Animal Welfare
Livestock / production
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Livestock / Production

The Livestock and Animal Health Branch resides in the Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Division of Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA). PIRSA works to facilitate the acceleration of responsible economic development in the livestock industries of South Australia by working with industry, community and Government partners within a framework which seeks to deliver enhanced environmental and social outcomes for the state and administration of the Livestock Act 1997.

The vast majority of farmers and members of the South Australian Farmers Federation are committed to the welfare of their animals. The livestock industry invests a great deal of time, effort and money in researching ways to improve animal welfare and in education and training of stock people. The welfare of livestock and production animals is of interest to the Australian general public and public perception of animal welfare issues has the potential to impact on consumer buying habits and therefore the overall performance of the industry. Scientific evidence on how livestock animals respond to particular environmental or husbandry practices can improve animal welfare through recognition that high standards of animal welfare are associated with improved productivity.

Australia's Livestock / Production Industry

Australia's meat and livestock industry began in 1788 with the arrival of the First Fleet. Captain Phillip and his crew brought along a cargo including seven cows, a bull, a bull calf, 29 sheep and a handful of goats, pigs and poultry. The animals were to assist in sustaining the new colony. Large cattle and sheep industries soon grew in the colony. In the early days, no distinction was made between dairy cattle and beef cattle, but as the inland grass plains of New South Wales were discovered, beef producers drove their stock further inland, while dairy farmers tended to stay on the fertile coastal strip. Today, the livestock industry accounts for around 55% of South Australia's export revenue.