Sheep

The key products of the Western Australian sheep industry are wool, sheepmeat (lamb and mutton) and live sheep. At around 12.4 million sheep, the WA flock turns off between 4.5 and 6 million sheep and lambs for meat and live export as well as 65 million kilograms of greasy wool (primarily for export markets) annually.

The Merino is the most common breed of sheep in WA, making up 80% of the state's flock. The remainder are ‘British breeds’ or so-called maternal breeds, meat specific breeds such as Dorpers and some breeds for specialty meat and fibre markets.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's current focus is on increasing lamb supply, improving the productivity, welfare and sustainability of sheep production and developing and extending targeted information products and services to generate practice change. In an effort to increase the marking rate of lambs, the department, in collaboration with industry, has developed the More Sheep initiative.

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
Ovine brucellosis

10 July 2014

Ovine brucellosis is a reproductive disease that can affect all breeds of sheep.
Property of origin statements for Western Australia

26 June 2016

A key component of live animal exports is the health certification that demonstrates to the importing country that the livestock meet market requirements.
Prevent sheep lice with biosecurity and planning

6 December 2013

Sheep farmers can save money and time eradicating new lice infestations by taking simple biosecurity measures that become part of normal management programs.
Sheep worms – sustainable summer-autumn worm control

5 December 2013

A summer drenching program for sheep worm control is now recognised as a key cause of drench resistance in Western Australia.
Tools, calculators and resources for sheep and grazing management

15 November 2013

These tools, calculators and resources are designed to help producers manage their ewe flock more effectively and make better management decisions about feed budgeting and grazing.
Flystrike management tools

18 November 2013

To make sure that any chemical application doesn’t leave you short on protection or break your withholding periods, the Flystrike Assist application (mobile app for iOS and Android) has been devel
Managing virulent footrot in sheep and goats in Western Australia

17 February 2015

There are two forms of footrot in sheep and goats: virulent and benign. They are caused by infection with different strains of the bacterium, Dichelobacter nodosus.
Benign footrot in sheep and goats in Western Australia

18 February 2015

There are two main forms of footrot in sheep and goats: virulent and benign. Both forms are caused by the bacterium Dichelobacter nodosus.
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.