Katherine Rural ReviewPO Box 1346KATHERINE NT 0851Tel: 89 739 739Fax: 89 739770rebecca.mather-brown@nt.gov.au

Katherine Rural ReviewEdition 252 October 2003

ISSN 0156-9589

PPPPProduced by Katherine Research Stationroduced by Katherine Research Stationroduced by Katherine Research Stationroduced by Katherine Research Stationroduced by Katherine Research Station

EDGE Network presents 'GrazingLand Management' workshop.

EDGE network is the education arm ofMeat and Livestock Australia. EDGE hasdeveloped a variety of workshops andcourses applicable to pastoral business'all over Australia. Initially workshopscatered more for producers in southernmarkets, but recognising the need forcourses unique to northern marketsand landscapes, EDGE hasdeveloped 2 main coursesspecifically designed for those livingabove the 23rd parallel.

The Grazing Land Managementpackage will be available for thefirst time at the end of February.So keep this week free on thecalender. Grazing Land

Management shows producers how to createstrategies to increase profit and sustainability.

The course has been adapted for various landsystems accross the Top End including theVictoria River District. The workshop consistsof 7 modules:

Trudi Oxley, Pastoral Production, KRS ph: 8973 9763

Understanding the grazing ecosystemManaging grazingManaging FireManaging sown pasturesBalancing trees and grassManaging weedsDeveloping a grazing management plan

Over three days you will use local researchinformation and discussion with other graziersto formulate grazing management plans for botha case study property and your own station.

Tools such as climate data and land informationspecific to your location will be used in theformulation of your plan.

Contact Trudi Oxley for further information, orto register your interest. The first GLM workshopwill run at the end of February 2004. The costis approximately $1,309 Farmbis subsidy willcover approximately $982 of this leavingindividual (reclaimable on tax!) cost of $327. Thisprice will vary pending the number ofparticipants.

EDGE LaunchKeep Friday October31st free for a chanceto peruse the EDGEproducts that will beavailable to you in2004.

It's a chance to chatwith coursepresenters about howthese courses meetyour requirements,catch up with friendsand network withagents. All whilstenjoying a fewnibblies and drinks.

Trudi Oxley will bringyou up to date on thelatest by presentingyou with an overviewof the new GazingLand ManagementCourse and theNorthern Nutritioncourse. It is also youropportunity t oexpress interest inother courses on offer.

We look forward toseeing you onOctober the 31st.

Contact Trudion 89 739 763or Beck on89 739 770to RSVPand forf u r t h e rdeta i lso nvenue.

KRR edition 252

During drought periods, a number of factors canlead to a higher risk of unacceptable chemicalresidues being found in livestock. Unacceptablechemicals residues (chemical residues abovethe Australian Maximum Residue Limit (MRL))pose a direct threat to valuable export anddomestic livestock markets.

The three main factors that lead to an increasedrisk are:

(1) The temptation to feed unusual materialsto stock;

(2) An increased need for purchased fodder;(3) Lost condition of livestock causing fat

soluble chemical residue levels to rise.

What can be done to manage these risks?

Unconventional StockfeedsCrop wastes and plant-processing by-productsmay seem like useful feed sources in hardtimes. Such unconventional stockfeeds may,however, contain chemical residues that couldcause residue levels in livestock to exceeddomestic or export standard limits. The cropsfrom which the wastes or by-products arederived may have been treated with chemicalsthat have label directions prohibiting the feedingof wastes from treated crops.

Conventional stockfeedsBefore buying feed, ask for a CommodityVendor Declaration (CVD) (or equivalent).These declarations detail the chemicaltreatments applied to the feed and allow youto identify potential residue risks. If you cannotobtain a CVD, inform the seller of the intendeduse of the feed, ask the seller if the feed issuitable for that purpose and ask if anychemicals have been applied to the feed and/or if the feed has been tested for residues.Unless a satisfactory CVD is provided or thefeeds have been appropriately tested forresidues, assume that chemical residues maybe present.

Other useful tips:- Use chemicals strictly in accordance with

label directions.- Add a safety margin to withholding

periods (WHPs) and export slaughterintervals (ESIs) for lean stock and thosethat are losing weight.

