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BARKLY HERD MANAGEMENT
FORUM 2013
LIFE MEMBERS OF ABC RACE
CLUB
WHO’S NEW IN THE ZOO
OPTIONS FOR NORTHERN BEEF
PRODUCERS
THE EFFECT OF BIRTH WEIGHT
AND MONTH OF BIRTH ON PREWEANING GROWTH OF CALVES
ON THE BARKLY TABLELAND,
NT
CHANGES TO EXPORT
PREGNANCY TESTING
REQUIREMENTS
WHAT WHEN & WHERE
AROUND THE TRAPS
BARKLY HOUSE STAFF LIST
ISSN: 1325-9539
September 2013
Barkly Herd Management Forum 2013
August 7th and 8th saw 34 participants from 16 properties from the Barkly, VRD, Kimberly and Channel
Country, descend on the Barkly for the 7th biennial Barkly Herd Management Forum. This year’s forum
was proudly hosted on three prime properties across the Barkly, beginning with Newcastle Waters
Station, popping in for a visit to Beetaloo Station and finishing off at Anthony’s Lagoon Station.
Presenters travelled from far and wide to give these young minds the information to enable them to be
up-to date with the latest research and key tools to help the beef industry progress.
Geoff Stanhope from Personis, tackled the hard topic of communication in the workforce and drove
home the importance of trust in the workplace. Geoff Niethe represented MLA, providing important
information on heifer management and also provided great entertainment as MC for Tuesday night’s
trivia and Mick Sullivan from QDAFF outlined the importance of weaner nutrition. Fast talking, high
energy Neil McDonald from Sherwood Kelpies, tricked our participants into learning by hiding key
messages in his extensive stories, whilst showing us how to break in weaners with dogs.
NT DPIF put on a good show with Dionne Walsh tackling the importance of pastures – who knew that
stuff that your cows eat is worth millions of dollars?! Jane Douglas gave us insight into the new-age
rotational grazing trial that has recently been set up on Beetaloo, with Naomi Wilson from Barkly
Landcare providing an overview of the biodiversity that was found on this rotational grazing site. Tim
Schatz ran the eager participants through the outcomes of recent work undertaken by the DPIF Pastoral
Production crew and Trisha Cowley gave us a run down on the recent findings of the Beef CRC. DPIF
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 1
Biosecurity were also an important presence, with Sue Fitzpatrick driving home the importance of
biosecurity to the beef industry and the need to report unusual or suspicious stock deaths. Malcolm
Anderson dove into a tender topic of animal welfare and Greg Maguire showed off his trip to Nepal via
clever use of his Foot and Mouth disease presentation.
Not only was industry information showcased, a ‘look over the fence’ was provided by all three host
stations. Angus Mitchell gave an insight into the running of Newcastle Waters and the importance of their
Brahman stud to their and other CPC properties. Jane and Scotty Armstrong opened the gates into
Beetaloo’s rotational grazing management and their bull breeding operation which is focussed on their
own herd and export meat markets. Anthony Lagoon’s Sam Graham did not disappoint, giving away all
of his secrets to running Anthony Lagoon and Eva Downs.
The Tennant Creek DPIF would like to extend a huge thankyou to the host properties, Newcastle
Waters, Beetaloo and Anthony Lagoon. Without your support we would not be able to encourage the
youth of the Barkly and beyond to stay within the beef industry, and we also would not have been able to
fill their bellies with the quality of meals that you were able to provide. We would also like to thank the
participants for attending; some of you came great distances. Finally we would like to thank our
presenters for the vital information they provided to the next generation of pastoralists, and the generous
sponsorship that MLA provided.
Beetaloo Bulls, Photo courtesy of Geoff Niethe, MLA
Participants of the 2013 Barkly Herd Management Forum
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 2
TENNANT CREEK DPIF WOULD LIKE TO THANK
NEWCASTLE WATERS STATION
BEETALOO STATION
AND
ANTHONY’S LAGOON STATION
FOR THEIR IMMENSE SUPPORT AND HOSPITALITY
FOR HOSTING THE 2013 BARKLY HERD MANAGEMENT
FORUM
WITHOUT YOUR HELP THE BHMF WOULD NOT BE ABLE
TO OPERATE
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 3
Life Members of ABC Race Club: Bernadette & Henry Burke
Sam Graham, President ABC Amateur Race Club
Presentation speech at the 2013 ABC Brunette Races
The ABC Amateur Race Club has a proud tradition of community involvement for the past 103 years. As
part of this tradition the club and committee, at their discretion, present life membership to people who
have made an outstanding contribution to the club and the community.
