The Livestock industry in SA is a significant contributor to agricultural production and exports but limitations on production due to the availability of water has been an issue for some production regions over a long period. In response to specific concerns raised at the Livestock SA AGM in 2017 PIRSA, Livestock SA, industry members and DEWNR undertook a survey and workshops to identify the sector’s stock water issues across the State.

Many sheep, beef cattle and goat producers in South Australia rely on SA Water for access to water supplies for their livestock across quite a wide part of the agricultural areas of the State, from Eyre Peninsula to the South East. The increasing cost of SA Water has become a limiting factor to profitability and production expansion.

Livestock SA welcomes the Inquiry into the impact of feral deer, pigs and goats in Australia. Pest animal control is a significant issue for Livestock SA members, with results from our recent 2018 annual survey highlighting it was a “major issue” for 35% of producers. While this includes feral deer, pigs and goats, other invasive animal species of major concern to livestock producers in South Australia include wild dogs and kangaroos. There are also other species of concern including rabbits, foxes, crows, feral cats, wombats, wallabies, possums, koalas and Cape Barren geese.