Beef cattle

The Western Australian beef herd consists of approximately two million head, half of which free range on extensive pastoral stations in the northern rangelands while the remainder roam the lush pastures of the agricultural region of the south and south-west of the state.

In 2011/12 the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated the gross value of beef production in WA at $517 million. The state exported some 220 000 live cattle valued at $154 million in addition to 99 000 tonnes of boxed beef products worth $68 million in 2012.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's current focus is on new and diversified market opportunities for WA live cattle exports and beef products. The department provides support to develop enduring supply chain relationships through effective communication, business model change and market development.

Articles

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    Managing and buying bulls

    16 December 2013

    Weaning percentage and therefore conception rate, can significantly influence profitability in the breeder herd.

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    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.

  • Diarrhoea in adult cattle

    22 May 2018

    There are a variety of possible causes of diarrhoea in adult cattle and they are often different to the common causes of diarrhoea, or scours, in calves.

  • Livestock post-mortem techniques workshop

    Sampling and post-mortem resources for veterinarians

    9 March 2015

    The following resources have been produced by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) to assist veterinarians in selecting and preparing samples and conducting livesto

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    Grass tetany in beef cattle: prevention and treatment

    28 November 2013

    Grass tetany is a highly fatal disease associated with low levels of magnesium in the blood.

  • Pink eye in cattle

    15 December 2013

    Pink eye or infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is a common and contagious eye condition that affects cattle of all ages. It is most commonly seen in calves and young stock. 

  • Dairy cattle grazing in paddock

    Selenium deficiency in cattle

    25 March 2015

    Selenium (Se) is now recognised as an essential trace element for ruminants.

  • Brahman cattle backgrounding

    Backgrounding beef for benefit

    20 December 2016

    The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)'s Northern Beef project collaborated with industry groups to evaluate returns from the value-added beef method of backgrounding

  • Cattle in paddock

    Copper deficiency in sheep and cattle

    22 July 2014

    Copper is an essential trace element for animals needed for body, bone and wool growth, pigmentation, healthy nerve fibres and white blood cell function.

  • The sheep on the left has cobalt deficiency. The one on the right has been treated.

    Cobalt deficiency in sheep and cattle

    22 July 2014

    All ruminants (including sheep, cattle and goats) require cobalt in their diet for the synthesis of vitamin B12.

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