Barnaby Joyce has been given a rock star reception at a crisis meeting of more than 1000 farmers in a WA country town where the former federal agriculture minister labelled opponents of live sheep exports "zealots".

Two of three major exporters are now not trading with the Middle East during its sweltering summer, which peaks in August, after 2400 sheep last year died from heat stress on the Emanuel Exports-chartered Awassi Express.

Livestock Shipping Services voluntarily suspended its northern hemisphere sheep business while Emanuel had its licence suspended.

Mr Joyce said those who wanted to shut down the sector were "zealots" but the industry could fight back and win, citing the resumption of the cattle trade to Indonesia and NSW's abandoned proposal to ban greyhound racing.