Topend Region

NEXT MEETING:

Top End Region
Current Chairman:	Mr Tony Searle
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 Top End region of the NT is destined in its climate and land systems. The main attributes over other regions are the higher rainfall, and less productive nature of the country.

The region also has abundant natural permanent water. Large areas of the coastal plains are under water during the wet season. Allowing pasture to be produced and grazing stock during the dry period.

Pastoral operations are generally on a smaller scale than in other NT pastoral districts. Native pastures include monsoon tall grass and monsoon short grass.

The northern monsoonal region (Top End) is suitable for intensive pastoralism using introduced pasture species and cropping which enhance cattle fattening opportunities.

Cattle are Mainly Bos indicus breeds like Brahman and Brahman-cross cattle.

FACTS AND FIGURES

MARKETS: The Top End membership predominately export cattle to SE Asia.

CATTLE NUMBERS: 240,000 + are shipped to Asian markets.

RAINFALL: The region has a monsoonal climate with rainfall ranging from 750mm to 1600mm concentrated mostly in the December to April period.

Mr Tony Searle, Top End Chairman: 2007 Branch Report

I present my Chairman’s Report for 2006 with encouragement that our industry is progressing by tackling problems and challenges with a positive attitude.

This cannot be achieved without the support of our members and the dedication from Stuart, Tricia other NTCA staff, the executive and the committee which I hereby thank you all for your assistance and input throughout the year.

The Top End hosted a successful AGM/Conference/Dinner, even though it was dampened by a little flooding and some of us members and guests were unable to make it. In true Territory tradition a little water didn’t stop a successful and enjoyable event.

2006 has been a somewhat different year for us in the Top End with late flooding particularly in the coastal areas as a result of a late cyclone. It resulted in excessively wet flood plains late into the season and we were unable to take advantage of the good stands of pasture available and overall there was a 75% reduction in stock on the northern flood plains.

Throughout the year the NTCA & NTLEA worked together to promote the Live Export Trade, also dealing with issues AQIS seem to keep confronting cattle producers and exporters with.

Cattle prices have been strong throughout the year with excellent prices at the years end and beginning of 2007.

Brian Radunz and Kel Small have kept us informed and updated us on Animal Health and NLIS issues. May the implementation of NLIS in July be as stress free as possible to you all?

Major issues raised throughout the year – Review of the Pastoral Land Act NT Livestock Bill & Regulations Updating the NTCA Constitution, Long Distance Transport Code of Practice, Work Choices and general issues being Roads Roadside Clearing Fire Control and Weed Control.

The major issue of the ongoing Local Government Debate – if adopted will result in serious consequences for the rural landholders with many future robust debates and discussions expected before this issue will be finalized.

Also the Adaptive Management Plan for the Douglas Daily area has been signed off by the Commonwealth and has been presented to the Northern Territory Government. We are now hoping that the Government will see this Plan as a responsible way forward and lift the Moratorium on the land clearing and subdivision and the water allocation scheme in place so that future development can commence.

It is blatantly evident that the present regime is impending development and investment which directly affects productivity and the economy of the region.

The Top End Branch has also taken over the administration of NT Buffalo Industry Council and a consultant has been employed to rewrite the Strategic Plan with funding from the NT Government.

I am also pleased to report that the Mimosa Project funded by NHT Funding to control mimosa on the northern flood plains is in its second year of a three year project and is progressing well with a total of 19 properties participating, all with various levels of mimosa infestations.

A submission for further funding will be submitted in the coming months by the DPI Weeds Branch on our behalf.

NTCA took advantage of the opportunity to promote a positive out look on the industry - Good Land Management Practices with several articles published in the Sunday Territorian with the Top End featuring in some of the articles.

There will be increased challenges in the coming years as the water debate down south and climate issues heat up and the animal activists continue their drive to stop live export and other related practices.

In closing, I would like to encourage all members to take an active role in the organization to ensure a positive future for our industry and if the occasion arises to promote new membership to ensure our future.

Members can access further information relating to NTCA business by contacting Darwin office.

Before I close I would just like to say a special thank you to Ian McBean for his assistance and guidance throughout my year as Chairman.

Tony Searle
Chairman
Top End Branch
February 2007