Maeve O’Brien - Livestock Advisor Essentials Course

With electronic identification (EID) set to become mandatory in WA’s sheep industry by 2025,

the need for skilled, regionally based livestock advisors has never been greater. Recognising

this, the Mt Burdett Foundation’s Rural and Regional Advancement Foundation (RRAF)

provided funding to support Maeve O’Brien, a livestock consultant based in Katanning, to complete the Livestock Advisor Essentials course- ensuring producers in southern WA are not left behind.

While EID is being rolled out nationally, the training and support required to interpret and apply livestock data have often been concentrated in eastern states or major centres. For southern WA, where livestock production plays a major economic and social role, this has created a service gap.

By investing in the professional development of a local livestock advisor, RRAF has ensured

that sheep producers in the region will have local, relevant, and timely support to:

● Adopt and utilise EID technologies effectively

● Make data-informed decisions about breeding, feeding, and flock management

● Improve productivity, traceability, and animal welfare standards

● Maintain competitiveness as market expectations continue to rise

The Livestock Advisor Essentials program provided Maeve with advanced skills in:

● Pasture and nutrition management

● Genetic counselling and breeding program design

• Farm business modelling and strategic decision-making

● Cross-regional production system comparisons

This knowledge will now be applied directly in on-farm advisory roles, helping producers

transition from seeing EID as a compliance cost to recognising it as a powerful tool for improved profitability and sustainability. “There’s a real risk that regional WA producers miss out on the full benefits of this technology without advisors who understand their systems and context,” Maeve said. “This training means we can meet them where they are, with solutions that work on the ground.”

The RRAF’s support has helped ensure that southern WA won’t fall behind in the national shift to digital livestock management. Producers will benefit not only from advisory support but also from ongoing knowledge-sharing and collaboration as skills are passed along to farming

networks and regional groups.

The long-term impact includes:

● Increased confidence and capability among sheep producers

● Stronger local support networks for navigating regulatory and market change

● Enhanced productivity and animal welfare across the region

● A model for how small investments in people can lead to big outcomes in agriculture

The Mt Burdett Foundation’s Rural and Regional Advancement Foundation is proud to support initiatives that directly address skills gaps and ensure rural WA communities have the knowledge, leadership, and tools they need to thrive.

Working in agriculture and want to upskill to support your community? Explore funding

opportunities at mtburdettfoundation.org.au