streeter moves to katherine - futurebeef · streeter moves to katherine after 4.5 years of duty in...

DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES BARKLY BEEF www.nt.gov.au/dor 1

STREETER MOVES TO KATHERINE

After 4.5 years of duty in the Tennant Creek Pastoral Production Team, Sarah Streeter has moved to Katherine. Sarah remains a Beef Research Officer with the Department of Resources (DoR) but will be based at the Katherine Research Station as opposed to the high rise of Tennant Creek, Barkly House. Everyone would have to agree that Sarah’s stint in Tennant Creek lasted much longer than the average and her absence will definitely be felt by many. Most of Sarah’s time in Tennant Creek has been spent managing the MLA funded NT Liveweight Gain Project. This million dollar project involves an extremely high level of management, a huge task to have taken on after just 18 months in the job. However Sarah’s competence, intelligence and desire to have everything ‘just right’ has ensured the smooth running (most of the time) of the project over the past few years which will continue until its completion in 2012. In the Barkly region, Sarah has also been involved in a range of other activities and projects including the organisation of the Tennant Creek Show, Barkly Beef, the Carrying Capacity Project and is the current Secretariat of BRAC to name a few.

• Streeter to Katherine

• Who’s New in the Zoo?

• TC & District Show

• Barkly Beef Dinner

• Helen Springs PDS

• BRAC Report

• NTCA Operations Manual

• Tick Fever Project

• Cyber Geek

• Barkly GLM

• NT Seed/Fodder Production

• Balancing Pasture Supply & Feed Demand

• HGP Story: Part 3

• Learn Your Plants

• Rain on the Rangelands

• Nuffield Scholarships

• Media Releases

• Farmer Health

• VRRS Field Day

• Around the Traps

• Important Notices

• What, When & Where

• In the Spotlight

• Tastes of the Tablelands

• PMU ISSN: 1325-9539

JUNE 2010


We wish Sarah the best of luck with her move to Katherine and look forward to seeing her back in the region soon. Also despite what the photo may suggest, she is not overjoyed to be leaving Tennant Creek…just enjoying the beauty of the Barkly while she still can. Words from the Barkly… “It was always good to catch up with Sarah whether it be on the station or in town. Always happy and helpful and committed to her work and the industry in general. Sarah’s rural background was a real plus and she had a genuine interest in the Barkly and the industry. I am pleased that we have not lost her completely, she is just re-locating within the NT. Thanks for all your help Sarah and all the best for the future. Sarah, you and Dan will always be welcome at Avon Downs.” Ross Peatling, Manager – Alexandria

WHO’S NEW IN THE ZOO? Casey is yet another Queenslander and another UQ Graduate to join the Department of Resources team in Tennant Creek. After finishing grade 12 in 2005 in North Brisbane, Casey moved onto halls of residence at the University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus. Here she completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science, majoring in Rural Management.

During her third year at uni, Casey completed a 16 week industrial placement at Brian Pastures (BP), a 2000ha Research Station near Gayndah, in the Central Burnett region of Queensland. While at BP, Casey worked on projects funded by the Beef Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies investigating the lifetime reproductive performance of breeding cows (Tropical Composites) and ways to improve live-weight gain through the adaptation of conventional methods and the use of novel feeds such as Algae. While at BP, Casey also completed a

study on the effect of liveweight, rib fat and rump fat at first mating on subsequent reproductive performance. During her final year at uni, Casey also worked with a group of students and the QPI&F (DEEDI) on a project that investigated the feasibility of a national horse identification system in the pleasure and performance industry. Casey is keen to learn about all the projects currently being undertaken on the Barkly and surrounding regions as well as meet all the fantastic people involved. Contact Details: Casey Collier P: (08) 8962 4493 F: (08) 8962 4480 E: [email protected]

HHHHAAAAVVVVE AAAA LLLLAAAAUUUUGHHHH! Send your jokes to [email protected] The hospital's consulting dietician was giving a lecture to several community nurses from Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. 'The rubbish we put into our stomachs and consume should have killed most of us

sitting here, years ago. Fizzy drinks attack your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with msg. Vegetables can be disastrous because of fertilisers and pesticides and none of us realises the long-term damage being

done by the rotten bacteria in our drinking water. However, there is one food that is incredibly dangerous and we all have, or will, eat it at some time in our lives. Now, is anyone here able to tell me what food it is that

causes the most grief and suffering for years after eating it?'

A 65-year-old nursing sister sitting in the front row stood up and said, 'Wedding cake.'

LWG Project data collection at Wave Hill Station

Getting into the swing of things


HELEN SPRINGS PRODUCER DEMONSTRATION SITE Cassie Duggan, Technical Officer, DoR Tennant Creek

Record keeping to boost production and profit – Herd segregation & grazing land management on the Barkly

As input costs increase and the concept of ‘profit’ becomes a distant memory, it is essential that beef producer’s are using the most efficient processes possible to give their business the best chance of future viability. In the extensive cattle industry the benefit and value of record keeping for the generation of objective information is generally not realised. Despite it’s relevance to every day decision making, it is often considered too difficult or habits are too deeply entrenched to allow for change. A result can be that animal and land resources may be under or over utilised. The MLA funded Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) based at Helen Springs will aim to showcase the benefits of record keeping for better decision-making on the breeder herd, a practice the station has been undertaking on an individual animal basis for the past 2 years. The herd segregation program implemented on Helen Springs will also be documented in the PDS. The introduction of the Gallagher SmartTSi data collection system on the station has helped manage large amounts of data and improve ease of management of the herd segregation program. The PDS will provide station owners/managers with an ‘open-book’ look into how a Barkly station has taken animal data recording to a higher level, and how breeder segregation can be implemented for improving production efficiencies. Breeder segregation is aimed at improving herd productivity and optimising carrying capacity and land condition. Braithwaite & de Witte (1999) covered the advantages of such a system in their article ‘A practical management template for improved decision-making in north Australian beef cattle production’. The system originated from the need to reduce mortalities in out-of-season calvers (cows that calve in the dry season months). The major benefits of the system include: • Identifying the most profitable groups of cows (those calving as early as possible in the wet season)

through pregnancy testing and lactation scoring (wet/dry) during first round muster (Braithwaite & de Witte, 1999).

• The ability to target supplementation programs to the various calving groups depending on what time of year they are lactating. This significantly reduces supplement costs.

• Maintaining a cow’s body condition to allow her to reconceive as soon as possible (through targeted supplementation and paddock allocation) (Braithwaite & de Witte, 1999).

• Ability to more accurately select for higher fertility in cows and heifers (ie. Identify cows that are weaning a calf every 12 months) (Braithwaite & de Witte, 1999).

