Katherine Rural Review Produced by Katherine Research Station

Edition 248 April/May 2003 VRD Ringers get to know their grass.

Andrea Johnson

Ringers and station staff from VRD Participants from "Simon, Wendy and Centre Camp and Pigeon Hole Pigeon Hole Rachel presenting thier recently completed the Rangeland station plan map to Pigeon Hole Staff" Management Course run by DBIRD Alison Beasley staff from the Katherine Research Rhys Williams Station. With plenty of lush growth Tom Schneider and flowering pasture plants to look Simon Ham at, everyone learnt a range of new Wendy Retter pasture plants and weeds Rachel Hall important to the pastoral industry Mark Tarrant "Tom,Rhys, Mark in NT. Most of the staff attending the courses Leeanne Goody and Alison-planning were new to the and learnt lots where to put fences about station management and animal Congratulations and troughs on their production. to everyone property" involved. Keep The Rangeland Management Course is a 1 day up the good work with learning your grasses, course designed to give Ringers, Head Stockmen and be sure to keep an eye out for any new and station staff a better understanding of some introduced weeds. of the important issues concerning stock and land management in the north Australian pastoral It is hoped in the future to run the Rangeland industry. Management Course and the Stock Things covered in the course include: Management Course (both facilitated by DBIRD at KRS) together as a 2 day workshop for station • Pasture dynamics and identifying major staff and people new to the industry or area. pasture species. If you would like more information about these • Fire and its’ uses and threats on cattle courses, or would like to organise a training day, stations. contact Pippa or Kieren at the KRS. • Cattle nutrition Ph. 89739 739 • Weeds of the • Station planning

Participants from VRD Centre Camp Angus Archinal Rod Mackander John Brosnan Angus Hamilton Leanne Goody Arthur Maher from Heytsbury's Katherine Rural Review Brendan Seagren Research and PO Box 1346 Gary Faulks Development KATHERINE NT 0851 team showing the Tel: 89 739 739 KerrieBarnett Pigeon Hole Mob Fax: 89 739770 Kerryn Millar how the new [email protected] water medicator system works on ISSN 0156-9589 VRD Siberian Millet-the grass that came in from the cold.

Andrew Dougall 89 739 780 Last season we trialled Upland Rice, Sorghum, Variety screening for wet-season cover crops has Dwarf Pearl Millet, and Sabi Grass. Upland rice continued during the 2002-2003 was found to be unsuitable while the other season. The cotton research varieties required further assessment. section at KRS has undertaken this work for the last two years. This season we trialled Sorghum, Dwarf Pearl Requirements for suitable cover Millet, Siberian Millet, and Fox Tail Millet. crops differ according to the Sorghum and Dwarf Pearl Millet were unsuitable farming system. As cotton is for a second year and will not be trialled again. grown here under a zero till mulch Siberian Millet was the star performer choking farming system we require a out weeds and producing beautiful mulch. Even cover crop that will produce a after the Siberian Millet had hayed off weed mulch thin enough to allow the germination is suppressed suggesting an passage of a zero till planter yet allopathic effect. More work is required. This man is not thick enough to lower soil siberian...but he is moisture loss, prevent weed germination, prevent Next season we hope to try Finger Millet. This standing in siberian erosion and protect young seedlings. is a common food crop in eastern where it millet is made into flat bread and porridge. Grasses are preferable to allow for selective weed control during the wet. Conversely for a Additionally large areas of Finger Millet are grown conventional tillage system cover crops that are in Brazil where it is used in feedlots. It will be suitable for mechanical incorporation and interesting to see if it can out perform Siberian produce a high biomass are desirable. In both Millet. cases a vigorous root system is required to remedy soil compaction Horticultural Happenings in Katherine Julie Bird ph: 89 739 738