It was in the late 1990’s when the ABC Race Club was struggling to keep the event operational and
viable, and there was a real threat that the event would not continue. Around this same time, this year’s
life members arrived back on the Barkly.
Both Henry and Bernadette Burke have had a long association with the Barkly, back from the early days
when they worked at Walhallow, to when they moved to Brunette in January 2002. It became evident at
this point that the Race Club had an exceptional support team in Henry and Bernadette, who would go
over and above to make each and every year’s event a success.
Henry and Bernadette Burke (centre) with trainer Kate Everett (L), Julia Burton-Taylor (R)
and winning 2009 District Bred Maiden, Photo courtesy of Helen Kempe
One Very Special Woman – Bernadette Burke
Bernadette has been instrumental in the support of the races and everything associated with the running
of the two events each year. She is one of the unsung heroines of the Barkly. Bernadette has been
involved in the committee and works tirelessly organising sponsorship, trophies, caterers and all the finer
details that go on behind the scenes prior to the event.
In Bernadette’s everyday role she is an exceptional logistics co-ordinator, but every year, many months
before the first truck load of horses arrive and the shutters on the bar go up or the familiar thunder of
hooves come down the straight to the finishing post, she is working behind the scenes.
Many nights Bernadette would be helping with the medical evacuations, which would go into the early
hours of the morning, which come with hosting events in such a remote area like the Barkly. Yet she
would be up and about the following morning to continue with support and helping with the running of
events.
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 4
The hospitality extended to visitors, judges and dignitaries over the years has put the Race Club firmly
on the map as a premier event and it has been Bernadette who has made sure all were well looked after,
no matter if it was a grader driver from forty years ago to the Chief Minister of the time, she has made
sure that each were looked after and went away with a memorable experience.
One Hard Working Man – Henry Burke
Henry has always been a strong supporter of community events and all that goes with running them. He
has held most of the positions on the committee throughout his time on the Barkly, culminating in the
joint president’s role during the 100 year celebrations.
The success and longevity of the ABC Races relies on all the support of those in the district, but without
the support of Brunette Downs itself, the event would struggle. Henry has gone over and above to
ensure each year was a success. Whilst many of us arrive the week of the event and everything is in
place, this is only due to the work that goes on behind the scenes. Being able to organise a labour force
and resources from the station (along with running the everyday operations of the station) is something
that Henry had always made available to the club. This is evident when we look at the improvements that
have been carried out over the years. Whether it was graders for the roads, bore trucks, welders, man
power, it has been Henry’s support facilitating the work which saw the committee host the 100 year
celebration with over 3000 visitors.
Henry has also enjoyed active participation in the weekend by competing in the campdrafts, along with
judging the Rodeo events and supporting the racing with station breed horses.
From all of Bernadette’s and Henry’s hard work and many hours invested into the ABC Amateur Race
Club, the committee decided that a life memberships should be awarded to these very dedicated people
to show our gratitude and appreciation for all that they have done.
Henry and Bernadette Burke with their ABC Life Memberships
Photo courtesy of Biddy O’Loughlin
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 5
Who’s New in the Zoo
The Department of Land Resource Management have now recruited two Weeds Officers to the Barkly
Region. Kathryn Boynton and Daniel Steel arrived in mid-August and have already been out and about
the region visiting several stations with Naomi and Jon of Barkly Landcare & Conservation Association.
Kath arrives from the small town of Georgetown in far north Queensland, where she worked as the
Biodiversity Officer for the region. Dan arrives from Bundaberg where he has recently completed an
Environmental Science degree. However, Dan is far from unfamiliar with the Barkly having worked as a
jackaroo on Alexandria in his teenage years and as a Northern Territory Police Officer, including two
years based in Tennant Creek.
Chris Brown, the Regional Weeds Officer for the Alice Springs region says that “the immediate focus for
Daniel and Kathryn will be to re-establish relationships with pastoral stakeholders in the region, who
have been without weed officer support for the last 18 months”.
Following their recent trip around the Barkly, Kath and Dan said that they enjoyed the opportunity to
meet some of the station managers, seeing a large part of the region and gaining an initial introduction
into some of the weed issues currently affecting primary producers.
