Management & reproduction

Reproductive rate varies widely among livestock species. Nonetheless, efficient reproduction is critical to profitability in all livestock industries. Nutrition and genetics are the key drivers of efficient reproduction. However, there are many other facets of management such as, behaviour, use of technology and housing that must also be taken into consideration if farm enterprises are to raise their reproductive rate.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development conducts research, development and extension activities in collaboration with industry partners to improve the productivity of the main livestock species. The objective is to support the economic development of the state by improving the profitability of Western Australian farm enterprises.

Articles

State Barrier Fence overview

16 January 2014

The Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act) provides the authority for regulations to be made for the erection and maintenance of barrier fences as a means of controlling
Livestock identification and movement: goats

22 September 2015

Western Australia has a mandatory livestock ownership, identification and movement system.
State Barrier Fence effectiveness surveys

17 January 2014

A grower suvey and benefit cost analysis on the State Barrier Fence has demonstrated the positive impact the fence is having on wild dog management.
Ewe abortion and newborn lamb deaths surveillance program

20 June 2016

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development conducts a surveillance program for ewe abortion and newborn lamb deaths to assist sheep producers to identify the cause of abortions a
Regulation of poultry production

30 January 2014

Legislation regulating the poultry industry covers a wide array of issues ranging from disease control, food health and safety, the environment (odour and noise emissions), to agricultural chemical
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
Preventing calf scours in beef herds

28 November 2013

‘Calf scours’ is when young calves develop diarrhoea and become dehydrated. The scour can be white, yellow, grey or blood-stained, and is often foul-smelling.
Pregnancy toxaemia and hypocalcaemia of ewes

12 December 2013

Pregnancy toxaemia and hypocalcaemia affect lambing ewe flocks and have similar signs but different causes.
Poultry biosecurity checklist for small landholders

2 December 2013

The poultry biosecurity checklist summarises the actions needed to protect your poultry and the Western Australian poultry industry from the devastating effects of emergency diseases such as avian
Infertility and abortion in cows

3 December 2018

There are multiple causes of infertility, abortion and stillbirths in cows. These include some diseases that are exotic to Western Australia and some zoonotic diseases.