Katherine and Victoria River Regions

The Katherine region is a hot semi arid monsoonal climate characterised by a rainy season of 4 to 5 months and a dry season for the rest of the year.

In the Katherine region breeding for sale as stores cattle targeting the lucrative export industry is the main focus of these cattle enterprises. The majority of the cattle carried on the properties are Brahman and Brahman-cross.

Brahman and Brahman-cross cattle are more heat and tick resistant than other breeds and are more adapted to tropical conditions.

There is some improved pastures in the smaller properties but native pastures like Mitchell, Speargrass and Flinders grasses are the dominant pasture species.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• MARKETS: The Katherine membership predominately export cattle to SE Asia
  
• CATTLE NUMBERS: 240,000 + are shipped to Asian markets
  
• RAINFALL: Rainfall is the highest in the north with a average of 890-1020mm declining rapidly to an average of 400mm in the southern areas