Sheep and goats

Sheep

In NSW, the varied conditions of weather, markets and production affect the sheep industry in a similar way they affect other livestock industries in the state.

Sheep producers have adopted a range of production systems and best practice to combat the challenges they face when managing their livestock.

For information sheep management, research, welfare and health, contact your Local Land Services office or visit the Department of Primary Industries website.

Goats

In NSW, the goat industry consists of milking herds and predominantly semi-wild rangeland goatmeat harvesting enterprises. In 2017, 71% of NSW goatmeat producers had a harvest enterprise, while 29% operated a managed or semi-managed enterprise.

Goat meat is the most widely consumed meat worldwide. Despite being a relatively small producer of goat meat, Australia is the largest exporter of goat meat and live goats in the world, and certain NSW producers believe the Australian goat meat industry will continue to grow and evolve.

For more information on goat management, production and welfare, contact your Local Land Services office or visit the Department of Primary Industries website.

Going Ahead with Goats Project

Local Land Services is delivering the $1.2 million Going Ahead with Goats Project, which will assist goat producers and the goat industry thrive into the future, with an aim to accelerate the adoption of goat Research & Development (R&D) and grow market share, both domestically and in the export market, for Western NSW goat producers.

Read more about the Going Ahead with Goats Project.

How Local Land Services can help

Our staff work in partnership with farmers and farming groups to provide support, advice and best-practice examples to increase the productivity and profitability of both sheep and goat enterprises.

We work closely with organisations such as the Department of Primary Industries to provide up-to-date technical advice and support. Our staff work towards strategic plans on biosecurity and welfare to the benefit of Australian farmers and our land.

Local Land Services Livestock Officers will coordinate local producer groups and hold field days on locally relevant topics including animal husbandry, pasture management, disease management and drought preparedness.

If you’d like to know more about this, please contact us.

What we do

Local Land Services can help with:

• managing livestock
• advice and assistance in the control of pest animals
• health and disease management of sheep and goats
• animal welfare
• understanding your livestock and how to properly manage, move and care for them
• provide training and advice through educational programs such as Tocal Skills Training.

Contact your local staff

If you need help, or you’d like to know more about managing sheep and goats, contact us.