BARKLY RANGELAND
MANAGEMENT
COURSES
WHAT IMPACT HAS
GRAZING HAD ON
SOIL CARBON
IMPACT OF GRAZING
ON PASTURES
NABRC/BRAC/NBIC
PASTORAL INDUSTRY
FEED ADVISORY
BULLETIN
BIOSECURITY
UPDATES
WHAT WHEN &
WHERE
AROUND THE TRAPS
PASTORAL MARKET
UPDATE
ISSN: 1325-9539
June 2014
Barkly Rangeland Management Courses - Bringing the classroom to the
paddock
Helen McMillan, Pastoral Production Officer, Tennant Creek
This year’s round of Rangeland Management
Courses (RMCs) on the Barkly kicked off at the
end of March at Brunchilly with a solid group of
19 participants. This was the combination of
Helen Springs and Brunchilly’s camps, with lots
of fresh faces eager to get out in the paddock,
chase some cattle and learn new skills. Jodie
Ward began the day with a short introduction to
Rangelands before we jumped into the utes and
headed for the paddock.
Out in the sunshine with a gentle Barkly breeze
keeping the flies at bay, our keen students learnt
about pasture species identification, the
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
difference between annuals, perennials and
forbs on red soil and black soil, and the change
in pasture with distance from water—to rattle off
a few items.
Jane Douglas (M) and Jodie Ward (R) explain how pasture quality
changes over season with the help of Luke Giblin (L)
BARKLY BEEF | page 1
Brunette Downs Camps
The end of April saw Brunette Downs camps
wrangled into the classroom. They also learned
about cattle nutrition, weeds and poisonous
plants, with the camps being split into groups to
give mini presentations about poisonous plants
found on the Barkly. Meg Humphrys and Dan
Steel, our weeds officers in Tennant Creek,
gave a demonstration on how to basal bark
spray some prickly weeds and this trip also
included a scenic tour of Brunette.
The final contenders for RMCs were Anthony
Lagoon and Eva’s Camps at the beginning of
May, with 12 participants. Workmate was pinned
against workmate as they battled it out to see
who would take the prize for the best planned
and managed station. The groups were given
blank station maps, an unlimited budget and free
reign to plan their ultimate station – hopefully
using some of the knowledge we had instilled in
them over the previous two days.
The NT DPIF & DLRM would like to thank all the
participants, managers and cooks. Without your
support we could not do what we do!
Anthony Lagoon & Eva Downs camps
What impact has grazing had on soil carbon?
Dionne Walsh, Rangeland Program Manager, Berrimah Farm
The value of a standing pasture will depend on the dry matter
yield (biomass), and the amount of pasture which can be safely
eaten by animals (utilisation rate) and still leave cover to allow
regrowth the next wet season and to prevent erosion and soil loss.
There will be a range of values. In the Tennant Creek region, the
value of a kilogram of feed consumed by livestock is equivalent to
the value of a kilogram of good quality hay at $0.30 per kilogram
($300 per tonne).
Enjoying a feed of Mitchell grass
In the Tennant Creek region, spinifex country typically has dry
matter (DM) yields ranging from 800 kg/ha to about 1,100 kg/ha. The safe utilisation rate on these
pastures is only 5%, so the amount consumed would be 40 and 55 kg, giving these pastures a value of
$12 to $17 per hectare.
Red soils in the central and southern parts of the Barkly can grow slightly better pastures including
Ribbon grass (Chrysopogon fallax), Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) with soft spinifex (Triodia
pungens). These pastures typically have yields of 1,000 to 2,400 kgDM/ha and a safe utilisation rate of
10%, so the amount consumed would be between 100 and 240 kg at a value of $30 to $72 per hectare.
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 2
The biggest yielding native pastures are generally found on the black soils and include Mitchell grasses
(Astrebla species), Flinders grasses (Iseilema species), Ribbon grass (Chrysopogon fallax) and Curly
bluegrass (Dichanthium fecundum). Dry matter yields typically range from 800 to 2,200 kg/ha with safe
utilisation rates of 20%. A pasture with 2,000kg dry matter/ha and a safe utilisation rate of 20% provides
feed valued at $120 per hectare.
Pasture information for the Barkly Region
Pasture type
Spinifex on northern Barkly
red soils
Moderate value pastures on
southern Barkly red earths
Black soil pastures – central to
southern Barkly
Black soil pastures – northern
Barkly
Grass Yield
kgDM/ha
Safe Utilisation rate %
1,000
5
Value of grass
close
$/ha
15
2,000
10
60
1,800
20
108
2,000
20
120
More information about important pasture types in the Tennant Creek region can be found in the Barkly
Land Condition Guide:
http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Content/File/p/annualreport0506/GLM_Barkly_web_june11.pdf
NABRC/BRAC/NBIC What does it all mean?