• Ability to manage a drought or seasonal change quickly because cows are in calving groups. • Ability to plan next year’s turn-off and cash flow accurately. • Flexibility to change with markets and seasonal conditions. In addition to demonstrating record keeping on the breeder herd, the PDS will also demonstrate the importance of grazing land management and measuring the production capability of each paddock. Pasture observations are being undertaken on all paddocks being used for the segregation program. Forage budgeting will ensure that the paddocks are stocked at a rate suitable to achieving sustainable pasture utilisation to maintain good land condition. This information will also allow manager Geoff Murrell to rank his paddocks from best to poorest condition in order to allocate calving groups based on their nutritional demand. By highlighting the benefits of breeder segregation and linking this to sound grazing land management practices, it is hoped that producers in the region will come to appreciate the value of collecting objective information and applying this to the decision making and property planning process. The project has been reviewed and endorsed by the Barkly Research Advisory Committee (BRAC) and the supporting producer group is Barkly Landcare & Conservation Association (BLCA). The project is funded by MLA. Reference Braithwaite, I. & de Witte, KW., 1999. A practical management template for improved decision-making in North Australian beef cattle production. In Australian Association Cattle Veterinarians Conference Proceedings. Hobart, Australia 16-21 May 1999. pp. 250-261

For more information: Cassie Duggan P: (08) 8962 4483 E: [email protected]


REPORT ON NABRC AND NBIC MEETING 15th

- 18th

MARCH 2010, PERTH Well, it’s what I would call a baptism of fire – my first BRAC meeting in Tennant Creek one week and off to chilly Perth the following week for the NABRC and NBIC meetings. Fortunately, the existing members and other attendees were very welcoming. There were three other new members Michael DeLong – Kimberley, Robert Jansen – West Qld, and Dan Lynch – North West Qld. NBIC or Northern Beef Industry Committee is made up of all the chairpersons from the different NABRC regions and the MLA representatives. The function of NBIC is to design and manage R&D projects, oversee R&D funding and expenditure and communicate project results to industry. NBIC will hold another meeting in August and there will be an additional two subcommittee meetings at which Keith Holwart (Katherine) will attend as the NT representative. Some of the projects which were discussed and approved included:

1. An investigation of factors associated with divergent post-weaning live weight gain in northern Australian beef cattle. This trial is following on from the work from the NT Liveweight Gain Project. Broadly – a group of weaners selected on high or low dry season growth will be taken to the Katherine Research Station where they will be split into feeding treatments of low protein or high protein hay (simulating dry season and wet season pasture nutrition). Different parameters measured are hoped to give some indication for the divergence in live weight gain.

2. An investigation of Omega 3 and 6 levels in cattle grazing green forage crops and pastures. An initial producer demonstration has shown promising results and this trial will continue with testing of the samples already collected. If the the results are positive and there is further comprehensive testing and analysis, there may be potential for niche marketing groups.

Jane Weatherley from MLA, gave an overview of the communication and research adoption of the 2009/10 program, the key activities delivered, the achievements and the priorities for 2010-15. An interesting result of some of these activities was that PDS projects have influenced 53% of participants to make changes to their management. Activities which MLA are hoping to present in the Barkly region (Tennant Creek, Barkly Homestead or Camooweal) include the Beef Up Forum. The Beef Up Forum focuses on the key profit drivers of beef businesses and sustainability practices that can make a real difference to your bottom line, including:

• How to improve reproductive performance • How to improve liveweight gain • Grazing land management

Updates presented were Live Export R&D given by David Beattie and the Northern Grazing System projects by Mick Quirk. Phase 1 of the NGS will have best practice options for each study region, including the Barkly tablelands for infrastructure development, managing stock rates, pasture spelling and prescribed burning. Project updates included the trialling of Gonacom and Pokeweed for chemical spaying, protection issues of the rumen bug against leucaena toxicity, increasing awareness and use of phosphorous in the wet season; pestivirus and neosporsa; a number of weeds projects including rubber bush, rust fungi and dieback in Parkinsonia and control agents for Prickly Acacia; use of unmanned aerial vehicles for mapping weeds and deploying herbicides and precision livestock management programs, including taggle tags for geo location, walk over weighing, image classification, virtual fencing and two water quality projects – high salt and algae contamination and water medication and problems.


NTCA OPERATIONS MANUAL

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN!!!

OH&S…DO YOU COMPLY? The Operations Manual is an online tool which has been designed for NTCA members to help them meet their OHS responsibilities. The manual is a first step in meeting OHS compliance and has been designed as an integrated business management approach. It has been broken down into several sections and structured in a user-friendly way to help guide the user through to specific areas.

This manual has been compiled and provided in good faith and while every effort has been taken to ensure that all information is accurate and relevant, the NTCA takes no responsibility for how the manual is implemented and users are urged to seek independent advice if necessary in relation to any part of the contents of the manual.

You can access each section by clicking on one the following links at http://www.ntca.org.au/secure01/opsmanual.html:

1. Introduction

2. Station Operations Kit

3. Employee Induction Kit

4. Other information

REPORT ON NABRC AND NBIC MEETING 15th

-18th

MARCH 2010, PERTH cont… The NABRC meeting was held over a day and a half and followed immediately on from the NIBIC meeting. Numerous industry stakeholders gave informative presentations, representatives covered areas from the Beef Genetics CRC, CSIRO Sustainable ecosystems, CSIRO livestock industries, Dept of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), NT Dept of Resources (NT DoR), University of Queensland, Rangelands Australia, WA Department of Agriculture and food, James Cook University, Agforce, PGA, Red Meat Co-investment committee (RMCIC) and the MLA. At the request of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council, a National Beef Production Research, Development and Extension Strategy, has been developed by the RMCIC. MLA and DEEDI have been the lead agencies in the development of this strategy. NABRAC has also endorsed the strategy and has accepted its proposed enhanced role in implementation and monitoring of the strategy, but will not be involved at a project operational level. There will also be a NABRAC representative at RMCIC meetings and they will have a standing agenda item at all future meetings to discuss, review and monitor the strategy. The final day consisted of a field trip to an opportunity feedlot and a new saleyards complex. The cattle in the feedlot were fed with self feeders with the feed consisting of the outside of lupins; the inside was used for poultry and fish food, crushed barley and hay. We then visited the Taj Mahal of saleyards, with the accommodation provided for the sheep and cattle better than some motels I have stayed in. The Muchea Livestock Centre was not quite completed and was expected to have a total cost of $56 million. The area under roof is approximately 5.2 ha, and has a water catchment area large enough to be self sufficient. The floor is covered with 175mm of a bark/sawdust mix and this is turned over every 2 weeks and sprinkled once a week. The main cattle area will have a capacity of 2000 head for sale and 1000 head for transhipment. The calf sale area will have a capacity of 800 head. The cattle receival and load out area will each have a capacity of 800 head. There is also a sheep sale area. Each beast is individually weighed and there are three drafts, each with a four way draft. Finally, John Cox has tendered his resignation as NABRAC Chair, effective at the conclusion of the August 2010 meeting. The next meeting date will be advised shortly. Di Sorley Sarah Streeter BRAC Chairperson BRAC Secretariat Ph: 07 4748 4877 Ph: (08) 8973 9750 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]