The dry season is here at last. Time to turn off Melons have again become a major crop for the the aircon and see what’s happening outside. Katherine region as they were in the past. Planting There have been plenty of horticultural has been carried out during March. Many growers happenings in the Katherine region beginning are planting into green manure crops such as with our first harvest of commercial quantities of sorghum and maize to improve the biology and grapefruit. structure of their soils. It’s good to see that sustainable farming techniques are being Several local citrus growers harvested red-fleshed practiced by our local growers. Also, welcome to grapefruit. Some growers had their fruit packed the new growers in the region. in Darwin then sent to the southern markets. Locally grown grapefruit have a green skin due The mango trees at the research station received to the lack of cold weather so fruit is “de-greened” a severe pruning after harvest with the mechanical or gassed with ethylene to produce a colour more pruning saw. The trees had excessive growth attractive to the consumer. Many consumers caused by high nitrogen trials and low have preconceived ideas regarding grapefruit. The maintenance over the last few years. Katherine old white fleshed grapefruit varieties can be sour, Horticulture Staff have since been kept busy whereas the red fleshed varieties grown by our pruning out the insides of the trees and mulching local horticulturalists are very sweet. It may take the prunings. time for consumers to fully appreciate the KRR edition 248 difference. I hope a fruitful season will be had by all. CD-Rom Brings Information on VRD Fire Management

The Tropical Savannas CRC and the Bushfire Council of * a pdf of Rodd Dyer’s thesis Fire and vegetation the NT have released a CD-ROM on fire management in management in pasture lands of the Victoria River the VRD and Sturt Plateau region. District, Northern Territory; * case-studies of the costs and benefits of fire It features the following sections: management from five stations in the region; * an introduction and frequently-asked questions about * summaries of the effect of different fire patterns on managing fire in the region; native plant and native animal communities; * a section on how to use information from satellites: to * excerpts from the book Savanna Burning and Darrell locate “hotspots” where fires are actually burning Lewis’ study of landscape change in the VRD Slower over the last few hours; to map out where fires than the Eye can See. have burnt over the last few weeks and months; and to monitor the greenness of grassy fuel. Links The disk features animations, videos and links to web- to useful websites for obtaining satellite information sites to make the research findings easier to understand. are given; * the fire histories of a number of locations in the VRD; The CD was produced by Rohan Fisher and the project * a description of fuel dynamics that shows how the fire was supported by Meat and Livestock , the intensity depends on the fuel load in the pasture, Natural Heritage Trust and the NT Department of Business, and how the flammability or “greenness” of grassy Industry and Development. fuel varies with time of year and type of country, this section also contains a pdf of a Fuel Curing To order a copy of the CD which will run on PCs or Macs Guide for the VRD/Sturt Plateau, and sells for $10, contact * a guide to how fire can be used to manage grazing and Janely Seah, Tropical Savannas CRC, tel: (08) 89 466 764 pasture condition as well as how it can be used to fax: (08) 89 467 107 email: [email protected]. manage woody weeds,

North Australian Fuel Guide

A field guide that helps land managers and fire of up to 6000 kg a hectare that can carry authorities estimate the amount of fire a pasture intense wildfires. When combined with the can carry, as well as the flammability of those curing photos, these fuel load photos can pastures is now available. be used to help gauge the types of fire a pasture can carry. Written and compiled by Andrea Johnson, formerly of the NT Department of Business, The production of the all-weather, full-colour, 25- Industry and Resource Development, the North page booklet was supported by the Bushfires Australian Grassland Fuel Guide focuses on the Council NT and the Tropical Savannas red and black soil country of the VRD and Sturt Management CRC and fits in the glove box or a Plateau , but should also be useful in other parts large pocket. of north Australia. The guide is available from the It features two sections: TS–CRC for $5 (includes · Section 1 shows high definition photos of GST). To order a copy, go to different red soil and black soil plots at the Publications Link on the various stages of curing from green (0-10% Tropical Savannas CRC cured) to tinder-dry (80-100% cured). These website. photos can be used to gauge the curing of red and black soil country in the region.. Or you can call the · Section 2 shows high definition photos of TS–CRC on 08 8946 different types of country with various fuel 6285 or Fax 08 8946 loads ranging from lightly grassed pastures 7107 (0-1000 kg per hectare) that will normally only carry a patchy fire, to thick pastures page ...... 3 Control Of Leafminer in Top End Orchards

Megan Connolly. KRS Entomology Ph: 89 739 762

This information sheet aims to highlight DESCRIPTION & LIFE CYCLE important facts concerning the insect pest, • The adult moth is about 4 mm long and has citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella) and silvery-white wings (with a small dark spot suggests strategies to reduce infestations in on each). orchards. Similar strategies also apply to • Due to their minute size and nocturnal habits single trees owned by individuals, either they are rarely seen. growing in pots or within a garden setting. The • Moths will lay many tiny eggs onto the underside of new flush leaves and these will hatch in 2-4 days. • Newly hatched larvae can first be seen feeding between the leaf epidermis and leaf tissue closest to the mid-vein. • After 6-7 days of mining under the leaf surface, the fully developed larvae will pupate within a leaf-fold that they have prepared using silk. • The full lifecycle from egg to newly emerged adult is completed in 14-18 days. There are usually about 15 generations per year.