- Keep stock away from farm buildings orother sites where chemicals, particularlyorganochlorine chemicals, may have beenused or stored.

- Fully and accurately complete NationalVendor Declaration Forms (NVDs) forsale stock.

- Seek professional advice about residue riskmanagement and drought feeding options.

E-mail: mcmanus.michael@saugov.sa.gov.au

Drought increases chemical residuerisksMichael McManus, PIRSA Rural Chemicals Program ph: (09) 8226 0421

A number of stations have started sending indung samples for us to dry and send to CSIROin Townsville for NIRS analysis. We are tryingto make the process more efficient so weeventually get answers back within 5 days.

Some important points:

1. You must label each sample with the station,date and other sample information (paddockor bore). A piece of paper in a bag of wetdung will disintegrate, so use a permanentmarker on the outside of the plastic bag.

2. Samples can be chilled or frozen. You candrop them at KRS after hours if you makeprior arrangement.

3. Please mix the samples before you sendthem to us. They are not so easy for us tomix here once they are frozen.

4. For a quick answer, make sure that CSIROhave your email address or fax number.

5. If you want David Coates to be able tocomment on your results, you need to givehim more information to work on. He has aform to fill out if you want that level of service.

6. NIRS analysis currently costs $15. CSIROwill invoice you direct.

Label your MooPoo!

page ...............3

The mango season is upon us yet again.Katherine overall had a later than normalflowering with a sporadic fruit set. The lateflowering has caused some of our growers tooverstress their trees with subsequent fruitdrop. Flower thrip and apple dimpling bug werearound again this year with varying amountsof damage caused.

I will be conducting the Mango Supply ChainStudy Tour this year. This trip is designed forgrowers who have never been to the southernmarkets before. Past tours have been verysuccessful with growers learning a great dealabout all the different components in thesupply chain, including the unloading services,produce surveyors, wholesalers, distributors,retailers and consumers.

This is a whirlwind trip visiting Melbourne,Sydney and Brisbane over five days in thefirst week of December. This year Darwin andKatherine mangoes are predicted to beharvested at around the same time so I aimto follow some consignments from bothregions from farm to the market. Temperatureand humidity data loggers will be placed inthe cartons as a learning experience. Placesare limited to 8 growers only and Farmbiz willbe helping out with the costs.

Katherine region's melon growers have had afairly t ough t ime t his y ear w ith v ery l owrockmelon prices as well as pest pressurefrom cucumber moth larvae and soil bornediseases. DBIRD is working in conjunctionwith growers to improve their yields andsubsequent profitability. At the end of thisseason NT melon growers will be asked toput together an Industry Development Planto help guide them to a better future.

Anyone interested in the Supply Chain StudyTour should contact Julie Bird at the KatherineResearch Station on 89739738 or emailjulie.bird@nt.gov.au

Julie Bird, Horticultural Extension, KRSph: 8973 9738

HorticultureUpdate - Tours,Mangoes &Melons A small black beetle has been making itself

quite unpopular around Katherine lately. If youhave opened your shop or office early in themornings, you may have experienced treadingon some of these insects. Or perhaps afterpeacefully settling into your day you have beenbombarded by a noisily flying beetle that headsstraight for your cup of tea with a splash. Don’tbe alarmed, this happens most years as sureas the bush fires do.

So what are they and why are they invadingour shopping centres and service stations?Jewel beetles (family Buprestidae) are sonamed because most species are brilliantlycoloured with a metallic sheen. The coloursyellow, blue, red or even purple are of tencombined on the adults’ forewings with striking,jewel like effects. The adults feed mainly onflower nectar while the majority of larvae arewoodborers.

Unfortunately t he s pecies w e s ee aroundKatherine, (possibly Merimna atrata) is dullblack and not brilliantly coloured, but this maybe handy for camouflage considering the habitsof this insect. Jewel beetles of the genusMerimna ‘fire beetles,’ fly at dusk or dawn toareas of recent bushfire activity. Female beetleschoose to deposit their eggs into blackenedand dying trees where their larvae can develop.

