep industry is experiencing a period of very poor industry sentiment often compared to that seen in the 1990’s following the collapse of the wool reserve price scheme.

These difficult times mean producers have had to make production decisions for their businesses which may have flow on effects for the entire state flock. One commonly discussed option by industry and consultants was to join less ewes to reduce the feed burden on farm and help mitigate losses due to low prices. This computer modelling aimed …

Carbon Neutral By 2030 - Katanning Research Station, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Climate Science Published Reports

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's (DPIRD) Katanning Research Station (KRS) is developing practical techniques and methods for mitigating carbon emissions from the livestock industry.

This research will help the livestock industry in Western Australia (WA) access anticipated future markets for carbon neutral food and fibre products.

Western Australian Sheep Producer Survey 2022, Janet Conte, Katherine Davies

Animal production and livestock published reports

The Western Australian Sheep Producer Survey is conducted to gather information on sheep enterprises and producer practices. It has now been conducted four times, in 2011, 2014, 2018 and 2022 with large random samples of sheep producers in the Medium Rainfall Zone (MRZ) and Cereal Sheep Zone (CSZ).

Some questions were included in all four surveys providing a chance to examine trends over time. Many of the results have remained stable over time giving some confidence that significant changes in survey responses are reflecting trends in the broader population of WA sheep producers.

Katanning Research Station Showcase: Projects And Initiatives, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock research reports

An overview of current projects run from Katanning Research Station.

Katanning Research Station is a sheep, pasture and cropping research hub. The digital agriculture technologies and management systems are designed to lift productivity and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The research includes the:

• genetics (breeding values) of feed intake efficiency in sheep
• impact of feed supplements and forage combinations on methane production of sheep
• evaluation of novel pasture species to develop livestock systems of green feed year round
• saltland rehabilitation program that aims to halt and reverse salinity (surface water management and groundwater drainage), and provide out-of-season feed (the planting of …

Sheep Worms – Sustainable Summer-Autumn Worm Control, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

A summer drenching program for sheep worm control is now recognised as a key cause of drench resistance in Western Australia. However, some small changes can increase the sustainability of pre-emptive control programs. Drenches in summer should always be given to younger, growing sheep (current and previous year’s age groups), whereas adult sheep should be drenched in autumn, or if drenched in summer, some should be left untreated (if drenching at all). Research shows that this reduces the chance of developing drench resistance but still provides effective worm control.

Best Practice Marking Of Lambs, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Lambs should be marked between two and 12 weeks of age, with the youngest animal in the mob at least 24 hours old, to ensure the formation of a maternal bond. If lambing extends for more than six weeks, consider having two mulesing/marking sessions.

Lambs should be tail docked using a gas-heated knife or rubber rings and mulesing should only be carried out when necessary.

The provision of pain relief with routine husbandry procedures benefits animal health and welfare and is now a consumer and community expectation. Producers have access to registered products that can relieve pain associated with mulesing, …

Sheep Grazing Trigonella Balansae Had Productivity, Health And Meat Quality Similar To Sheep Grazing Subterranean Clover Or French Serradella, M. G. Wilmot, Hayley C. Norman, Joshua Hendry, Paul Young, Elizabeth Hulm, Andrew Toovey, Jane Speijers, Robert J. Harrison

Animal production and livestock research articles

Context: An accession of the annual legume Trigonella balansae Boiss. & Reuter. has been selected for commercial release in Australia.

Aims: As part of a duty-of-care assessment, we tested the hypothesis that sheep grazing the trigonella accession will have liveweight, condition scores and wool production similar to those of sheep grazing two widely adopted annual legumes, subterranean clover (subclover, Trifolium subterraneum L. cv. Dalkeith) and French serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot. cv. Erica). We also hypothesised that sheep grazing the three legumes will have similar meat quality and health, as indicated by blood plasma panel analysis.

Methods: Wethers (n …

Livestock Management In 2023 - 2024, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

Parts of WA have experienced below average rainfall resulting in feed limitations, with below average rainfall also predicted for the coming months. The feed shortage has been further compounded by limited slaughter space and reduced market prices for sheep.

Sheep industry economist, John Young, of Farming Systems Analysis Service was commissioned to look at the economics of some key decisions this season, taking into account current seasonal and market conditions.