DAMAGE • The feeding activities of citrus leafminer larvae produces a twisting, silvery-white trail on the leaves resulting in new flush foliage becoming distorted and curled. period from November through to April is the • Leaf damage of this type will result in less Pupal Chamber ideal time to monitor for citrus leafminer leaf surface area being available for damage and to commence control or photosynthesis. Citrus leafminer trail • on grapefruit leaf preventative measures. At this time across Advanced stages of mining may cause leaf the Top End the wet season is well advanced tissue to breakdown or die off and even shed and new growth flushes are occurring entirely. frequently and especially on citrus. Hopefully • The growth of newly planted and younger this information will assist in safeguarding your citrus trees can be severely retarded through citrus trees from excessive leafminer damage continued citrus leafminer damage. over these wetter months. • Although the damage on mature trees can Control of Citrus Leafminer in Top End be unsightly, this damage does not usually Orchards lead to yield losses. ORIGIN • Citrus leafminer originated from South- MONITORING East . • For effective controls using oils it is imperative to identify flushes of new growth at a very DISTRIBUTION early stage. • First detected in Darwin around 1912 and • Adult moths will lay eggs onto young flush has since been a common pest in the almost as soon as the new shoots have Northern Territory. emerged. • Citrus leafminer occurs on all known • Monitor regularly even daily for signs of bud varieties of citrus. break on several trees across entire blocks. • Currently distributed throughout most • Targeted shoots need to be less than 20 mm citrus producing of the world and long and as a guide the action level for still spreading. applying petroleum oils is when 25% of the block is in flush. SUMMARY • Attention to timing of pruning and fertiliser • Expect an increase in citrus leafminer activity applications can assist in synchronising over the wetter months. growth flushes, especially on mature trees. • The full lifecycle from egg to newly emerged • Managed growth flushes will take less effort adult is completed in 14-18 days. to detect, enabling the delivery of timely • Growth of younger trees can be retarded by protection measures. continuous leafminer damage. • New shoots targeted for control need to be RECOMMENDED CONTROL less than 20 mm long. • Although synthetic chemicals have been the • D-C Tron PlusTM petroleum spray oil is ideally main method of control in most countries, suited for control. there are now softer chemical control options • Prevent moths from laying eggs by leaving that have proven to be effective in controlling a protective film of oil on all leaf surfaces. this pest. • High volume applications of 250-500 mL oil • It is not recommended to target adult moths per 100 L of water is required. with insecticides. Larvae and pupae are • Sprays should be repeated every 6-10 days equally difficult to control, as they remain until the smallest leaves are 40 mm long. protected within the leaf. • Petroleum spray oils such as D-C Tron TM Plus are ideally suited to the task of For further information on citrus leafminer or other preventing moths from laying eggs by leaving insect enquiries please contact Entomology on a protective film of oil on the leaf surface. 8973 9762 in Katherine or 8999 2260 in Darwin. • High volume applications of 250-500 mL oil per 100 L of water should be applied when Further Reading flush appears. • Oil sprays need repeating every 6-10 days Smith, D., Beattie, G.A.C. & Broadley, R. until the smallest leaves have reached 40 (eds). 1997, Citrus pests and their natural mm long. enemies: integrated pest management in • With continued flushing such as in younger Australia. State of Department of orchards and particularly during the wet Primary Industries and Horticultural Research season, sprays need to be repeated to keep and Development Corporation. a continuous film of oil on any new growth flushes. Smith, E.S.C. 1994, Citrus leaf miner. Primary • At other times of the year citrus leafminer Industry and Fisheries. N.T. Agnote No. 593, damage will be less severe, however January 1994. monitoring for other pest infestations is recommended. Wilson, C.G. 1991, Notes on Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Phyllocnistidae) attacking four citrus varieties in Darwin. J. Aust. Ent. Soc., 30, p. 77-78. Quotable quotes Believe it or not folks there is someone out there who has requested the quotes make a come back. So here they are. If anyone has any suggestions on what they would like to see in the KRR don't hesitate to call 89739770 or email: [email protected]