Jewel beetles like Merimna possess uniquesense organs able to detect minute amountsof infrared radiation. These beetles are able tolocate bush fires from a distance of up to 160km. So with all the fires about it is no wonderthese beetles are flying a little off target at nightand invading our brightly-lit buildings.

How can you stop them? Turning all the lightsoff at dusk and dawn might help but this isgenerally not practical. Fitting seals underdoors and other entry points would be usefuland may deter some of the other swarmingbugs and beetles we experience through theseasons.

Have fun out there and I would be interested inany observations of other swarming insects.e-mail: megan.connolly@nt.gov.au

Fire BeetlesMegan Connolly, Entomology, KRS

ph: 8973 9762

T

3

September, 2003

LIVE CATTLE EXPORTS VIA DARWIN PORT

Destination Total Cattle (including interstate)

NT Cattle only

2001 2002 Last year30.09.02

YTD30.09.03

1-30Sep

Previous Month

Difference

2001 2002 Last year30.09.02

YTD30.09.03

1-30Sep

Previous Month

Difference

BRUNEI 16,155 19,085 13,382 12,521 1,395 0 +1,395 11,003 12,012 8,402 9,523 1,299 0 +1,299

EGYPT 52,692 10,873 10,873 0 0 0 0 30,376 10,873 10,873 0 0 0 0

INDONESIA 151,190 199,327 136,995 147,149 7,615 15,886 -8,271 121,632 133,763 96,854 111,843 7,615 13,782 -6,167

PHILIPPINES 31,984 65,931 51,982 37,175 8,973 6,067 +2,906 25,701 52,692 41,259 32,811 8,973 5,388 +3,585

SABAH 110 318 198 224 0 0 0 110 17 0 224 0 0 0

SAUDI ARABIA 0 6,550 6,550 0 0 0 0 0 5,066 5,066 0 0 0 0

SARAWAK 0 1,033 1,033 320 0 0 0 0 846 846 92 0 0 0

VIETNAM 941 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

W-MALAYSIA 5,055 18,765 17,328 7,700 0 0 0 4,350 13,839 13,679 5,727 0 0 0

EAST TIMOR 0 32 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

JORDAN 0 688 688 0 0 0 0 688 688 0 0 0 0

TOTAL 258,127 322,602 239,061 205,089 17,983 21,953 -3,970 193,172 229,796 177,667 160,220 17,887 19,170 -1,283

-33,927 -17,447

D

BREAW-SASAPHINDTHTO

Live Cattle Exports thru Port of Darwin2002 v 2003

5,00010,00015,00020,00025,00030,00035,00040,00045,00050,000

Cat

tle H

ead

"September at a glance"

• 17,983 head through the Port of Darwinduring September. 3,970 head less thanAugust and 18,254 less than Septemberlast year.

• Total live cattle exports through the Portof Darwin are now 33,927 head behindthe same time last year.

otal Cattle, Port of Darwin1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 283,535 448,196 219,439 280,011 299,179 25

‘OTHER’ LIVESTOCKBuffalo Camels

estination 2002 YTD2003

1-30Sep

2002 YTD2003

1-30Sep

20

UNEI 3,359 1,964 202 144 94 32 2,ST TIMOR 0 0 0 0 0 0MALAYSIA 173 32 0 609 145 0 7,UDI ARABIA 0 0 0 118 0 0

RAWAK 57 0 0 64 100 0ILIPPINES 0 0 0 0 0 0ONESIA 0 0 0 0 0 0

AILAND 0 0 0 0 0 0

TAL 3,589 1,996 202 935 339 32 9,

PREVIOUS 6 YEARS

NT Cattle, Port of Darwin001 2002 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 20028,127 322,602 189,918 246,389 160,412 192,441 222,669 193,172 229,796

EXPORTS VIA DARWIN PORT (incl. NT and Interstate Stock)Goats Deer Horses Sheep Pigs

02 YTD2003

1-30Sep

2002 YTD2003

1-30Sep

2002 YTD2003

1-30Sep

2002 YTD2003

1-30Sep

2002 YTD2003

1-30Sep

439 2,895 790 37 0 0 0 0 0 430 352 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

182 6,436 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1,573 625 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

225 239 0 0 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 223 0 0 0 0 29 6 0 0 0 0 686 0 00 25 9 0 0 0 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 320 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

846 9,818 790 357 60 0 44 7 0 2,003 977 0 686 0 0

0Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

2002 2003

Prepared by the NT Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development.

