Katherine Region

NEXT MEETING

Katherine Region
Current Chairman:	Mr Rohan Sullivan
Next Meeting:	Branch General Meeting
Venue:	TBA
Time:	TBA
Documents:	TBA

As part of the ongoing relationship with the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, Livestock Nutrition Technologies (LNT) is proud to sponsor the NTCA's four branch AGM’s.

LNT has supplied quality supplement blocks to NT cattlemen for over 40 years. With Shaun Coutts, our local Northern Territory area manager, based in Katherine LNT is committed to long term support of the NT cattle industry. 

For more information visit Livestock Nutrition Technologies online.

BRIEF

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

Mr Rohan O'Sullivan, Katherine Chairmen: 2007 Branch Report

Fellow Katherine Branch Members, welcome to the 2007 AGM.

In the last 12 months we have experienced a late finish to the 2005/6 wet season including floods in Katherine, a category 5 cyclone in mid-April followed by classic dry season conditions and a late start to the 06/07 season. As I speak, the monsoon trough has re-established along the north coast and the next fortnight will probably determine what seasonal and pasture conditions we will face during 2007.

Our industry continues to enjoy strong demand for its product and, it’s probably fair to say, for its land base as well. Live export prices remained strong during 2006 and prices paid for pastoral properties continue to defy gravity.

The NT government has finally emerged with its plan for local government in the NT. While some of you may feel that the association has been vocal enough on this issue, you should be aware that our position is well known in government circles. In parliamentary debate last week on the local government reforms, every speaker mentioned the concerns of the pastoral industry. We do have a voice at the table on the proposed system and the arguments of its proponents. However make no mistake, we face an uphill battle.

Our association is in a sound position both in terms of membership and financially. For example, at the most recent executive meeting we endorsed 7 new members, including 4 for the Katherine branch. Our position has been helped considerably by the proactive approach of the Association and our Executive Director to various government programs and getting the NTCA involved in their delivery and management. This has generated income and put extra staff resources on the ground. One cloud on the horizon is the continued trading losses of the Bohning Yards near Alice Springs. While the yards and land are valuable assets, there is a lack of cattle numbers using the yards. The executive is currently looking at options to address this situation.

While on the subject of yards, I have to report that there has been little progress with resolving the management of the Katherine trucking yards. This has been primarily due to uncertainty on my own part about how a charging and management system could be implemented by what basically amounts to a part-time committee. Additional concerns about responsibility for NLIS compliance and public liability further complicate the issue. We have met recently to explore ways to make the system work. This may result in restrictions being placed on public “casual” use of the yards. However, whatever management system is put in place, I believe the bottom line should be that the yards are a required piece of infrastructure for the industry in the region and remain so until such time as a viable, practical and long-term alternative is available.

The review of the Pastoral Land Act continues. The NTCA has now submitted its response to the review recommendations. The responses will now be considered by the government steering committee, which will recommend the final changes for the Ministers consideration before the new legislation is drafted. The NTCA response strongly supported the intent and effectiveness of the original act and reiterated the status of pastoral land as land set aside for pastoral purposes, not de-facto national parks. While the regular review of legislation is seen as good governance by many, if not most, in government circles. The length of time taken for the review and the amount of hours put in by public servants, industry representatives and general community members has been considerable. There must be a better use of time and resources than carrying out reviews of legislation, which is basically working well. The review process is flawed in that many of the more radical recommendations were driven by the input of organisations like the NT Environment Centre, which have no interest in the wellbeing of the industry and could not reasonably be considered as stakeholders.

I will not go into detail on the roads situation in the region. Needless to say there are many issues in the region not least of which is the continued delay in work commencing on the Western Creek road. I have also been recently made aware of the poor condition of the western end of the Murranji. I would like to thank Trevor Troy for his regular attendance at meetings to update us on the road situation and for rural and regional roads.

Our Deputy Chairman, Mark Clifford, has advised that he will not be available to continue in the position this year. I would like to thank Mark for this time and input. I would also like to thank members for their confidence and support over the last 12 months. I hope to see you all at the AGM and conference at the end of next month.

Rohan Sullivan
Chairman
Katherine Branch
February 2007