Acronyms, acronyms, acronyms! They are everywhere and unless you are up with the latest lingo, all
these acronyms can be very confusing.
The North Australian Beef Research Council, or NABRC, is an independent organisation comprised of
research organisations, education providers and producer representatives. The main role of NABRC is to
provide guidance and advice to organisations that either invest in, or undertake beef cattle research,
development and extension (RD&E) in QLD, NT and the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of WA. NABRC
doesn’t actually fund any RD&E but rather influences the RD&E agenda, and helps to ensure that
innovation and learning in the northern beef industry addresses industry’s priority needs.
NABRC is underpinned by 11 regional committees, each chaired by producers who represent their
regions at NABRC and NBIC (Northern Beef Industry Committee) meetings.
The Northern Beef Industry Committee is made up of all the chairpersons from the different NABRC
regions and the MLA representatives. NBIC assesses all the northern beef research proposals received
by MLA and recommends whether or not they consider them worthy of MLA investment.
The regional committees are made up of producers and local RD&E personnel who meet regularly and
ensure the regions’ priority areas are addressed.
The Northern Territory has three regional committees which are: Alice Springs Pastoral Industry
Advisory Committee (ASPIAC), Katherine Pastoral Industry Advisory Committee (KPIAC) and Barkly
Regional Advisory Committee (BRAC).
Through consultation with producers and stakeholders, each committee has identified key priority areas
for their region. BRAC identified animal welfare, water resources, weeds, marketing and herd fertility as
the key research areas for the region.
For more information on your local regional committee, please don’t hesitate to contact Casey Collier on
08 8962 4493 or casey.collier@nt.gov.au. We are always keen to get new members and if you are
passionate about seeing where the industry is heading and want to have your research ideas heard,
come along to a meeting and see what it’s all about. More information on NARBC and regional
committees can be found at www.jackiekyte.com.au/nabrc.
>> Casey Collier | BRAC Secretary | Phone: 08 8962 4493 | casey.collier@nt.gov.au
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 3
Pastoral Industry Feed Advisory Bulletin now available
Dionne Walsh, Rangeland Program Manager, Berrimah Farm
The DPIF has a new information bulletin that
summarises current feed supplies, seasonal conditions
and fire risk for each of the 11 pastoral districts in the
NT (shown on the map).
This Bulletin is produced quarterly (Mar, Jun, Sept and
Dec) and is available on our website as a pdf or Word
document:
www.nt.gov.au/d/Primary_Industry/?Header=Pastoral%
20Production (or Google NT Pastoral Feed Outlook)
If you would like to receive an email alert when a new
Bulletin is available, please contact
dionne.walsh@nt.gov.au.
The following are examples of what can be found in the
Bulletin
.
Running total of median
pasture growth (kg/ha):
This graph shows that the longterm median pasture growth in
the Barkly pastoral district is just
under 750 kg/ha. The red line
shows how the 2013/14 pasture
growth was delayed compared to
the previous year due to the late
arrival of the Wet. The June
Bulletin (out soon) will show how
the growth finished up compared
to last year.
Total 2013/14 Pasture Growth
(July 2013 - February 2014):
This map shows how much
pasture has grown across the
Tennant Creek district (as at
February). Most areas had
received less than 500 kg/ha of
growth. The June Bulletin (out
soon) will show how the growth
finished up by the end of the Wet.
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 4
Current Estimated Total
Standing Dry Matter (as at
end February 2014):
This map shows how much
pasture was estimated to be
standing in the Gulf district (as
at February). Most areas had
more than 1,000 kg/ha of
standing pasture biomass, with
some having very high levels
above 4,000 kg/ha. [But see
box below].
This is just a taste of what is in the Bulletin. The information can be used to:




see how this year compares to last year and to the long-term
identify whether you might have potential feed surpluses or deficits
assess fire risk
get an idea of whether there might be more growth this season.
Feedback on the Bulletin is welcome, please email dionne.walsh@nt.gov.au or
chris.materne@nt.gov.au
The pasture and fire risk information in the Bulletin is derived from AussieGRASS. AussieGRASS is a
model that simulates pasture growth and standing biomass using climate data, vegetation mapping, fire
history and regional estimates of grazing pressure. Note that the model does not use stocking rate data
for individual properties. Where stock numbers are significantly higher or lower than typical for a district,
model estimates of total standing dry matter may be erroneous.