This publication contains commodity market information prepared for DBIRD staff use in strategic research and extension planning. While DBIRD exercise care inthe compilation and preparation of this information, no responsibility is taken for its accuracy or for the completeness of any information that is reproduced fromother sources. DBIRD denies any loss or damage to any person whether caused directly or indirectly by the use of any of the information provided.

NATIONAL CATTLE PRICES - W/E 26/09/03

JAPANESE STEER KOREAN STEEREstimated dressed weight price (cents/kg) Estimated dressed weight price (cents/kg)

SALEYARDS O.T.HOOKS SALEYARDS O.T.HOOKSNSW QLD SA AV (Aust)

NSW QLD SA AV (Aust)

NSW QLD SA AV (Aust)

NSW QLD SA AV (Aust)

This week 317 320 323 317 305 305 323 310 This week 315 305 324 309 289 298 nq 294Last week 321 310 329 316 307 308 323 314 Last week 316 299 335 305 298 302 nq 298Year ago 306 306 280 302 277 295 268 279 Year ago 284 286 270 284 261 288 nq 266

US MANUFACTURING COW DOMESTIC TRADE STEEREstimated dressed weight price (cents/kg) Estimated dressed weight price (cents/kg)

SALEYARDS O.T.HOOKS SALEYARDS O.T.HOOKSNSW QLD SA AV (Aust)

NSW QLD SA AV (Aust)

NSW QLD SA AV (Aust)

NSW QLD SA AV (Aust)

This week 263 270 274 265 241 255 255 231 This week 347 315 349 335 311 279 300 318Last week 271 268 289 269 242 259 255 229 Last week 346 315 349 336 304 285 290 323Year ago 251 276 216 249 217 257 205 223 Year ago 292 288 277 286 258 274 290 293

LIVE EXPORT QUOTESEstimated live weight price (cents/kg)

LIGHT STEERS(280-400 kg)

HEAVY STEERS(400+ kg)

Darwin T/ville F/mantle Darwin T/ville F/mantle

This week 160 nq nq 140 nq nqLast week 160 nq nq 140 nq nqYear ago nq nq nq nq nq nq

Live Cattle Exports Forecast to Fall in Coming Years (LiveLink September 2003)

Over the fiscal year 2002/03, the number of live cattle exported rose by 190,000 (or 23%) to a record 1.01 million headof cattle. This reflected a resurgence of demand from South East Asian markets, particularly Indonesia, good supply ofsuitable stock in the Kimberley, NT and north Queensland and the increased cost of finishing cattle for the slaughtermarket during the drought. The trade provided an attractive alternative outlet for young cattle over the drought period.

The major fall in cattle numbers nationally, high slaughter prices and some easing in Indonesian demand, however,suggest that live exports in the second half of 2003 are likely to fall well short of last year’s record. Hence, live exportsfor 2003 are predicted to drop 12% to 880,000 (compared with the January forecast of 3%). This implies exports of480,000 cattle in the second half of the year, compared with 400,000 in the first half and 607,590 cattle in the secondhalf of 2002.

Modest growth in exports to Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and the Middle East for the year is likely to be more than offsetby a sharp fall to Egypt and modest decline to the Philippines.

Tight post-drought supplies, high prices and the desire of producers to hold additional young cattle to rebuild, are likelyto lead to a further decline in live cattle exports in 2004, before a steady recovery, to again exceed one million head by2007.

Prices courtesy of:Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

I was a fresh-faced and ignorant new boy on theblock in 1992 when I took part in the Tripartiteconference held at the NT Rural College. Smalldiscussion groups had formed to chew the fatabout the major restrictions to cattle performancein northern Australia. Some older bloke in mygroup with a very annoying manner just wouldn’tshut up about how nutritional management wasthe key to cattle production, and no matter whatanybody else said, he was convinced his opinionswere right. This was my first contact with PeterRidley.