TICK FEVER PROJECT Sue Fitzpatrick, Senior Veterinary Officer, DoR Darwin

The Department of Resources will be working with Biosecurity Queensland’s Tick Fever Centre this year on a project to gain current information on diseases transmitted by the cattle tick. Cattle will be tested for exposure to tick fever organisms including Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria. The information will be provided to producers in Northern Australia to assist with making decisions relating to managing the risk of disease.

The project will include:

1. A breed susceptibility trial to look at the risk of tick fever developing in particular breeds of cattle including composites of these breeds. This will be conducted at the Tick Fever Centre.

2. A serosurvey to look at the exposure to tick fever. This will be conducted in northern Queensland, Northern Territory and hopefully also in Kimberley region of WA.

3. Identifying the risk of tick fever on properties and in cattle moving to other properties and options to manage the risk.

The only survey to examine Anaplasma and Babesia exposure in Northern Territory was conducted in 1992-1994 on 19 properties (Pinch and Radunz, 1994). Since then there have been a number of changes in northern operations that could potentially impact on the risk of tick fever including changes in cattle tick distribution, breed composition, cattle tick control strategies and movement associated with market access. The project will be enlisting the help of producers, veterinarians, exporters, and agents to explore various factors that contribute to the change in risk status. The serosurvey will involve the collection of blood from 30 unvaccinated homebred cattle aged 12-18 months and the completion of a questionnaire relating to some basic management and movement practices. In addition, the blood will be tested for exposure to three other diseases; Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL),

Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV or pestivirus) and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis virus (IBR). These results can be used to support the declarations made by Northern Territory Veterinary Officers, Livestock Biosecurity Officers and producers on the animal health status of properties for consignments of cattle for live export.

Cyber Geek – Website of Interest Website: Feral Camel Management Project Address: www.feralcamels.com.au

What information does it provide? This is the interim website for the Feral Camel Management Project. This site is provided to make information available while the full site is developed.

The Feral Camel Management Project addresses the urgent need to significantly reduce feral camel numbers so as to lessen their impacts in remote Australia on biodiversity, wetlands, water holes and sites of cultural value to Aboriginal people, infrastructure (fences, houses, cars) and personal safety.

The website covers recent Media/News, Publications, Maps, Contact details, the camel industry itself and it also gives you the opportunity to report any camels you may have seen.

This project is funded under the Australian Government ‘Caring for our Country’ program.

For further information: Sue Fitzpatrick P: (08) 8999 2123 E: [email protected]


GRAZING LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM – COMING TO THE BARKLY! Whitney Dollemore, GLM Officer, Katherine

“The most valuable thing I got from GLM was a better understanding of how science and technology can help you make better decisions.”

The Grazing Land Management (GLM) program is designed to provide land managers with a process to develop and implement GLM strategies that optimise land condition and production. The program includes the GLM workshop which delivers region specific GLM principles and tools. This is backed up by the GLM Officer, dedicated to assisting producers apply the GLM concepts to their own pastoral operations. In Central Australia and the Katherine region the GLM Program has been successfully running for the past three years. In 2010 the GLM program will be extended into the Barkly Region as a result of funding received through the ‘Caring For Our Country’ program. It is anticipated that a GLM workshop, customised for the Barkly, will be held in the region by November 2010. A GLM workshop covers topics such as:

� Assessing land condition � Calculating land type carrying capacity and stocking rates � How to influence the type & amount of plant cover in your

pastures, use of water and cycling of nutrients � Anticipating and responding to variations in rainfall, land

type and land condition � Planning & determining the financial impacts of

implementing GLM options

NT FODDER & SEED PRODUCTION 2008-2009 Arthur Cameron, Principal Pastures & Extension Agronomist, DoR Darwin

The Primary Industry Group of DoR conducted a survey to estimate fodder (hay and silage) and seed production in the Northern Territory during 2008 and 2009. These figures include the significant amount of mulching hay made in the Darwin Rural area. The figures are tabulated below. In 2008, hay and silage both declined, while seed production increased. The decline in fodder production was the result of below average seasons in some districts, and the change of ownership, management and enterprise focus of a number of properties. The value of the hay and silage produced was estimated at $9.61 m and the seed at $0.656 m. In 2009, hay production bounced back from a poor year in 2008, while seed production declined. The increase in fodder production lead to some producers not selling all of their hay, and having to store hay over the wet season The value of the hay produced is estimated at $13.32 m and the seed at $0.71.

For further information:

Whitney Dollemore

GLM Officer

P: (08) 8973 9749

E: [email protected]

Feed Hay Production in 2008 & 2009

throughout the NT

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These figures represent the majority of the production in the NT in 2008 and 2009 (See Figure 1 & Table 1). The districts listed are the Australian Bureau of Statistics districts. Table 1: Hay, silage and seed production in the NT by District (tonnes) in 2008

Feed Hay Silage Mulch Hay Seed District

2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009

Alligator 540 1110

Barkly & Central NT 4620 8200

Daly 9930 19230 4000 130 45 49

Litchfield Shire 6060 7780 2300 2470

Lower Top End 19160 28900 40 97.5 20.4

Total 40310 65220 4040 2430 2470 142.50 69.4

These figures were compiled with the assistance of Departmental Officers Coral Allan (Alice Springs) & Harmony James (Tennant Creek) in 2008 and Coral Allan & Cassie Duggan (Tennant Creek) in 2009.