WA sheep producers need to have plans in place early to monitor stock condition and make decisions about which classes of stock to keep. This will also include the feed …

Tedera: A Guide To Growing And Utilising This Perennial Pasture Legume, Daniel Real

Animal production and livestock published reports

The commercial release of a new pasture species is a rare and, potentially, important event. In the case of tedera (Bituminaria bituminosa var. albomarginata) we have a novel perennial pasture legume with characteristics which set it apart from anything currently available to growers in Australia or internationally.

Specifically, it is a drought-tolerant, highly productive perennial pasture with the capacity to provide nutritious forage, especially when other feed sources are scarce. Its reaction to drought is in contrast with the few successful perennial legumes available for Mediterranean climatic zones, such as lucerne, as it retains green leaves when water stressed, allowing …

Managing Non-Mulesed Sheep, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has been involved in a variety of research projects to help producers manage non mulesed sheep. Research has shown that it is possible to successfully manage non-mulesed sheep with little extra time or cost.

Sheep And Goat Industry Funding Scheme Annual Report 2021/2022, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia, Sheep And Goat Industry Funding Scheme

Agriculture reports

No abstract provided.

Oestrogenic Subterranean Clover Guide. Identification And Remediation, Kevin J. Foster, Megan H. Ryan, Daniel R. Kidd

Bulletins 4000 -

Subterranean clover (subclover, Trifolium subterraneum L.) is an annual pasture legume that provides high quality feed for livestock. It is estimated to be sown over 30 million hectares across southern Australia, with cultivars developed for the low, medium and high rainfall zones. Unfortunately, some older cultivars contain high levels of phytoestrogen which can affect the reproductive system of sheep and cause other health issues. This became a significant issue for sheep producers from the 1940s as new land was cleared and sheep grazed subclover-dominant pastures. There was a collection of livestock issues observed and these were grouped together under the …

An Industry Life Cycle Assessment (Lca) For Sheep Production In Western Australia, Stephen Wiedemann, Darcia Mcrae, Emma Longworth

Animal production and livestock research reports

The Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has identified the need to understand greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the livestock sector in detail, with a view to developing emission reduction plans for the state. To achieve this, DPIRD commissioned a life cycle assessment (LCA) for the sheep industry in Western Australia (WA) for the financial years (FY) 2005 (July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005) and 2020 (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020). The analysis of one historic period provided a baseline reference point for the more recent results, and the intent was to develop …

Analysis Of Livestock Movements And The Benefits And Costs Of Livestock Standstills In Australia As Part Of The Response To Foot-And-Mouth Disease, Ann Seitzinger, Graeme Garner, Richard Bradhurst, Walter Okelo, Michelle Rodan

Animal production and livestock published reports

This project involved analysis of livestock movements and used epidemiological modelling and cost analysis to estimate the benefits and costs of implementing livestock standstills in response to a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Australia. This was done in four steps: 1) assessing the extent of livestock movement, 2) conducting a cross sectional analysis of the impact (reduction of outbreak size and economic cost) of implementing a national standstill/movement control, 3) use of case specific studies to estimate impact of state/territory level implementation of standstill, and 4) cost analysis and comparison of national standstill with the state/jurisdictional level and risk-based approach …

Sheep And Goat Industry Funding Scheme Annual Report 2020/2021, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

The Sheep and Goat Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) has been operating since 2010 to address biosecurity threats relevant to the Western Australian (WA) sheep and goat industry. The Scheme was established by regulation under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 to enable sheep and goat producers to identify pest and disease priorities at a whole-of-industry level and raise funds for activities to address these priorities.

There are currently three Industry Funding Schemes in operation. In addition to the Sheep and Goat IFS, there is a Cattle IFS and a Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS. The three IFSs operate in …

Primary Industries Development Research Highlights 2021, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Tim Scanlon

Books & book chapters

The Primary Industries Development Research Highlights 2021 showcases the breadth and depth of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s research and development activities over the past several years.

Stories featured in Research Highlights 2021 stem from about 60 (of 140) current and recently-completed projects undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) 1100 scientists, technical experts and economists throughout the State.

Explore our Research Highlights 2021.

The publication demonstrates the innovative and applicable research that DPIRD and its collaborators and investment partners deliver to Western Australia.

Download the Research Highlights 2021 here. Alternatively, …

Industry Funding Scheme Regulations: A Review Of Operation And Effectiveness, May 2021, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

Section 147 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 requires the Minister for Agriculture and Food to carry out a review of the operation and effectiveness of any regulations made for the purposes of establishing an Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) every five years.