“Those are my principles if you don’t like them I have others.” –Groucho Marx

“If you owe the bank $100 that’s your problem. If you owe the bank $100 million then that is their problem” J.P.Getty

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible”-Walt Disney

“We didn’t actually overspend the budget. The allocation simply fell short of our expenditure"-Keith Davis Have you ever seen a Steer at the Gym? Kieren McCosker Ph: 89 739 7777111 That is, oestrogens (female sex hormones) have Now-a-days you don’t have to go too far in the the greatest effect in entire males, andogens Northern Territory before coming across a (male sex hormones) are most effective in hormone growth promotant (HGP). However, females, while a combination of the two is best many people don’t understand how HGPs cause for steers. The expression of these hormones their desired response, what they actually do or is further influenced by the weight of the animal, what they are made of? Basically, a HGP is an the nutritional status of the animal and the time anabolic (growth enhancing) substance that of exposure to the HGP. uses the endocrine (hormone) system to increase muscle growth and decrease fat deposition. As A younger and lighter animal will display a greater it takes less energy to build muscle as opposed response to a HGP than an older and heavier to fat, the animal will display an enhanced weight animal. However, in saying this, the expression gain. The weight gains of the HGP is minimal to received from HGPs have non-existent if the been well documented. liveweight gain is below Steers implanted at 500 grams per day. Once Victoria River Research the nutritional threshold for Station in 1991 recorded expression is met, the liveweight gains up to 18 plane of nutrition kg above non-implanted determines the degree of stock. expression. An animal on a higher plane of nutrition HGPs come in the form of will respond more implants that are inserted effectively to the HGP subcutaneously in the than an animal on a lower ear. This site is used, as plane of nutrition. the ear does not enter the human foodchain and it The length of exposure to provides a slow consistent a HGP, will influence the release of the hormones HGP's expression. That to the animal (Nicolls, is, an animal which has 1999). The implants had previous exposure to contain either naturally a HGP will display a occurring sex hormones reduced response in such as oestradiol, progesterone or testosterone comparison to an animal which has not previously or contain chemicals that stimulate the release been exposed to a HGP. However, in saying of such hormones. The three most common this, sustained growth promotion can be HGPs in use around the Katherine region are achieved for extended periods. For extended Compudose®, Revalor® and Synovex®. situations, Bob Hunter, CSIRO in Queensland, Theseall release naturally occurring hormones has reported that multiple doses of short acting (Table 1). HGPs are preferrable over a single dose of a long acting HGP. As shown in Table 1, the hormone combinations, used in growth promotants, are gender specific.

Table 1: The hormone composition of common HGPs used in the Katherine Region. Implant Name Functional Life (days) Active oestrogen Active Androgen Other hormone Cattle Compudose 100 100-120 20mg oestradiol Steers and Heifers Compudose 200 ~200 24mg oestradiol Steers and Heifers Compudose 400 ~400 45mg oestradiol Steers and Heifers Revalor S 100-120 28mg oestradiol 140mg trenbolone acetate Steers Revalor H 100-120 20mg oestradiol 200mg trenbolone acetate Heifers Revalor G 100-120 12mg oestradiol 60mg trenbolone acetate Steers and Heifers Synovex with TBA 100-120 28mg oestradiol benzoate 200mg trenbolone acetate Steers and Heifers Synovex H 100-120 20mg oestradiol benzoate 200mg testosterone propionate Heifers Synovex S 100-120 20mg oestradiol benzoate 20mg progesterone Steers Synovex C 100-120 10mg oestradiol benzoate 100mg progesterone Calves When including females in an HGP program State and Territory precautions need to be taken as the female HGP group, androgens, are responsible for the governments unite on NLIS development of male characteristics and have in the past influenced the reproductive ability of the animals. Another reported side effect noted was timetable aim that a prolapse of the prepuce may develop in B. On 10 April all Primary Industry Ministers agreed indicus cattle following treatment with HGPs to move forward with a risk-based approach to the containing oestrogenic and trenbolone acetate implementation of the National Livestock hormones. Identification Scheme (NLIS).