Contact Details:
Dan Steel
Ph. (08) 8962 4314
Daniel.steel@nt.gov.au
Kath Boynton
Ph. (08) 8962 4322
Kathryn.boynton@nt.gov.au
33 Leichhardt St, Tennant Creek
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – 2014 RANGELANDS MANAGEMENT COURSE
An interactive course developed for station staff to enhance their skills & knowledge in the area of land & production system
management in the Barkly region.
What: 1½ -2 day course covering topics such as…Pasture species and the maintenance of a healthy and productive pasture | Weed
management & poisonous plants | Animal nutrition | Biodiversity
Where: On-station
When: March-May – dates on request from stations
For more information about BRMC or to organise a course on your station, please contact
Tel:
Email:
Jane Douglas
(08) 8962 4483
jane.douglas@nt.gov.au
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
Helen McMillan
(08) 8962 4493
BARKLY BEEF | page 6
Options for Northern Beef Producers
B. Cazergue, S. Eady, T. Oxley, B. Holmes & A. Higgins
Proceedings, Northern Beef Research Update Conference, 2013
A Case Study Examining the Impact of Establishing an Abattoir in the NT and
Market Alternatives to Live Export
The following is a research paper that was presented recently at the Northern Beef Research Update
Conference by CSIRO. The conclusions drawn from this paper have led to further research which will be
reported in the Barkly Beef as soon as they are available.
For further information, contact Trudi Oxley (08) 8973 9763.
Introduction
The Indonesian market represents almost two-thirds of Australian live cattle export (Gleeson et al, 2012),
with the northern beef industry being the most reliant on it, with 33% of their production sold into this
market (ABARES 2011). This situation puts the industry at risk should the market be disrupted. A longterm solution would be to extend the market to other importing countries, particularly in South East Asia.
Another would be to develop a processing meat industry in the Northern Territory to be able to finish and
slaughter cattle within the region. This paper investigates the impact on herd turn-off and income of
selling northern cattle into alternate domestic markets with the establishment of an abattoir in Darwin and
in the absence of live export trade to Indonesia.
To identify the scenarios a workshop was held with NT DPIF officers to explore alternate markets for
cattle. The scenarios investigated were: Business As Usual (BAU, see Breedcow Beef CRC templates,
Holmes et al. 2013); live export market + an abattoir in Darwin (+L +D); live export closed + an abattoir in
Darwin (-L +D); live export closed + no abattoir in Darwin (-L -D). Breedcow was used to model each
scenario giving gross margin (GM) returns before interest costs. With the live export market closed,
steers from Katherine VRD and Top End were sent to Townsville at 3 and 4 year-old for slaughter. For
Barkly Tableland, a smaller proportion of cattle go to the live export market and for the scenario where
live export was closed these cattle were sent to Longreach saleyards. As few cattle from Alice Springs
go to live export trade, this region was not included. With the availability of an abattoir in Darwin, all
cattle destined for slaughter were redirected to Darwin. In the absence of an abattoir in Darwin, old cattle
were sold ex-Katherine with an appropriate downward adjustment to price to compensate the buyers for
subsequent transport to a southern abattoir. Freight and other costs were adjusted for each scenario.
Gross Margin per AE for each scenario was calculated as follows:
Results
For the Barkly region, the closure of the live export market and an abattoir in Darwin had little effect on
gross margin as transport costs and market destination did not vary significantly across the different
scenarios.
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 7
For Katherine VRD and Top End gross margin response to the different scenarios came from an
interaction of sale price, selling costs and liveweight turn-off (see table below), gross margin per adult
equivalent (GM/AE) for each scenario are shown in the graph below.
Key inputs for Gross Margin calculation for the various scenarios studied in
NT.
In the scenario of continued live export and an
abattoir in Darwin (+L+D) the gross margin per
AE is slightly higher than if business continued
as usual (BAU) due to an increase in sale price
of old cattle.
If the live export industry were to close down,
and there was an abattoir in Darwin (-L+D),
there would be an increase in sale price for old
cattle, but a reduction in the sale price for young
cattle although they would have to be heavier at
point of sale. Holding the young cattle for
longer did not prove to increase husbandry
costs and bull costs. This made the GM/AE of
this scenario comparable to if business
continued as usual.
If the live export industry was shut down, the
presence of an operating abattoir in Darwin would significantly affect the GM/AE. Without the Darwin
abattoir or live exports cattle prices would decline and selling costs would increase thereby severely
reducing GM/AE.