BALANCING PASTURE SUPPLY & FEED DEMAND Dionne Walsh, Rangeland Program Co-ordinator, DoR Darwin

Key Messages

• Pasture in good land condition is the most valuable asset on a station. • Land condition declines when there is a chronic mismatch between pasture supply and animal demand. • Demand and supply can be monitored by calculating utilisation rate. • In the Barkly region, matching demand to supply to stay below an average utilisation rate of 30% for

Mitchell grass pastures appears to be sustainable. What is Your Pasture Asset Worth? If I was to ask you what the most valuable assets are on your station, I bet land, cattle and infrastructure would be high on the list. But what about your pasture asset? The graph below shows the amount of pasture eaten by a typical 250 head breeder herd in one paddock in the NT. A herd this size eats up to 1,800 tonnes of pasture a year! To help visualise what this means, this is equivalent to about 9,000 round-bales of hay. Imagine having to push 9,000 bales off a truck each year just to feed the cattle in one paddock. The dollar values above the columns represent the cost of this feed if you had to buy it as bales of native grass hay – which makes this pasture worth up to $320,000 a year for this paddock. Thus, the pasture on an average sized station is worth several million dollars - each and every year.

$183,560

$257,162

$280,429

$316,946 $313,490

$291,100

$187,586

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Balancing Supply & Demand to Look After Your Pasture Asset The following graph shows pasture supply and demand for a 150km² black soil paddock on the Barkly. When we put supply (pasture growth) and demand (cattle intake) on the same graph, it’s obvious that the cattle don’t eat anywhere near the amount feed that grows in any given year. Demand never exceeds supply – that must be sustainable, right?................ In fact, we can’t tell whether this stocking regime is sustainable just by looking at the pasture growth and intake figures. To do this, we need to calculate the intake as a fraction of how much pasture grew each year. This is called the UTILISATION RATE:

Total Pasture Eaten (kg)

Utilisation Rate (%) = ---------------------------------

Total Pasture Grown (kg)

The following graph shows the growth and intake data from the example above when it is turned into utilisation rates. As you can see, the utilisation rate waxes and wanes over the years. In good seasons, when pasture growth is high (e.g. 1999/2000 and 2005/06), utilisation rates are quite low. The paddock was spelled in 2000/01, so the utilisation rate was zero. In the poor wet season of 2007/08 the utilisation rate shot up because the pasture growth was poor but the number of cattle in the paddock wasn’t reduced.

Pasture Supply versus Animal Demand

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Utilisation Rates for a Mitchell Grass Paddock

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Utilisation Rate % Average UR Whole Pdk (99-08)


The Department of Resources has data indicating that the long-term sustainable utilisation rate for productive Mitchell grass cracking clay soils in good land condition in the Barkly is up to 30%. The average utilisation rate of 15% over the ten years on the above graph is well within this figure and demonstrates skilful management of supply and demand. The monthly stocking rates in this paddock ranged from 0 to 19 adult equivalents per square kilometre (with an average of 4.3AE/km²). Out in the paddock, a grazing regime achieving 15% utilisation in a Mitchell grass paddock in good condition translates to: • Plenty of palatable, productive, long-lived grasses. • An excellent response to rainfall (‘the country really jumps

away’). • Little to no erosion. • Very few woody weeds. • Excellent cattle performance. • Less variable cattle performance on an annual basis. Utilisation Rate Can Be Monitored & Managed Cattle producers generally can’t influence the pasture supply of the equation very much, but they can manage the demand side. The first step is to calculate a long-term sustainable benchmark carrying capacity for your paddock/s based on land type, land condition and watered area. This gives a figure around which annual stock numbers can be tweaked depending on the seasonal conditions. Calculating a forage budget at the end of the growing season each year allows you to “fine tune” your stocking policy and gives you the opportunity to react early to a potential shortfall in pasture supply. Carrying capacity estimates and forage budgets thus allow you to protect your valuable pasture asset and maximise the per head productivity of your cattle. For assistance with developing a carrying capacity estimate for your property or doing a forage budget, please contact the Pastoral Production team at Tennant Creek or Katherine Research Station on (08) 8973 9763.

HGP PART 3: GETTING SOME MUSCLE FOR YOUR BUCK Trisha Cowley, Pastoral Production Officer, DoR Katherine

Key principles when designing HGP programs

Hormone Growth Promotants (HGPs) are a cheap method of increasing liveweight gain if used correctly. In previous articles we looked at the importance of matching the active ingredients (androgens and oestrogens) and delivery system (compressed pellets or silicon) with your management system, and also correct implantation procedures. In this article we will look at some of the broader considerations when developing a HGP program.

Key principles of implant programs

There are several key principles underlying successful HGP strategies in northern Australia which are important to understand when designing your program.

1. Animals need to be growing

HGPs increase the growth rate of the animal. If the animal is only maintaining or losing weight, the HGP will not be effective – that is, it will not increase the animal’s growth rate. Weaners will typically go through weight loss or maintenance (in the Katherine region) from weaning until the wet (see Table 1), so HGPs will not be effective until they start growing again. Research has found that while HGPs will not negatively impact on liveweight loss (i.e. increase weight loss), neither will they slow it.

Table 1: Average daily gains (ADG) for round one weaner males at Kidman Springs.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Average for all years

Dry ADG (May to Sept)

-0.02 -0.01 -0.07 -0.15 0.02 -0.05 -0.05

Wet ADG (Sept – May)

0.50 0.60 0.64 0.40 0.56 0.43 0.52

Yearly ADG 0.30 0.34 0.37 0.22 0.36 0.25 0.31


Dionne Walsh

Rangeland Program Co-ordinator P: (08) 8999 2178 E: [email protected]


2. The rate of hormone release declines over the life of the implant

HGPs typically release large amounts of hormone in the first days and weeks of implantation, with the rate of hormone release declining over the life of the implant. To get the most bang for your buck it is recommended, where possible, to try to time peak hormone release with peak growth rates.

3. Once you start, don’t stop

Once a HGP program has been started on an animal, it should be maintained until slaughter to ensure that any liveweight gain advantages are not lost. Studies have found that the liveweight gain advantage of implanted cattle over non-implanted cattle dwindles once the implant’s functional life is over.

For example, a study in Queensland compared animals implanted for the whole year versus those only implanted during the wet or not at all. While the group implanted for the wet season grew more rapidly during the wet, by the end of the dry their weight was similar to those that were not implanted at all and was significantly less than those implanted all year round. This suggests that one-off implants of animals will be a waste of time and money unless the animal is turned off shortly after the end of the implant’s functional life, as any liveweight gain advantage will be lost.

The problem with lifetime strategies is hormone wastage during periods where the implant is functional but not impacting on growth due to poor nutritional conditions. If animals are going to be turned off after the wet, it may be best to implant them just prior to the wet. Obviously it won’t always be possible to re-muster animals specifically for this purpose; hence the use of a long acting HGP at handling will ensure that an active implant will take immediate advantage of any positive change in seasonal conditions.

