Publication Date

7-2024

Publisher

Bush Agribusiness

City

Toowoomba

Abstract

This report provides recommendations for the practical application of a methodology for calculating and applying Animal Units in the rangelands of Western Australia.

Animal Units have evolved over time, in their definition, derivation and the size of the standard animals used. This has resulted in their being varying and inconsistent approaches within and across jurisdictions which has limited their application.

The Animal Unit methodology applied in this report is used in other rangeland and pastoral regions, it therefore progresses a nationally consistent approach.

The standard animals used in this methodology are:

  • Animal Equivalent (AE), a 450 kg Bos taurus steer with zero weight gain, walking 7 kilometres per day
  • Dry Sheep Equivalent (DSE); a 45 kg wether with zero liveweight gain, no wool growth beyond that which is included in maintenance and walking 7 kilometres per day.

WA was divided into five Animal Equivalent Rangeland Regions for the purpose of applying Animal Units: Gascoyne-Buffel, Kimberley, Pilbara, Southern Rangeland, Nullarbor.

Available data on diet quality, liveweight and liveweight gain in the beef cattle sector in WA, and insight from the working group formed by DPIRD for this project was used to assign productivity regions to each of the Animal Equivalent Rangeland Regions.

The productivity assigned to regions is based on estimated annual liveweight gain of steers in the regions. The 3 annual productivity levels used are high (annual steer liveweight gain >150 kg), moderate (110-150 kg) and low (< 110 kg).

The assignment of annual productivity of each region were: Gascoyne-Buffel moderate; Kimberley moderate; Pilbara moderate; Southern Rangeland low; Nullarbor moderate.

This report provides recommendations for the Western Australian Government to update Animal Units in line with the annual productivity listed above, including generic AE ratings and intake constant per AE.

The categories of livestock currently used for reporting in the rangelands of WA are very broad. We recommend that the livestock classes used are expanded. The current livestock classes and PCCs can be used as part of the transition to the new methodology.

Existing carrying capacities can be used or adapted with the new approach.

The lack of regionally specific and accurate animal production data has been an impediment in undertaking this work.

There is significant scope for improvements in the application of Animal Units in WA. Additional data on animal growth paths and productivity will refine or confirm the assumed productivity levels.

Updated carrying capacity assessments are required for the Southern Rangelands and Nullarbor regions.

Number of Pages

36

Keywords

animal units, pastoral rangelands, Western Australia

Disciplines

Agriculture | Environmental Monitoring | Natural Resources and Conservation | Natural Resources Management and Policy

Comments

This report was prepared for DPIRD Rangelands Science as part of the Pastoral Lands Project and the potential carrying capacity review of pastoral leases.

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