Conclusions
For Katherine VRD and Top End, the addition of an abattoir in Darwin to business as usual offers a slight
improve in gross margin as older cattle do not have to be sent south for slaughter. However, in the
absence of live export, a Darwin abattoir becomes extremely significant in terms of beef producers ability
to maintain their GM at a level comparable to that being achieved with live export.
References
ABARES, 2011, ABARES survey of beef cattle producers in northern live cattle export regions
http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Primary_Industry/Content/File/Live_cattle_export_regions_2011.pdf
Gleeson, T, Martin, P & Mifsud, C, 2012, Northern Australian beef industry: Assessment of risks and
opportunities, ABARES report to client prepared for the Northern Australia Ministerial Forum, Canberra,
May, CC BY 3.0, http://www.regional.gov.au/regional/ona/files/20120621-abares-final-report.pdf
Holmes, W, et al. 2013, Representative Herds Templates for Northern Australia V1.00 – data files for
Breedcow and Dynama herd budgeting software, Beef CRC, DEEDI (Qld), DAFWA and DRDPIF&R
(NT), viewed on 26 April 2013, http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/16_20534.htm
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 8
The Effect of Birth Weight and Month of Birth on Pre-Weaning Growth of
Calves on the Barkly Tableland, NT
Tim Schatz, Kieren McCosker, Ben McGlynn and Max Cameron
Proceedings, Northern Beef Research Update Conference, 2013
As part of the Helen Springs Bull Breeding Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) approximately 510 cows
were monitored during calving and the birth date and birth weight of their calves was recorded. The
calves were weighed again at weaning and these two weights were used to calculate pre-weaning
growth rate for each animal. This data will be used to select herd bulls using Breedplan when they are
older, but some interesting information can already be gained from it. The data was analysed to see
which factors affect pre-weaning growth rate and the following paper discusses some of the findings of
this study.
Introduction
The live weight of calves at weaning is largely determined by age at weaning, sex and growth rate prior
to weaning. This study reports on the effect of birth weight, month of birth and age of dam on the preweaning growth of calves on an extensive Barkly Tableland property.
Materials and Methods
A herd of 510 Brahman and Brahman/Charbray cross cows mated to calve during September 2012 to
January 2013 were observed during calving at Brunchilly Station on the Barkly Tableland (Northern
Territory). Calves were caught and tagged shortly after birth and their birth weight, birth date, gender,
dam ID and age of dam were recorded. Calves were weighed at the time of weaning (average 170 days
after birth) and their birth date and weight were used to calculate their pre-weaning growth rate.
Data were square transformed and analysed using an ANCOVA which consisted of the main effects: calf
sex, dam age category, month of birth and birth weight as a covariate. All potential interactions were
explored. However, no significant interactions were retained in the final model. Marginal means,
standard errors and pairwise comparisons of means were calculated. All analyses were completed using
Stata, version 12.1.
Results and Discussion
An average pre-weaning growth rate (PWGR) of 888 ± 6.9 S.E. g/d was recorded for the 281 calves that
contributed data in the analysis. PWGR increased as birth weight increased (p=0.004), which is
consistent with the findings of Winks et al. (1978) who reported that, in calves born from Shorthorn cows
in north Queensland, heavier calves at birth grew faster to weaning. This is further supported by the
established genetic correlation between birth and 200 day weights (Bennett and Gregory 1996).
Calves of dams between 11-12 years of age recorded 53.9 ± 17.5 S.E. g/d lower average PWGR than
calves of dams between 5-7 years of age (p=0.008). Sex of calf was significantly associated with PWGR
(p<0.001) with male calves recording a 56.3 ± 14.5 S.E. g/d higher PWGR than female calves.
PWGR was not found to be associated with month of birth in this study (p=0.61) and this is thought to be
because only cows that calved at a favourable time of year were observed. Previous studies have shown
that calves which are born during unfavourable times of the year (during the dry season) display reduced
PWGR (Schatz, 2001).
References
Bennett GL, Gregory KE (1996) Journal of Animal Science 74, 2598-2611.
Schatz TJ (2001) Proceedings of Northern Australian Beef Industry Conference. Kununurra. pp. 71-78.
Winks L, O’Rourke PK, Venamore PC, Tyler R (1978) Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and
Animal Husbandry 18, 494-499.
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 9
CHANGES TO EXPORT PREGNANCY TESTING REQUIREMENTS
Attention Accredited Pregnancy Testers
On 4 July 2013, the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries (DPIF) received notification from the
Australia Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) of changes to the identification and
reporting of the pregnancy status of cattle sourced and presented for export. The Export Advisory Notice
(attached) outlines these requirements. These changes will take effect from 1 August 2013.