4. Use more shorter acting implants

Liveweight gain response to implantation is greater when implantation is more frequent, providing animals are under continual growth. Queensland research found that four Compudose 100 implants compared to one Compudose 400 led to a 19kg weight gain advantage for the more frequent implant program. The graph below shows the hormone release from the two HGP strategies used in the Queensland trial. As you can see, HGPs typically work by releasing large amounts of the hormone in the early stage of implantation, and then plateau. By using the shorter acting HGPs you are effectively increasing the time period where larger amounts of hormone are being released. Obviously, the costs of extra musters and handling must be taken into account when determining if this is a more profitable strategy than using longer acting products.

Figure 1: Estimated daily output of oestradiol from implants over the experimental period

(Source R.A. Hunter et al (2000) Sustained growth promotion, carcass characteristics and meat quality of steers treated with oestradiol-17β. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 51, 133-138)

Tough chewing

While HGPs are effective in increasing growth rates, they do have a negative impact on meat quality. Research has shown that the greater the cumulative dose of hormone, the larger negative impact on meat tenderness. This is particularly relevant for those supplying niche markets which highly value traits such as marbling.

Key: ____ = Compudose 100 ……. = Compudose 400


What is the most profitable strategy?

The best way to determine what will be the most profitable program involves actually comparing the weight gains and costs of different HGP strategies. Obviously this involves some time and effort, but as the old saying goes – you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Little work has been done on HGPs in the NT, particularly comparing the cost effectiveness of different strategies. A producer demonstration site is commencing this year at Hayfield Station which will compare profitability of the following strategies:

□ No HGP

□ Compudose 400 implanted in round 1

□ Compudose 200 implanted in rounds 1 & 2

□ Compudose 200 implanted in round 2

The project has been funded by MLA, DoR and Elanco and will measure the weight gains of 440 steers over two years while also doing an economic analysis.

Some recommendations…

There is no “one size fits all” HGP program, as your current management, the markets you are accessing, seasonal conditions and mustering costs will determine what best suits your situation in a given year. However, some broad recommendations can guide your decisions:

• Where weight gain is expected throughout the dry, then the use of a greater number of shorter acting implants will lead to superior weight gains compared to fewer longer acting implants. NB: Costs of mustering and rehandling must be taken into account when determining if this is actually a more profitable strategy.

• Weaners will typically go through weight loss or maintenance (in the Katherine region) from weaning until the first rains, so HGPs will not be effective until the animals start growing again. Where re-mustering of animals before the wet is not feasible, the use of long acting HGPs will still lead to improved weight gains.

• Don’t let a significant time lapse occur between the end of an implant’s active life and re-implantation or sale, otherwise the weight gain advantages will be lost.

• Where possible try to time peak hormone release with peak nutrition to get the highest weight gains from the HGP.

Decisions whether to, what to and when to implant should be based on the animal’s weight and the expected time until turnoff. For example, you may have a rule for implantation in round 1 where anything that is expected to be turned off that year is given a shorter acting implant, and those not expected to be turned off until the next year be given a longer acting implant.

HHHHAAAAVVVVE AAAA LLLLAAAAUUUUGHHHH! Send your jokes to [email protected]

An American farmer was on holiday in New South Wales. At lunch time he dropped into a pub and fell into easy conversation with a property owner. 'How big is your spread?' asked the American. 'Well it's about 1000 acres he said'. ‘Only 1000 acres?’ the American responded, ‘Back in Texas I

can get up at sunrise, saddle my horse and ride all day, when I return at supper time, I'll be lucky to cover half my farm'.

‘Ah that’s a bugger mate’, said the Aussie, 'I once had a horse like that…sent him to the knackers.'


Trisha Cowley

Pastoral Production Officer P: (08) 8973 9770 E: [email protected]


LEARN YOUR PLANTS Source: Purdie, Materne, Bubb, ‘BLCA’s Plants of the Barkly Region’ In each issue of Barkly Beef we will profile two of the region’s plant species. Hopefully this will enable you to more readily identify the pasture plants contributing (or not) to the growth of your cattle.

PEA-BUSH (Sesbania sp.)

Family: Fabaceae Where is it found? Purple Pea-bush – Grows in depressions in grey and black cracking clay plains; Yellow Pea-bush – Occurs on flood-plains and in depressions in black cracking clay soil

Purple Pea-bush

(Sesbania brachycarpa)

Yellow Pea-bush

(Sesbania chippendalei)

Annual forb or shrub Annual forb or shrub

Height: Up to 2.5m Height: Up to 2.5m high

Leaves: Up to 20cm long,

consist of 12-28 pairs of

leaflets, each 1.1-2.5cm long

Leaves: 7-18cm long, consist of

pairs of leaflets, 0.9-1.5cm long

and 0.2-0.5cm wide

Flowers: The white to pale

purple pea flowers are

produced on spikes 3.5-10cm

long.

Flowers: Bright yellow pea

flowers are on spikes

containing 6-10 flowers

Pods: Straight or curved and

slender, 8-18cm long

Pods: Mottled and narrow, 4-

10cm long, occur in clusters

Moderately palatable when

green

Moderately palatable to stock;

Crude Protein = 15 - 25%;

Phosphorus = 0.12 - 0.21%

FLINDERS GRASS (Iseilema sp.) Family: Poaceae Where is it found? Tall Flinders - Grows in black cracking clay soils in wetter areas; Flinders - Grows in black clay soils, usually in association with Mitchell grasses; Small Flinders – Occurs in black clay soils and medium textured red earths; Red Flinders – Occurs in black cracking clay soils and medium textured red earths.

Above Left: Note the dried of Flinders species (reddish colour) spread throughout the Mitchell Grass

Tall Flinders

(Iseilema calvum)

Flinders

(Iseilema fragile)

Small Flinders

(Iseilema membranaceum)

Red Flinders

(Iseilema vaginiflorum)

Tufted annual grass,

matures to red colour

Slender, tufted annual grass Small, slender annual grass,

matures to reddish brown colour

Annual grass with reddish stems,

matures to reddish colour

Height: 15 - 75cm Height: 10-20cm Height: Up to 30cm Height: 45-60cm

Leaves: Bluish green, 10-

25cm long, 0.3-0.6cm wide,

flat/folded with a pointed tip

Leaves: 3-7cm long, 0.2-0.4cm

wide, usually flat and pointed

at the tip

Leaves: 2-20cm long, 0.2-0.5cm

wide, usually flat

Leaves: Smooth, usually hairless

and flat, 4-12cm long, 0.2-0.6cm

wide

Seed heads: Leafy & approx.

