WA Sheep Transition Hub | Meat & Livestock Australia

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Western Australia’s sheep industry is entering a major transition as live sheep exports by sea are phased out by 1 May 2028.

MLA recognises that this change will have significant and lasting impacts on many WA sheep producers, and that no single set of resources, tools or training can remove the challenges involved.

This WA Sheep Transition Hub is designed to support business-led decisions by providing clear, practical and evidence-based information to help producers navigate the transition and adapt with confidence.

FAQs

Got questions about phasing out live export by sea? MLA has compiled these FAQs to help with the transition.

1. What is MLA doing to support WA producers transitioning to the phase-out of live sheep export?

MLA is backing WA sheep producers by investing in practical research and new business options and by helping grow markets for Australian sheepmeat, so there are profitable alternatives as live exports wind down. See ‘R&D investments’ below for more information.

2. Where can producers go for support?

There’s a range of support available beyond MLA, including government, grower groups and community organisations. There are programs designed specifically for WA sheep producers affected by the phase‑out of live sheep exports, particularly the Federal Government’s Transition assistance package.

For financial assistance, see the ‘Grants and funding opportunities’ section below.

For wellbeing support, find a free Rural Aid counsellor near you.

3. What is the short, medium and long term demand outlook for WA sheep and lamb?

According to projections from MLA’s Market Insights team, the outlook for the WA sheep and lamb industry is as follows –

Short term: Demand is strong and supply is tight, supporting prices.

Medium term: Demand remains firm, with competition expected for quality sheep and lamb.

Long term: Demand still positive, with growth focused on meat markets rather than live export.

For WA producers, the outlook points to opportunity for those adapting toward meat‑focused, market‑aligned systems, rather than a collapse in demand.

4. What do the logistics of the transition look like between now and May 2028?

The transition is likely to be gradual and orderly, not a sudden stop. Live sheep exports by sea can continue until 1 May 2028, while government support, grants and infrastructure investment ramp up to help producers and the supply chain adjust.

Timeframe	Phase	What’s happening	Producer focus
2025–2026	Early transition	Export volumes trend lower; early supply chain upgrades	Gradual shift to finishing and processor pathways
2026–2027	Scaling alternatives	Processing capacity adapts; likely fewer export shipments	Lock in markets, align production to specifications
2027–May 2028	Final transition	Industry operating without live export reliance	Finalise transition decisions and systems
From 1 May 2028	Post phase‑out	Live sheep exports by sea end by law	Optimise productivity and value per head

5. What production models should producers consider as they reduce dependency on live export?

As live export becomes less central to the WA sheep industry, the focus shifts toward flexible, meat focused production systems that can manage seasonal risk, utilise existing assets and better align with processor demand. There is no single “right” model – the best option depends on rainfall zone, soils, labour, capital and business goals.

Possible options include:

meat-focused breeding and lamb production
mixed farming (cropping and sheep) systems
confinement and/or lot feeding
combination of all of the above.

6. How is industry working together to provide consistent information on this issue?

MLA, industry groups and the WA and Australian Governments are aligning their messages to producers and sharing information through the same channels wherever possible.

An important part of this communication is the independent Live Sheep Export Transition Advocate, Dr Chris Rodwell, whose role is to act as a go-between for producers and government. The Advocate listens to producers and supply chain businesses, explains what support is available and how the transition is tracking, and feeds real, on the ground concerns back to government. He also helps guide planning for the future of the WA sheep meat and wool industry, including a formal stocktake of progress in 2026–27.

Industry is working together to cut through confusion, keep everyone hearing the same story, and help producers make informed, business led decisions right through to May 2028 and beyond.

RD&A investments

MLA is investing in a range of projects to support innovation and diversification across the WA sheep industry, including:

Value chain	Mixed farming best practice	Confinement feeding
Implementation of objective measurement (multiple projects) SheepLinks program (DPIRD)	Optimising stubble grazing strategies in the Great Southern Standing fodder crops for finishing lambs Drone-smart crop grazing for southern WA SheepLinks Feed365 FutureSheep	Assessing economic benefits of confinement feeding Confinement feeding and deferred grazing management system Which set up? Implementing confinement feeding

Producers are encouraged to engage with WALRC to ensure their on-farm challenges and priorities are heard and reflected in future sheep industry R&D investment decisions.

Marketing/insights activities supporting the transition

1. Expansion of the Lambassador Program

MLA has significantly expanded its Lambassador Program to build influential global advocates for Australian sheepmeat. This includes hosting international buyers, chefs and trade leaders on paddock‑to‑plate tours across WA and eastern Australia to improve understanding of production systems, animal welfare, sustainability and product quality. The program drives trial of new sheepmeat cuts, strengthens buyer confidence, and supports long‑term demand growth for boxed sheepmeat as alternatives to live export.

2. Aussie Meat Academy

3. Deployment of sheepmeat technical specialists

Several sheepmeat technical specialists have been deployed into priority markets to deliver hands‑on, practical training on Australian sheep and lamb products. This supports better utilisation of the whole carcase, including secondary cuts, helping markets shift from live animal preferences to boxed sheepmeat solutions and increasing overall demand.

4. Market and consumer insights

MLA collects global insights to better understand purchasing drivers, cultural preferences and usage barriers in key markets. These insights inform where sheepmeat demand can grow, how products should be positioned, and which cuts or specifications offer opportunities for WA producers as live export volumes reduce.

Grants and funding opportunities

There is financial support available for WA sheep producers facing this transition, including:

Transition assistance package (DAFF)

Supply Chain Capacity Program (DPIRD)

For transporters – $1.5 million Livestock Transport Industry Transition program

Case studies

Producers

Explore real examples of WA producers who are successfully adapting their businesses. These case studies demonstrate adaptation is already happening across WA – and paying off.

Making stubbles work harder in mixed systems

Stubble grazing has always been a focus for WA mixed farmers Ben and Emily Webb – but until recently, it was largely managed by experience and visual assessment. Now, they’re taking a more data-driven approach, using liveweight monitoring to better understand how long stubbles deliver value and when to intervene.

Read now

Australian lamb brand owners and importers

Hear from Australian lamb brand owners and importers who highlight how businesses are responding to change, strengthening partnerships with WA producers, and positioning Australian lamb for long-term success in domestic and global markets.