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 5
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 6
TENNANT CREEK & DISTRICT SHOW SOCIETY
CATTLE SECTION 2014
CATTLE NOMINATION FORM
Class
Number/Description of Animal(s)
Age/
Entry Fee
Weight
($10/pen)
TOTAL: $
Station:
Contact Person:
Postal Address:
*FEES MUST BE PAID ON ARRIVAL AT YARDS*
PLEASE COMPLETE & FAX TO (08) 8962 4480 BY 4 JULY 2013
B1
B2
B3
B4
B5
Pen of 2 Bulls
Single Local Bull
Pen of 2 Mature Breeding Cows
Pen of 2 Heifers 180-250 kg
Pen of 2 Heifers 250-350 kg
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
B6 Pen of 2 Heifers 350-450 kg
B7 Pen of 2 Steers 180-250 kg
B8 Pen of 2 Steers 250-350 kg
B9 Pen of 2 Mickeys 180-250 kg
B10Led Calf
BARKLY BEEF | page 7
TENNANT CREEK & DISTRICT SHOW SOCIETY
CATTLE SECTION 2014
SECTION B – CATTLE
ENTRIES CLOSE
ENTRY FEES
JUDGE
CHIEF STEWARD
 5:00pm Friday 4 July 2014
 $10.00/pen
(Payable to the Tennant Creek & District Show Society –
Cattle Section)
 TBA
 Jane Douglas
 8962 4483
 jane.douglas@nt.gov.au
DELIVERY OF CATTLE
- All cattle to be at the Tennant Creek Show Yards by no later than 11 am on the Show Day (Friday 11
July 2014)
- No cattle to leave the yards until after 4 pm on the Show Day
TESTING & MOVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Cattle from tick infested properties must be treated and clean before arrival at the showgrounds.
- All exhibitors must comply with the Standard Movement Requirements
- For more information, please contact Livestock Biosecurity Officer Tom Haines on (08) 8962 4458 or
0401 113 445
FRIDAY 11 JULY
PASTORAL INDUSTRY BBQ 11:30 am
LED CALF JUDGING 12.30 pm
CATTLE JUDGING 1:00pm
Commercial Cattle Classes
CONDITIONS
- Any class may be entered more than once by the same station
- Class 1 and 10 will not contribute to Aggregate Points Award
- Due to the diversity of market specifications, all classes must be judged according to the quality of
the exhibit and not its suitability for any specific market
- The judge’s decision is final
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 8
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 9
Biosecurity Updates
Animal Biosecurity Branch
Do you keep poultry, pigs, pigeons, sheep,
goats, deer, horses, cattle, buffalo, camelids?
It is mandatory for owners of an identifiable property or block to have a PIC registered for all livestock, including
pets, and without exception..
Livestock Regulations Section 32(1) states:
The owner of an identifiable property must have a PIC registered for the property.
An identifiable property is a property that keeps any of the following livestock:
Alpacas, buffalo, camels, cattle, deer, goats, horses, llamas, pigs, poultry, pigeons, sheep.
Property Identification Codes – Why?
The purpose of property identification is for tracing and controlling disease but also for locating properties/blocks and
notifying owners quickly.
In the event of disease being detected, it is absolutely crucial to identify properties/blocks in the surrounding area where
livestock reside. This will enable the disease to be isolated and managed rapidly as well as a direct way of contacting
livestock owners to keep them up to date of various situations.
PIC registration is free of charge.Please complete the PIC registration form on our website at
www.nt.gov.au/d/animalhealth, or contact the Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer (RLBO) for assistance.
Darwin Region
Katherine Region
Tennant Creek Region
Alice Springs Region
Ian Doddrell (RLBO)
Greg Scott (RLBO)
Tom Haines (A/RLBO)
Greg Crawford (RLBO)
Ph: 08 8999 2030
Ph: 08 8973 9754
Ph: 08 8962 4458
Ph: 08 8951 8125
Animal Biosecurity Branch
NT Waybills – Pink Copies
Have you recently sent your PINK copies in to your Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer ?
It is a mandatory requirement for cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, camelids (including camels, alpacas and llamas),
deer and pig owners to complete a waybill whenever stock are moved outside the boundaries of a property.
Pink copies must be sent within 28 days
It is an offence under the Livestock Regulations not to complete a waybill correctly and may incur a penalty of up to
$14,100 and $7050 for not submitting the waybill pink copies to the Registrar in 28 days after completion.
NT PICs – use the NT PIC Search database - http://pic.primaryindustry.nt.gov.au/
National PIC Registers using your NLIS account - www.nlis.mla.com.au/ Search the PIC register
NOTE: Post PINK copies within 28 days to the Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer
Darwin Region
Ian Doddrell (RLBO)
Animal Biosecurity,
DPIF
GPO Box 3000
Darwin NT 0801
Katherine Region
Greg Scott (RLBO)
Animal Biosecurity, DPIF
PO Box 1346
Katherine NT 0851
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
Tennant Creek Region
Tom Haines (RLBO)
Animal Biosecurity, DPIF
PO Box 159
Tennant Creek NT
0861
Alice Springs Region
Greg Crawford (RLBO)
Animal Biosecurity, DPIF
PO Box 8760
Alice Springs NT 0871
BARKLY BEEF | page 10
Animal Biosecurity Branch
Brands in the NT
Branding cattle and horses is a clear way of identifying ownership of stock, and can also play an important role in
disease control programs and chemical residue trace back programs. This is important to both consumers and
producers, and maintains confidence in the safety and integrity of livestock products.