In 2010, regulations establishing three IFSs commenced to address pest and disease threats relevant to Western Australia’s broadacre and pastoral cropping and livestock sectors. This report documents the second fifth-year anniversary statutory review of the following regulations:

• Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Industry Funding Scheme (Cattle) Regulations 2010

• Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Industry Funding Scheme …

Sheep And Goat Industry Funding Scheme Annual Report 2019/2020, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

The Sheep and Goat Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) has been operating since 2010 to address biosecurity threats relevant to the Western Australian (WA) sheep and goat industry. The Scheme was established by regulation under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 to enable sheep and goat producers to identify pest and disease priorities at a whole-of-industry level and raise funds for activities to address these priorities.

There are currently three Industry Funding Schemes in operation. In addition to the Sheep and Goat IFS, there is a Cattle IFS and a Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS. The three IFSs operate in …

2020 Lambing Survey, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

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 lamb marking rates. The data collected in 2020 adds to survey results from 2018, 2017 and 2011 to build a comprehensive picture for WA.

Marking rate (number of lambs per ewe mated) is an important measure to determine the rate of renewal of the state flock, potential turnoff and rate of genetic gain. It also an indicator of the impact of our highly variable seasons.

Genetic Selection And Using Australian Sheep Breeding Values (Asbv), Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Genetic selection enables both wool and sheep producers to make positive and permanent genetic gains in their flock. Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV) are the most effective tool sheep producers can use to select rams and ewes to genetically improve their flocks.

Analysis Of The Value Of A Ewe In The Wa Sheep Industry, John Young, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock published reports

The WA flock is at a historically low level, however, sheep profitability is at record highs so rebuilding the state flock is an industry priority. Minimising ewe losses is a necessary component of the flock rebuilding. As a result of the feed shortage and possible grain shortage with high prices likely due to demand for grain from the east coast, local farmers may be tempted to underfeed their ewes during the summer/autumn period. Awareness and good information regarding the cost of mis-managing ewe nutrition will help minimize this temptation.

Sheep And Goat Industry Funding Scheme 2018/2019, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Biosecurity published reports

The Sheep and Goat Industry Funding Scheme (IFS) has been operating since 2010 to address biosecurity threats relevant to the Western Australian (WA) sheep and goat industry. The Scheme was established by regulation under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 to enable sheep and goat producers to identify pest and disease priorities at a whole-of-industry level and raise funds for activities to address these priorities.

There are currently three Industry Funding Schemes in operation. In addition to the Sheep and Goat IFS, there is a Cattle IFS and a Grains, Seeds and Hay IFS. The three IFSs operate in …

Tips For Hand Feeding Sheep, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

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 Weaning Best Practice, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

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 issues, as their immune system is still in development. Vaccination, drenching for worms and flystrike control are important management steps at weaning.

Growing Weaner Sheep, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

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.

There are a number of techniques you can apply to ensure your weaners are effectively managed, including setting and meeting growth targets, being vigilant on health and disease management and ensuring the weaners have their protein and energy needs met.

Tracking The Wa Sheep Flock, Kate Pritchett, Mandy Curnow

Animal production and livestock research reports

The Western Australian (WA) sheep industry experienced a year of uncertainty in 2018 due to the disruptions experienced in the live export trade and the reported poor lambing season. This paper discusses the possible effect of these factors on the size and composition of the WA flock in 2019.

Western Australian Sheep Producer Survey 2018, Mandy Curnow, Janet Conte

Animal production and livestock published reports

This survey was commissioned in 2018 by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), following earlier surveys in 2011 and 2014 conducted as part of national producer surveys for the Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Innovation (Sheep CRC). This report is therefore able to analyse respondents’ flock management over time.

The surveys were conducted by telephone with producers who had more than 500 sheep and were located in the Medium Rainfall Zone (MRZ) or Cereal Sheep Zone (CSZ). The sample sizes for the 2011, 2014 and 2018 surveys were 369, 368 and 389 respectively.

Implications Of Management Decisions On The Wa Sheep Flock In Response To Changing Markets, Kate Pritchett

Animal production and livestock research reports

The Western Australian (WA) sheep industry is profitable and productive and includes more than 4000 individual producers, processors and exporters as well as countless associated businesses and industries.

The industry makes a significant contribution to both the state’s agricultural production and the WA economy. In 2016/17 the gross value of agricultural production (GVAP) from the WA sheep industry totalled $1.4 billion. There is continuing demand for both wool and meat in export markets, giving strong incentives for increasing production of both wool and sheepmeat. This affords producers an opportunity to increase the productivity of their ewe flock and to grow …