5cm long

Seed heads: Dense & compact Seed heads: Up to 18cm long

Spikelets: Fertile spikelets 6-

7mm long (bent awn)

surrounded by leafy

structure formed by sterile

Spikelets: Awns 1.6-2.5cm

long, break off easily when

mature, unlike other species –

have cylindrical bases

Spikelets: In dense clusters, small

spikelets are rough and have

slender awns, 1.2-1.5cm long

Seed heads & Spikelets: Densely

packed with spikelets, usually

enclosed within the flower

sheath and have protruding

brown, bent, twisted awns, 1.5-

2cm long


Tall Flinders

(Iseilema calvum)

Flinders

(Iseilema fragile)

Small Flinders

(Iseilema membranaceum)

Red Flinders

(Iseilema vaginiflorum)

spikelets

Readily grazed when green Highly palatable to stock, good

nutritional value when green

but drops rapidly as it dries

One of the most palatable of the

Flinders grasses, has good

nutritional value when green

Palatable to stock when both

green and dry, nutritional value

is good when green but drops off

rapidly as it dries

Crude Protein = 3 - 9%


Crude Protein = 2.2 - 9%


Digestibility to 50%

Energy = 4.1 – 7.6 MJ/kg



Digestibility to 39 - 56%




Digestibility 40 - 50%


‘RAIN ON THE RANGELANDS’ CONFERENCE September 2010 – Bourke, NSW

The next Biennial Conference will be held in Bourke, New South Wales, 26-30 September 2010. This popular conference brings together managers, carers and users of rangeland resources for discussion of 'hot topics' and current

rangeland issues. The conference will feature the latest research and development and the synthesis and application of knowledge.

The theme for the upcoming Conference is 'rain on the rangelands'. Water issues have become increasingly important for the nation and the drylands in particular. Bourke, on the bank of the Darling River, is an ideal and iconic location, to discuss rain and water. Climate variability is very high here and strongly influences the conduct of

rangeland businesses. The allocation of river water to cropping businesses, towns and wetlands in these drylands is strongly debated and policies are changing. Bourke, a major town in the dryland portion of the Murray-Darling Basin, is being affected (socially and economically) by changes to water allocations. The first day of the Conference will be field trips to local sites to see and hear about the issues.

In addition to keynote addresses on rain and water issues, the Conference will also feature cutting edge research and developments in a range of topics including Indigenous communities, precision pastoralism, resource restoration, sustainability indicators, wetland conservation, pest management and marginal cropping. The Conference will as usual provide the venue for discussion of any rangeland topic. The call for posters and talks has now been issued.

Download a flyer: http://www.austrangesoc.com.au/site/whatson_conference.php

For further information, please contact conference organiser: Natalie Bramble Management (02) 6884 4654 / [email protected]


NUFFIELD AUSTRALIA FARMING SCHOLARSHIPS Nuffield Australia is proud to announce the opening of applications for its 2011 Farming Scholarships. A Nuffield Scholarship offers successful applicants a six week global focus program after which scholars will pursue their individual study topic for a further 10 weeks. With support from the Department of Resources and ANZ Bank, a scholarship to the value of $28,000 is available for a Northern Territory primary producer. This NT specific scholarship is only offered every three years, and there are a number of other scholarships

that NT producers can apply for. You are eligible for an Australian Nuffield Farming Scholarship if you are: � An Australian citizen � Engaged in farming as an owner or

manager or an active member of a farming business

� Intending to remain involved in primary production in Australia

� Aged between 28 and 40 (Nuffield understands that there may be people outside this age range who would benefit from the scholarship experience. We encourage them to apply).

Applications close June 30 2010.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Nuffield Australia: Phone: 03 5480 0755 or [email protected] Application forms can be downloaded from the website: www.nuffield.com.au

MEDIA RELEASES New Online Ordering Option for NLIS Tags

In a first for the Australian livestock industry, farmers can now order NLIS tags on-line directly from tag manufacturer at www.datamars.com.au. The innovative on-line ordering system launched on 15 March across Australia, features a reseller account option which enables graziers to have tags billed back through their accounts at their own local participating reseller if required. As it can be lodged immediately, this new ordering system will increase livestock producer’s efficiency by speeding up the time usually taken to order tags. According to DATAMARS Sales and Marketing Manager, Mr Tim Scott, the innovative ordering approach seemed to be a logical progression. “NLIS is a national on-line database system, the tags used within the system should then be able to be bought on-line.” Cattle producers in more isolated areas agree, “It would suit us to buy everything on line if we could, not just tags. It just makes so much sense in our operation”, said Robin Carmichael, “Lochinvar” Augathella, Qld. NSW, based cattle producer, Mr Geoff Hunter of Kinetic Cattle Company, Narrabri found the on-line ordering system straightforward and very easy to use. “I liked the clear concise steps set out, and the fact I could design my own management tags,” he said. Mr Scott believes the new ordering service will suit farmers presently affected by wet seasonal conditions.” The new online ordering system has been set up as a result of requests directly from farmers,” he said. “Producers can order from their home office making this a good wet weather job.’


“The DATAMARS on-line ordering system offers the best of both worlds for producers wanting to order their tags from the comfort of their office for fast, efficient delivery whilst still supporting their local store”, said Mr Scott. “We are committed to providing a proven, high-retention quality product with easy ordering options. We are a regionally based business and like our customers, pride ourselves on that.” “Although the Rumitag NLIS Tags were extremely successful when last marketed in ‘07 & ‘08, DATAMARS is well aware that they are now essentially new entrants in a market where competitors have a strangle-hold on the traditional merchandise store system. We will find that hard to break unless we do things differently. It is in the interests of competition and of the industry as a whole that we continue to be innovative to service farmers and rural stores better,” said Mr Scott. Legislative requirements still apply in terms of PIC code checking and Datamars have a 1300 fax line providing a paperwork link should NLIS application forms be required. Once an initial order has been placed, this information plus preferences on numbering sequences for NLIS tags and print layouts for visual management tags occurs automatically for subsequent orders. Mr Scott has already had positive feedback from producers and resellers who have ordered their NLIS tags online. For more information: Tim Scott Sales & Marketing Manager, Datamars Australia P: 07 5488 4563 / M: 0427 633 623 / F: 07 5488 4569 [email protected] www.datamars.com.au

Middle East demanding wider range of Aussie red meat cuts 8/03/2010

Middle East demand for Australian red meat was reinforced last week with a record contingent of Australian red meat exporters participating in the region’s largest food tradeshow – Gulfood.

Lachlan Bowtell, MLA Regional Manager – Middle East/North Africa, said the 22 exporters participating in the event from 21-24 February received enormous interest.