Since that time I have had many moreconversations with Peter . I use the term‘conversation’ very loosely - conversing with Peterusually involves a lot of listening, and occasionallyspeaking to a brick wall. Ahhh, the memories -often I’d phone Peter to ask his opinion on anaspect of cattle work at Kidman Springs only toendure an extended dialogue on the BerrimahMafia, the determination of animal equivalentsfrom Megajoules of Metabolisable Energy, theirrelevance of breeder research on improvedpastures at Douglas Daly, and novel ways ofcausing mayhem amongst senior DPIF/DBIRDmanagement. I can almost hear his farewellspeech tonight recapping for one last time thebeauty of weight-age-fat interrelationships indeveloping an objective description system forlater maturing brahman cross feeder cattle goingto SE Asia. I’m devastated not to be there.....

Peter’s communication style at field days andconferences is distinctive and revolves entirelyaround the amount of loose change or keys hehas in his pockets at the time. I often wonderedhow he would go if his pockets were empty andhe d idn’t h ave s omething m etallic to j inglethroughout his talk. If we could connect electricalwires to Peter’s brain, the amount of nervousenergy he generated during a presentation couldpower a small town for a month. He hasn’t beennicknamed Riddles for nothing you know!

Peter’s ability to get up the nose of people islegendary. Who can forget the sparring sessionswith Gehan, Mark Adams, Neil MacDonald, DarrylSavage, and countless others along the way. Hisquest for structure and rigor in Pastoral’s work

led to some ofthe mostentertainingexchangesI’ve seen. Ibelieve I onceheard himsay “a projectp r o p o s a lshould be written in the same manner and withthe same rigor as a scientific paper”. Okay, Ilie, I may have heard it more than once.

So much for Peter’s good points. I don’t knowmany bad points about him except to say thatonce you’ve survived a sub-2-hour trip fromKatherine to Kidman Springs with Peter behindthe wheel, you consider every minute of yourlife afterwards to be a bonus.

For some scary reason still unknown to me, Iactually have the greatest of respect for Peterand his opinions. On those few occasions whenhe’d answer directly the question I asked, manypearls of wisdom and food for thought emergedfrom his lifetime in animal science. I will trulymiss the opportunity to regularly engage indebate over any aspect of cattle production,although by having such conversations withothers now gives me the chance of actuallywinning the argument.

In all honesty, I feel eternally grateful to haveworked in Katherine Pastoral under the directionof Tom Stockwell and Peter. To be involved inplanning a coordinated, strategic program ofresearch, securing funding, and successfullyundertaking work which will have long lastingbenefits to the northern Australian cattleindustry was the best grounding a novice likeme could have had. Peter’s new life in Tasmaniawill be greeted with sighs of relief by some, butI am not amongst them. I wish you,Peter, thebest of fishing, a fine souce of stones to buildyourself a garden wall, and most importantly,time to reflect upon the enormous influence youhave had over the shape of cattle research inthe Top End. I look forward to the next time wemeet.

Farewell to a fearlessleaderMichael Cobiac, Pastoral Production, Alice Springs ph: 89518140

On September 15, 2003 a week long residentialschool of the University of Queensland was heldin Katherine. Doug Graham from the renownedRural Extension Centre came to the NT to run“Leadership and Group Facilitation” due to thelarge amount of local interest in this practical,work b ased c ourse. P articipants i ncludedGovernment Extension Officers, IndustryDevelopment Officers, Landcare Coordinatorsand Indigenous Group leaders. This course isdesigned for anyone working with industry orcommunity groups in a rural situation.

A very interactive learning format helpedparticipants to understand relevant theories andconcepts. As the week progressed thesetheories were applied to our own situations.

We were first introduced to “Good Beginnings”which included group warm ups (ice breakers),clarifying group expectations and settingguidelines for your group activity. From thesesolid foundations a group is more likely to goon to fulfil it’s ultimate purpose. Facilitationframeworks, group development and difficultbehaviours w ere a lso d iscussed b eforeparticipants were able to try out their new skillswith a practice facilitation. Group discussionthen a llowed the p articipants t o s ee w hatworked and how they could improve upon theirperformance.

