Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Australian Livestock Export Industry

Year of Published: 2017

The project was initiated to provide a detailed analysis of Australia’s livestock export industry and involved a broad-ranging review of the competitiveness of Australia’s livestock export sector.  The project identified strategies that will assist and improve that competitiveness in response to growing competition in many international livestock markets.

The project includes a number of case studies of Australian farm businesses and examines the importance of live export markets to the financial viability of those businesses. In 2015 Australian livestock exports were valued in excess of $1.75 billion, making it one of the nation’s most important rural exports. 

An overview of the project findings is outlined in the infographic (attached) and video / webinar (that can be viewed at the following link using the password: farm https://vimeo.com/213960807).

Preparation of rangeland goats for live export

Year of Published: 2016

Management of wild goats through the live export chain has in the past been problematic for the live export industry. Variation in management practices prior to export has meant it was difficult to pin-point reasons for variation in consignment performance and as such since 2008 there has been a restriction on exporter licenses which bans the long haul shipment of goats by sea.

This project identified a number of management knowledge gaps in the goat live export supply chain, particularly in the pre export preparation phase of wild captured goats. In consultation with industry, these knowledge gaps were developed into research priorities. This project sought to address these priorities with the aim of minimising the risks and barriers associated with long haul shipment of goats. 

Bedding management and air quality on livestock vessels - A literature review

Year of Published: 2016

This review looks at the research studies conducted over the past 15 years into air quality and bedding management for improving environmental conditions on livestock vessels. 

The review is divided into three sections focusing on air quality and environmental monitoring (temperature, pad moisture and emissions), bedding management (management strategies and ventilation), and the issue of reporting (advances in environmental monitoring technology). 

National livestock export industry sheep, cattle and goat transport performance report 2015

Year of Published: 2016

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the performance of the livestock export industry in terms of mortality levels of sheep, cattle and goats exported by sea and air from Australia during 2014.  The report provides a breakdown of mortality trends by ship, species, time of year, load ports and major destinations.

National livestock export industry sheep, cattle and goat transport performance report 2014

Year of Published: 2015

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the performance of the livestock export industry in terms of mortality levels of sheep, cattle and goats exported by sea and air from Australia during 2014.  The report provides a breakdown of mortality trends by ship, species, time of year, load ports and major destinations.

National livestock export industry sheep, cattle and goat transport performance report 2013

Year of Published: 2014

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the performance of the Australian livestock export industry in terms of mortality levels during the 2013 calendar year. The report focuses on cattle, sheep and goats exported by sea and air, as well as providing a breakdown of mortality trends by ship, species, time of year, load ports and major destinations. The overall mortality level for each species continued to decline from the levels recorded in 2012. 

Investigation of ventilation efficacy on live sheep vessels

Year of Published: 2014

This study/project was undertaken to investigate the ventilation effects of specific vessels carrying sheep and goats from Australia following the completion of ‘Shipboard ventilation project’ that mainly focused upon ventilation efficacy on cattle vessels. The report presents risk management options in the shipment of sheep, lambs and goats and provides options for heat stress management planning.

Veterinary Handbook for cattle, sheep and goats app

Year of Published: 2014

The Veterinary Handbook app is a mobile phone/tablet resource that includes information on the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and associated syndromes of diseases in cattle, sheep and goats.

National livestock export industry shipboard performance report 2012

Year of Published: 2013

This report provides summary information about mortalities in sheep and cattle during sea transport from Australia in 2012 to allow industry, government and others to monitor mortality trends in the live sheep and cattle trades.

Standard operating procedures for the welfare of sheep in overseas markets

Year of Published: 2012

This manual describes the use of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to meet animal welfare standards for sheep from vessel discharge through to the point of slaughter in overseas markets. The manual details the SOP for: animal handling, land transport, feedlot operations, lairage and slaughter.