“The tradeshow allowed exporters to meet with current customers and set supply schedules for the coming 12 months. As well as cementing relationships with existing customers, there were plenty of new inquiries, including from non-traditional markets and products, including goatmeat,” Mr Bowtell said. “The strong demand for Australia’s products was very encouraging to see. But the two overriding factors that will dictate the trade to the Middle East going forward are the Australian dollar and Australia’s ability to supply, particularly sheepmeat,” said Mr Bowtell.

Australia’s supply constraints have been causing the trade to re-think the way the carcase is utilised.

“At Gulfood there was a notable shift in focus, with some exporters working with customers to develop cuts-based supply programs rather than whole carcase, to assist in spreading around the available product,” Mr Bowtell said.

Australia’s food safety and Halal certification programs are highly regarded in the region, with an enormous amount of trust being placed in these systems by local governments and importers. “Food security and integrity in the source of foods is the key to maintaining our market share and the communication of these programs to the trade and consumers is vital for the ongoing development of key markets,” Mr Bowtell added.

Aside from the record attendance of Australian red meat exporters at Gulfood, Australia’s commitment to the region was also demonstrated by MLA’s sponsorship of culinary and cutting competitions and food safety conferences and workshops in conjunction with the trade show.

Media Contact: Lachlan Bowtell MLA Regional Manager (Middle East & North Africa) Ph: +973 3969 915


“Gulfood confirmed that Australian red meat remains highly sought after in the region, where our products tick all the boxes in regards to quality, safety and Halal certification. This demand is underpinned by the quest in the region to secure adequate supplies of food for the ever -expanding population.” Mr Bowtell said.

Last year the Middle East attracted a record 115,775 tonnes of Australian beef, lamb, mutton, goatmeat and offal. MLA’s latest forecasts, outlined in the Industry Projections 2010 (released last week), indicate that beef and lamb exports to the region will continue to rise in 2010, both up 8%, while mutton exports are forecast to fall 6%, due to supply constraints.

Released by: Belinda Roseby, MLA Media Affairs – P: 02 9463 9269

New 5 million dollar five-year FMD preparedness program 12/04/2010

Australia’s livestock industries and the Australian Government are investing in a new five-year $5 million research program to address vulnerabilities in Australia’s readiness to control Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

The beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goat and pig industries and MLA’s Donor Company are investing $2 million in funding over the first two years of the program which will be managed by Animal Health Australia with the research carried out by CSIRO scientists from the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL).

MLA’s Managing Director David Palmer announced the new program at the FMD Symposium and Workshop today saying it aims to better prepare the Australian industry to respond effectively to an outbreak of FMD and thereby minimise disruptions to trade and impacts on the community.

“Markets around the world have stringent and unwavering laws on their food imports and in the event of Australia contracting FMD, we would be locked out of all trade with our customers,” Mr Palmer said.

“Economic losses would be devastating – in the order of $4 million a day according to estimates by the Australian Productivity Commission.

“In addition, community concerns will demand better use of technology to minimise any livestock destruction as the main source of control in such an event.”

“Vaccines, animal traceability, improved modelling and the use of sophisticated diagnostics underpin an effective and efficient response to FMD. This project will deliver the necessary science on vaccination as a preferable FMD control strategy, and develop the necessary protocols,” Mr Palmer said.

“There have been major developments in the global research community in understanding this devastating disease and Australia is now in a position to use this to ensure we are best prepared in the event of an outbreak.”

Australia’s governments and livestock industries made a significant investment in an FMD vaccine bank five years ago, which provides Australia with guaranteed access to vaccine. This has been recently renewed for another five years. Although this provides Australia with assurance of accessibility, there are many unknowns in the application of vaccine to Australian livestock in Australian conditions.

During the five-year program AAHL will conduct research into the application of FMD vaccines in Australian livestock. Much of the work will be carried out collaboratively with overseas countries including South Africa, Argentina, Vietnam and South East Asia as the live FMD virus that is required for this work will not be imported into Australia.

“The completion of the projects in this program will significantly enhance the benefits of investments already made and reinforce the vigilance of the Australian livestock industry to maintain its reputation as a supplier of clean, safe products,” Mr Palmer concluded. Released in collaboration with Animal Health Australia.

DODODODO YOUYOUYOUYOU HAVEHAVEHAVEHAVE ANYANYANYANY SUGGESTIONSSUGGESTIONSSUGGESTIONSSUGGESTIONS FORFORFORFOR BARKLYBARKLYBARKLYBARKLY BEEF?BEEF?BEEF?BEEF?

Please email [email protected]


AROUND THE TRAPS Have you taken a good photo? Send it into [email protected]

Above: The Walhallow Liveweight Gain steers looking

healthy after a good wet season

Photo: Sarah Streeter

Above: Casey Collier, Whitney Dollemore & Sarah Streeter

(DoR) talk GLM Principles with Geoff Murrell & Garret

Goring for the Helen Springs Producer Demonstration Site

Photo: Cassie Duggan

Above: Garret Goring (Helen

Springs Station) holding a Blue

Tongue Lizard shows that B

stands for not only Barkly, but

biodiversity as well!

Photo: Casey Collier

Photo: Photo: Cassie Duggan

Right: Tim Corones (Eva Downs) looking like he

put more than just his arm in the cow at the preg-

testing school held at Brunette Downs in April


Above: Millie Alison (Walhallow), Emma Rose

Knight (Avon Downs), Kazz Hickey (Soudan), Sally-

Ann Thomas (Mittiebah), Toni Wuersching

(Mittiebah) & Emma Cronin (Eva Downs) enjoy a

chat at Ladies Day in May


Photo: Casey Collier

Left: Sarah Streeter

talks grass with

participants in the

recent Barkly

Rangeland

Management

Course held at

Walhallow

Above: Sarah Streeter (DoR

Katherine) puts her ‘butt’ into it

whilst Trisha Cowley (DoR

Katherine) bleeds Lakefield

weaners for the LWG Project

Photo: Jodie Ward


IMPORTANT NOTICES / REMINDERS cont…


IMPORTANT NOTICES / REMINDERS cont…

Darwin Region Ian Doddrell Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer (RLBO) Ph: 08 8999 2030 Fax: 08 8999 2146

Katherine Region Greg Scott Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer (RLBO) Ph: 08 8973 9754 Fax: 08 8973 9759

Tennant Creek Region Ted Martin Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer (RLBO) Ph: 08 8962 4490 Fax: 08 8962 4480

Alice Springs Region Greg Crawford Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer (RLBO) Ph: 08 8951 8125 Fax: 08 8951 8123


WHAT, WHEN & WHERE

MONTH DATE CONTACT JUNE ABC Amateur Races ’100 Years’ Brunette Downs, NT

17-20 www.abcraces.com.au

Adelaide River Campdraft 12-13 [email protected]