At the end of each day we each went for a“walk-talk” with a partner, which allowed us todiscuss what we had learnt. We also took partin an evaluation of how our learning anddevelopment as group leaders was progressing.At the start of the week many of us felt a lackof confidence as well as some confusion atthe new concepts we were being shown. Byactually practicing newly learnt techniques, weall felt much more confident and enlightenedby the end of the course.

For the last activity each of us presented tothe group an action plan for a group facilitationwhich is to take place over the next few monthsin our work place. We will get together againfor a two day residential in November to discussthe results. A written assignment on thisexperience is then submitted to complete theassessment for the course.

Group Facilitation CourseBrought To KatherineJulie Bird, Horticultural Extension, KRS

This course has so far exceeded myexpectations by giving me a great deal moreconfidence in facilitating group activities throughthe use of frameworks and other tools. Manyof us feel dread at the thought of leading a groupactivity, however, I am now looking forward tomy upcoming group facilitations knowing that Ihave the tools for a far better outcome. Thiswas definitely the most useful course I haveever done and will have a profound affect onmy abilit ies as a group leader . Otherparticipants in the group have expressed theopinion that they enjoyed this learningexperience and learnt many useful techniquesthat they can take back to their workplace.

There are many other REC courses availablewhich would be worthwhile bringing to the NTsuch as Adult Learning in Rural Extension,Development of Workshops and ExtensionPackages, and Managing and PlanningProjects. Credits from these courses can gotowards a Graduate Certificate, Diploma orMasters of Rural Systems Management or elseas a credit towards many other qualifications.I believe that there will be lots of interest andbenefit in bringing more of these courses tothe Territory.

If you are interested in attending any of thesecourses in the future please contact ChrisWicks at the research station on 89739769 oremail chris.wicks@nt.gov.au.

ph: 8973 9738

Interesting WebsiteThere is a crop prediction page on the DBIRDwebsite. Check it out:www.nt.gov.au/dbird/dpif/plants/horticulture/pdf/crop_%20forecast_1_9_03.pdf

Singing Cicadas?Has anybody noticed that the cicadas havestarted singing about two weeks earlier thisyear? Cicadas emerge from the ground eachyear to breed so perhaps they are predictingan early wet season?

Page....................8

KRRDepartment of BusinessIndustry and ResourceDevelopment

PO Box 1346KATHERINE 0851Tel: (08)89739739Fax: (08)89739777rebecca.mather-brown@nt.gov.au

If Undelivered please return to:PO Box 1346KATHERINE NT 0851

Reproduction of Rural Review Articles

The Northern Territory Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development welcomes the reproduction of articles appearing inthis newsletter, but requests that the technical information be confirmed with the Editor or Author, prior to publication. The departmentalso requests that acknowledgement be made for any original work sourced from the Katherine Rural Review

The success of the recent EDGE network®Northern Nutrition workshop, and the level ofinterest expressed since, has resulted in an-other workshop being scheduled in Katherineon 25-27 November 2003. The workshop, de-signed specifically for beef production enter-prises in northern Australia, has received a greatresponse by graziers in the Northern Territory.

Seventeen producers attended the workshopheld in Mataranka on 23-25 September 2003.

Nutrition course successgenerates new interestNaomi Boughen, Alliance Consulting & Management ph: (07) 3367 1113 or 0438 372 156

All participants were very satisfied with the work-shop suggesting that it was very relevant to theirsituation and that the knowledge and skills theylearnt exceeded their expectations.

The Northern Nutrition workshop is part ofEDGEnetwork, an initiative of Meat and Live-stock Australia. The workshop covers five keytopics including:

• Ruminant nutrition• Pasture growth and quality• Cattle performance and grazing

management• Mineral nutrition• Managing the nutritional shortfall.

Farmbis subsidies are available, making thecost of the 3-day workshop approximately $355to eligible participants. For more informationor to reserve your place at the upcomingworkshop, please contact Naomi Boughen onthe above number or email:nboughen@allianceconsulting.com.au