Property management under exceptional seasonal conditions

With most NT regions experiencing lower than anticipated rainfall during 2018/2019 seasons and a reduction in available feed, many pastoral properties have an increased risk of running short of feed, managing lighter conditioned cattle and considering destocking options, especially those properties carrying high stock numbers. Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, Anthony Kettle and Principal Livestock Biosecurity Officer, Thomas Haines visited twelve properties in the Barkly region over a three day period in March 2019. The trip was made to identify issues that pastoralists were experiencing as a result of the below average season.

During the visits pastoralists outlined their management plans for the coming year. All of the properties visited had started implementing strategies to best manage the condition of their livestock and land for the year to come. The majority of pastoralists were in the midst of destocking and finding further agistment on properties in either Western Australia or Queensland.  Pastoralists had also begun adding water points and opening up new country to be grazed by livestock, weaning early when practical and providing supplements for cattle to help maintain their condition.

The Livestock Biosecurity Branch are very grateful for the time the pastoralists took out of their busy schedule to show the pasture and livestock conditions across the Barkly and discuss their plans for the coming year. Resources for the 2019 northern pastoral season available to assist with management planning can be sourced from the Western Australian Government website.

The department is also coordinating the water infrastructure rebate scheme where eligible NT pastoral properties are entitled to a 25% rebate of up to $25,000 for the purchase and installation of operational water infrastructure that manages the welfare of livestock and improves drought resilience. For more information and applications go to the Northern Territory Government website.