Cloncurry Show 11-13

Gregory Campdraft 26-27 Anne Webber (07) 4748 5524

Mt Isa Show 25-27

JULY

Fitzroy Crossing (WA) Campdraft/Rodeo 2-4

Alice Springs Show 2-3

Alice Springs Campdraft/Bronco Branding/Team Penning

2-3 Jillian Fisher 0419 702 608

Centralian Beef Breeders Dinner Alice Springs

3 Jo Smith "Tieyon" 08 8956 0720 [email protected]

TENNANT CREEK SHOW (Cattle Section) 9 Cassie Duggan (08) 8962 4483

BARKLY BEEF DINNER Tennant Creek

9 Cassie Duggan 0413 782 585 / [email protected]

9TH

NT DROUGHTMASTER BULL SALE Tennant Creek

10 Charlie Hawkins (07) 4748 4942

Cloncurry Campdraft & Stockman’s Challenge 15-18

Katherine Show 14-17 www.katherineshow.org.au

Katherine Campdraft 16-17 www.katherineshow.org.au

Katherine Rodeo 18

Darwin Show 22-24

Kimberley Stampede - Campdraft / Rodeo Halls Creek, WA

23-25 Merv & Jenny Wortley "Ruby Plains" – (08) 9168 8915

Paradise Lagoons Campdraft Rockhampton, Qld

22-25 Fiona McCartney 0400 372 380

Victoria River Research Station Field Day Victoria River Research Station (Kidman Springs)

28-29 Trudi Oxley (08) 8973 9763 [email protected]

Kununurra Campdraft / Rodeo 30-1

AUGUST

Harts Range Bush Sports Weekend 31-2 www.hartsrangeraces.org.au

Darwin Cup 2 www.darwinturfclub.org.au

Mt Isa APRA Rodeo 6-8 www.isarodeo.com.au

Darwin North Rodeo 13-14

Borroloola Campdraft / Rodeo / Gymkhana 19-22 Rona Robertson - 0427 758 775

Borroloola Show 19

Camooweal Drovers Festival 20-22 www.droverscamp.com.au

Camooweal Races 21 Russell Young – (07) 4748 2128

Alice Springs Rodeo 14

Nixon’s Xing Campdraft Katherine

27-29 [email protected]

Your event not listed here? Email [email protected]


LACHLAN VICKERY (LACHY)

Hayfield Station (John & Val Dyer)

Job: Grader Driver | No. of

years in the Territory: 2 |

Originally from: Toongabbie,

NSW | Favourite movie: Shawshank Redemption | When I was growing up I

wanted to be: a vet | Described in 3 words I am: loud, energetic & robust |

3 people I would like to have dinner with: Winston Churchill, Peter Sterling

& Angus Young | The thing I enjoy most about my job: being out in the

scrub all day | Right now I should be: Enjoying some downtime at the Daly

Waters Rodeo | Favourite thing about the Territory: Flies, dust, heat,

distance to anything, people, paying out on DPI (DoR) staff | Least favourite

thing about the Territory: Hot beer 2 seconds after coming off ice, DoR staff requesting profiles after a big night at

Daly Waters Rodeo

JANICE TALBOT Rocklands Station (Western Grazing Company)

No. of years as cook: 7 years | Originally from: Monto, Qld | People I

would like to have dinner with: Burt Reynolds and grandchildren |

Speciality Dish: Lasagne | Favourite thing about station cooking: The

routine – everyone eats at the same time (as opposed to hotel cooking) | Least favourite thing about station

cooking: Ringers walking into my kitchen with dirty jeans and boots after washing the floors | Cooking inspiration:

No one in particular – just always liked cooking! Not so much the cleaning up though.

Office Opening Hours – Week beginning 14 June 2010

Monday 14 June CLOSED (Public Holiday)

Tuesday 15 June OPEN

Wednesday 16 June OPEN

Thursday 17 June CLOSED (All staff absent)

Friday 18 June CLOSED (All staff absent)

In the spotlight!In the spotlight!In the spotlight!In the spotlight!

Ingredients

500g topside mince, finely ground | 1-2 tsp. salt | 1 med. Onion (grated/finely shopped) | 1 x 425g canned peach slices (finely

chopped, liquid reserved) | 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs | 1 egg | handful chopped parsley | 3 tbls. fruit chutney

Glaze: Reserved liquid, 3-4 tbls. fruit chutney

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Combine ingredients in a bowl and then press them into 20cm x 10cm x 8cm loaf pan or a 6 cup ring

pan.

2. Invert pan and contents onto a shallow baking tray and bake for 25 minutes.

3. To start the glaze, pour reserved peach liquid into a small saucepan and boil rapidly to reduce by half. Mix in chutney.

4. Remove loaf from oven, lift off pan, brush with glaze

5. Return to oven and cook for further 15-20 minutes. Remove and let stand for a few minutes

6. Serve with any remaining glaze and seasonal vegies

7. As a variation, shape meat mixture into 6 burgers and grill for 5-6 minutes on each side, brushing with glaze

TASTES OF THE TABLELANDS

CHUTNEY PEACH LOAF


DoR TENNANT CREEK — Staff List

BARKLY HOUSE First Floor, 99 Paterson St

PO Box 159, Tennant Creek, NT, 0861 Fax: (08) 8962 4480

REGIONAL MANAGEMENT

A/ Regional Director Neil MacDonald 08 8973 9746

Executive Officer (LSL) Helen Kempe 08 8962 4484

Administration Officer Skye-Lea Ries 08 8962 4488

LSL = Long Service Leave

BIOSECURITY & PRODUCT INTEGRITY

Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer Ted Martin 08 8962 4490

A/Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer Tom Haines 08 8962 4458

M: 0401 113 445

Livestock Biosecurity Officer Greg Maguire 08 8962 4484

M: 0457 517 347

PASTORAL PRODUCTION

Beef Research Officer* Sarah Streeter 08 8973 9750

Pastoral Technical Officer Casey Collier 08 8962 4493

Pastoral Technical Officer Cassie Duggan 08 8962 4483

*Sarah Streeter has moved to the Katherine DoR office however will remain Tennant Creek Regional

Manager until further notice.

Barkly Landcare & Conservation Association - Staff List

Project Manager Naomi Wilson 08 8962 4494

Administrative Assistant Hollie Abra 08 8962 4479

DEPARTMENT OF RESOURCES www.nt.gov.au


POSTAGE

PAID

AUSTRALIA

If undeliverable, please return to:

Department of Resources

PO Box 159

TENNANT CREEK NT 0861

streeter moves to katherine - futurebeef · streeter moves to katherine after 4.5 years of duty in...

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