The changes follow the review of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) and
reports of discrepancies in the pregnancy status of cattle arriving at export yards, during the voyage and
post arrival in the importing country that have been previously certified as not pregnant by accredited
pregnancy testers.
Under the new requirements, exporters must provide pregnancy or spey declarations that clearly and
individually identify any female cattle that are presented for export, their pregnancy status
(slaughter/feeder and breeder) and stage of pregnancy (breeder) as well as the date that cattle were
pregnancy tested or speyed.
This will require changes in procedures during the preparation of female cattle for export.
Accredited pregnancy testers will need to:
1. Ensure all animals pregnancy tested are individually identified.
2. A record of the pregnancy status for each individual animal is recorded which is linked to their
individual identification.
3. The date that each individual animal is pregnancy tested is recorded.
This information will need to be provided to the exporter. Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFIDs)
and National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) readers should be used for this purpose.
Exporters have requested that a hard copy of this information is provided together with the vendor
declaration.
DAFF have advised that if there is evidence that a pregnancy status declaration is inaccurate; all cattle
identified in that declaration may be re-tested to confirm their pregnancy status and stage of pregnancy.
This non-compliance will be reported to DPIF who may take action to revoke the accreditation for the
individual pregnancy tester.
Therefore please ensure that your pregnancy testing is accurate and recommend that you consider
gaining further training or experience prior to conducting the pregnancy testing procedure for export
cattle if you have recently had cattle returned by exporters. The return of pregnant cattle to the property
of origin has been an expensive and awkward exercise for both the cattle owner and pregnancy tester
and can lead to serious welfare issues that endanger the whole live export program.
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 10
What When & Where
SEPTEMBER
27th-29th September
Brunette Campdraft & Rodeo
Brunette Downs
4th-6th October
Barkly Gold Rush Campdraft
Tennant Creek
5th October
Barkly Rodeo
Tennant Creek
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
5th November
Melbourne Cup
DECEMBER
6th December
NT ASH Awards Dinner
Katherine
HAVE A LAUGH!
Send your jokes to BarklyBeef@nt.gov.au
A highly dangerous virus called “Weekly Overload Recreational Killer”
(WORK) is currently going around. If you come in contact with this
WORK virus, you should immediately go to the nearest “Biological
Anxiety Relief” (BAR) centre to take antidotes known as “WORK
Isolating Neutralizer Extract” (WINE), “Radioactive UnWORK
Medicine” (RUM), “Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter”
(BEER) or “Vaccine Official Depression Killing Antigen” (VODKA).
Please circulate to raise awareness!!!
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 11
Around the Traps
Have you taken a good photo? Send it into barklybeef.dor@nt.gov.au
An inquisitive cow assisting with field work at
Alexandria
Shrubburn Trial in action at Kidman Springs
Tennant Creek Show Cattle section Aggregate
winner: Helen Springs. Pictured: Helen Springs
manager, Chris Towne, with Jane Douglas (DPIF)
Tennant Creek Show Supreme Cattle Exhibit 2013:
Helen Springs, Pen of 2 Heifers 250–350kg
A classroom with a view at Beetaloo during the Barkly Herd Management Forum
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 12
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 13
Barkly House Staff List
BARKLY HOUSE
First Floor, 99 Paterson St
PO Box 159, Tennant Creek, NT, 0861
Fax: (08) 8962 4480
Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
Regional Management
Executive Officer
Administration Officer
Helen Kempe
Skye-Lea Ries
08 8962 4484
08 8962 4488
Regional Stock Inspector
Thomas Haines
Stock Inspector
Greg Maguire
08 8962 4458
M: 0401 113 445
08 8962 4492
M: 0457 517 347
Animal Health
Pastoral Production
Pastoral Production (Maternity Leave)
Pastoral Production Officer
Pastoral Production Officer
Casey Collier
Jane Douglas
Helen McMillan
08 8962 4493
08 8962 4483
08 8962 4493
Barkly Landcare & Conservation Association
Landcare Facilitator
Project Officer (On Leave)
Project Officer
Naomi Wilson
Thomas Grounds
Jon Hodgetts
08 8962 4494
08 8962 4479
08 8962 4485
Drew Gracie
08 8962 4487
Sustainable Farm Practices NT
Caring for our Country Facilitator
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 14
POSTAGE
PAID
AUSTRALIA
If undeliverable, please return to:
Department of Primary Industry &
Fisheries