Despite the recent turmoil experienced in the live export sector and the deflated market on home soil, those involved in the forum encouraged sheep farmers to remain optimistic about the industry.
This was the third time this year the Sheep Industry Leadership Council (SILC) had met with industry leaders to discuss the future of the sector and address critical issues faced in WA.
Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) livestock industry executive director Kevin Chennell said this year's forum focused on a vision for the sheep industry until 2025 and beyond as well as drafting an industry-wide strategic plan.
Mr Chennell said SILC members and industry leaders outlined and discussed the current challenges.
"We particularly focused on the export challenges and recognised there was nexus between all export markets," he said.
"We are so reliant on foreign markets so the way we manage those markets is critical, whether it be boxed beef or live export."
Mr Chennell said the forum recognised industry confidence was a major hurdle and discussed ways to rectify the problem.
"We spoke today about holding some roadshows around the State involving senior, credible people to talk about live export, prices and sheep numbers," he said.
"We want people, farmers and processors - anyone involved, to have a sense of what the future may look like and try to restore some confidence back in the sector."
Mr Chennell said a number of concerns were bought up by growers and members of the audience in regards to the future of the industry.
He said there was a lot of worry surrounding the live export boats and how they will flow over the next few months.
"I think we all recognise they will continue to move but not at a pace sufficient enough to clear the backlog the ban created," Mr Chennell said.
"There is also a lot of worry in the processing sector in that it appears to be booked out.
"But on a positive note we have had some new entrants in the sector with Hillside Meats, Gingin Abattoirs and Beaufort River coming on board."
SILC chairman Rob Egerton-Warburton said the strategic plan was one of the most important tools to come out of the forum.
He said SILC sees it as imperative that the whole supply chain is fully informed of what is going on in the industry.
'When we talk about where the sheep industry in WA is going we want to have a single vision for it and that is where the strategic plan comes in," Mr Egerton-Warburton said.
"We want to ensure everybody has the same information and is pulling in the same direction."
He said the plan would also build confidence in all levels of the industry.
"Without a doubt confidence is a big issue at the moment," Mr Egerton-Warburton said.
"But the numbers are telling us that the demand for WA sheep products are real and in many cases outstripping supply.
"The lack of confidence is generally only driven by rumour or lack of knowledge and we want to get that knowledge out as soon as possible.
"This plan will give us the ability to know where the industry is headed and what benchmarks we will achieve."
DAFWA and SILC were working with a number of agencies across the country to gather and collate the best possible information and Mr Egerton-Warburton said that information would be shared with everybody.
"In November we will be looking at running half-day sessions in the northern, central and southern regions of WA," he said.
In addition to the information days SILC will also be publishing the findings online at
www.moresheep.agric.wa.gov.au