2007 NTCA Yearbook - Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association

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Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Incorporated Advancing and Protecting the Interests of Cattle Producers in the Northern Territory NTCA Executive Director’s Report cont. The NTCA has fought tirelessly during the past 12 months to win appropriate recognition and relief for southern NT producers, through both the Australian and Northern Territory Governments. We have approached the Territory Government for property lease fees to be temporarily waived for pastoralists that are financially burdened because of the drought. We presented a comprehensive EC application to Agriculture Minister, Peter McGauran, and we are delighted to report that Minister McGauran has heard our plea and has delivered the interim drought support package for our southern producers. Territory Senator and newly appointed federal minister for community services Nigel Scullion announced this week that, for the first time, drought-ravaged Northern Territory stations have been approved for inclusion in the same Australian Government Exceptional Circumstance (EC) Assistance package as properties in other Australian states. This welcome break-through means that more than 30 droughtaffected pastoralists in the Alice districts have been recognised for the importance of maintaining the industry’s contribution to the Australian economy. The Prima facie declaration means that immediate income support is available for people that satisfy the means test criteria. More importantly applications may now be started for business and interest support in anticipation of the time full EC declaration announcement. The timeframe for The National Rural Agricultural Committee (NRAC) to assess and determine full EC is up to six months. This is far too long for producers to wait, especially considering that most are in their fourth and fifth year of severe drought. We call on the Australian Government to expedite the full EC process for southern producers. Environment and land management issues Environmentally responsible land management has again been at the forefront for our members in 2006. We are always proud to broadcast the fact, particularly to the strident, ill-informed critics of our industry, that more than 85 per cent of our members are actively involved in their local landcare groups. Territory cattle station owners and operators, like those involved in the Douglas Daly Adaptive Management initiative, know that without a strong commitment to protecting and properly We are always proud to broadcast the fact, particularly to the strident, illinformed critics of our industry, that more than 85 per cent of our members are actively involved in their local landcare groups. managing their precious land resources, the future in this industry will be bleak. The holders of the pastoral estate are the most dominant land managers in the Northern Territory. Less than 250 cattle producers manage 620,000 sq km of the NT pastoral estate – which represents 9.6 per cent of the Australian Land mass. Feral Animals Feral animals continue to be a major concern for Northern Territory pastoralists, with wild dogs, horses, donkeys and camels still having an impact on stock and land resources. Our members estimate that 3500 to 4500 head of cattle are killed or maimed by wild dogs every year. The impact is particularly fierce during dry or drought conditions when these starving packs inflict an estimated $4 to $5 million worth of damage on pastoral properties. The NT Parks and Wildlife Service recently reported that after 30 years of responsible control programs using 1080 poison baiting, the Territory now has a healthy population of pure bred dingoes. Perhaps the dingo has learned to bark. The NTCA argues that bait laying and the implementation of other control measure should be based on sensible risk assessment. Our association also believes the NT Government should take a sensible control approach by allowing producers to protect their livelihood from cruel and vicious wild dog attacks on aged cattle, cows and vulnerable young calves. If the NT Government is serious about protecting the gene pool of the dingo it must follow the example of the other states in Australia and allow us to use new technologies such as Doggone baits to control the wild dog problem. Research Farms under threat Government-run research farms are under threat in the Territory and any closures will have an impact on how our cattlemen go about their business. These institutions ground-truth key R&D projects and provide critical training for departmental extension staff, who can then pass on their valuable advice to land and stock owners. They run extension work field days, demonstrate research innovations and provide a focus for district industry and producer association meetings. R&D conducted on northern region research stations has underpinned the vibrant $180 million-a-year live export through jointlyfunded industry and government animal husbandry, market development and promotional programs. Likewise, other regional facilities provide invaluable back-up for cattlemen wanting to improve their stock for the domestic sector. Our network of Territory research stations is critical in underpinning the potential for future generations within our industry to operate successfully in tune with changing climatic, market and other aspects. Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association Year in review 2006-2007 23
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2007 NTCA Yearbook - Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association

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