The Northern Territory Livestock Act and Regulations uses a three-letter brand system where one letter must be
the letter “T” and a distinctive (symbol) brand system.
It is compulsory to brand cattle before they are moved off a property or are sold (unless they are less than eight
months of age). Brands may also be used on horses, buffalo and camels, but are not compulsory for these
animals.
A brand is registered to a person or company for use on a nominated NT property only. Under no circumstances
are these brands to be used in any other state or territory. This means the branding iron can be used only by
the registered owner (or their representative) on the registered Northern Territory property as stated on NT
brand certificate/s. It does not restrict branded cattle being agisted on other properties. To brand on a NT property
not registered with the Registrar is an infringement of the Livestock Act and Regulations and is an offence that
incurs a penalty.
Check out our website at www.nt.gov.au/d/animalhealth, Brands in the NT, or contact your RLBO for assistance.
Animal Biosecurity Branch
Upon Sale of a Property – Brand/s & PIC
While the sale of a property may include the stock, the brand cannot be sold to the new owners.
1. If an agreement is made in the sale contract to transfer the brand to the new owners, an application to
Transfer Brand must be lodged with the Registrar.
or
2.
If the owner no longer wishes to use the brand, it may be cancelled. An Application for Cancellation of Brand
must be lodged with the Registrar.
or
3.
If registered owner of the brand wishes to keep the brand, but move it to a new property, a Request to Change
of Run must be lodged with the Registrar, together with original certificate/s for amending.
BRANDS ARE NOT TRANSFERRED AUTOMATICALLY BY A PROPERTY SALE OR BY A WILL
PIC is permanently registered to a parcel of land. Upon sale of a property which has a PIC registered, the new
owners must complete an Update your Property details form and return it for processing.
If livestock are no longer being kept on the property, the new owner should notify the RLBO so that the PIC can be
disbanded.
If the property is not registered with a PIC, and has livestock on the property, the new owner is required to
complete a PIC Registration form and return it for processing.
Check out our website at www.nt.gov.au/d/animalhealth, Brands in the NT or contact your RLBO for assistance.
Darwin Region
Ian Doddrell (RLBO)
Ph: 08 8999 2030
Katherine Region
Greg Scott (RLBO)
Ph: 08 8973 9754
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
Tennant Creek Region
Tom Haines (RLBO)
Ph: 08 8962 4458
Alice Springs Region
Greg Crawford (RLBO)
Ph: 08 8951 8125
BARKLY BEEF | page 11
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 12
What When & Where
Have you taken a good photo? Send it into barklybeef.dor@nt.gov.au
June
ABC Race Club Brunette Downs
Campdraft, Rodeo and Races
Brunette Downs Station
4th
Alice Springs Show
Alice Springs
11th
Tennant Creek Show
Tennant Creek
18th
Katherine Show
Katherine
25th
Darwin Show
Darwin
1-4th
Harts Range Campdraft
Harts Range
5th
Darwin Cup
Darwin
8-10th
Pussycat Campdraft, Gymkhana &
Murranji Challenge
Pussycat
13th
Victoria River Research Station Field
Day
Victoria River Research
Station- ‘Kidman Springs’
20-24th
Nixon’s Crossing Campdraft
Katherine
26-29th
July
August
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 13
Around the Traps
Have you taken a good photo? Send it into barklybeef.dor@nt.gov.au
Local Pastoral Production Officer, Helen McMillan braved the
clippers and let fellow colleagues Jane Douglas and Skye
Ries shave her head for the 2014 World’s Greatest Shave.
Barkly’s Ladies day, held at the Barkly Homestead
twice a year is always a great place catch up with
old friends, and meet plenty of new ones. This
year was no different and a great day was
had by all.
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 14
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 15
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 16
DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES
www.dpif.nt.gov.au
BARKLY BEEF | page 17
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 Officer
Pastoral Production Officer
Pastoral Production Officer
Casey Collier
Jane Douglas
Helen McMillan
08 8962 4493
08 8962 4483
08 8962 4486
Barkly Landcare & Conservation Association
Landcare Facilitator
TBA
08 8962 4494
POSTAGE
PAID
AUSTRALIA
If undeliverable, please return to:
Department of Primary Industry &
Fisheries
PO Box 159
TENNANT CREEK NT 0861