As mentioned previously HGPs promote muscle The Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) growth, as opposed to fat deposition, which leads is made up of the Primary Industry Ministers from to a change in the composition of the animal. the Commonwealth and all states and territories An animal implanted with a HGP will have a larger and is responsible for driving agricultural policy that liveweight but a lower marbling or inter-muscular spans across state boundaries. fat score (Figure 1). As a result of the decrease in intramuscular fat, it has been found that non- One such issue that fits into this category is the HGP implanted animals are tenderer than those National Livestock Identification Scheme for cattle that have been implanted with HGPs. and the National Flock Identification Scheme for sheep and lambs.

The decision to proceed taking a risk based approach means that some livestock will not require individual identification.

In respect of cattle, herd-based identification and tracing arrangements will apply where cattle go from property of birth directly to slaughter or live export.

However, where cattle go to saleyards, feedlots or other properties before slaughter or live export, individual (NLIS-approved) animal identification devices would be applied prior to leaving the Figure 1: The effect of a Hormone Growth Promotant property of birth. on Marbling Both mechanisms would be linked to the central NLIS database.

Bit of Trivia... For sheep, a flock-based identification and tracing arrangement would apply across the board, using What are you looking at? NFIS-approved devices linked to the NLIS database. Dogs have about 100 different facial expressions, most of them made with the All Ministers agreed to aim for implementation by ears. Unfortunately, the likes of bulldogs 1 July 2004 for cattle and 1 July 2005 for sheep, and pitbulls only have 10, due to their noting that full implementation will be dependant breeding. Therefore, these dogs easily on a range of practical considerations which will get misinterpreted by other dogs and need to be worked through by Industry and their often get into fights. respective state/territory government. - Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words. - Clinophobia Producers requiring information regarding NLIS is the fear of beds. legislation in their state should contact their local - Paedophobia state department of agriculture. is a fear of children. - Automatonophobia For more information contact Kel Small the NT is a fear of ventriloquist’s dummies, Coordinator and RSI Darwin 89 992034 or Katherine animatronic creatures, wax statues or Stock Inspector Tony Moran 89 739 767 anything that falsly represents a sentient being. What's new with weed biocontrol?

Blair Grace. DIPE: 89 992 129 Nicole Ostemeyer. DIPE 89 992 266

Insects have successfully we can best use it against Noogoora burr in the controlled several weeds in Territory” Roni said. the Top End. By introducing natural enemies from the On the mimosa front, the biocontrol team is weed’s home range, a seeing results of their previous work. “The battle problem plant can be against mimosa is slowly being won, and we have brought back into a natural recently released a new insect that eats its balance. Salvinia and sida leaves” Blair said. We have just found that two are the best examples of other insects, a stem boring moth and a seed this in the NT. The feeding weevil are now working together to Biological Control Section of drastically reduce seed production of this weed. DIPE, with help from We are also working closely with community CSIRO, is looking at rangers to set up quick ways of redistributing bringing in more insects to some of our insects on Aboriginal land. Along control other weeds. We are with CSIRO, we are finding the best methods of currently investigating combining grazing with chemical, physical and insects for bellyache bush, biological control to manage the weed and stop Noogoora burr, mimosa, it reinvading.” sida and hyptis. To increase our chances of success, we must NTU We have a new insect for also know something about the weeds we have student Roni Edgar bellyache bush, which we will be releasing targeted – know your enemy. The Biological measuring the effects of rust on Noogoora shortly. Senior Biocontrol Officer Dr. Blair Grace Control Section are investigating the biology and burr plants. Photo said, “The Seed Sucking Bug is a pretty yellow control options for bellyache bush, senna, sida, Blair Grace, DIPE and black bug from that only saffron thistle, parkinsonia, Alligator weed, as well feeds on bellyache bush seeds. We are already as sporobolus and Mission grass. investigating plant populations and distribution before releasing the bug, and we will continue this work to find out what effect the bug Further has on bellyache Information bush, and how this Blair Grace, Senior can best be Biological Control combined with Officer (08) 8999 2129 other control [email protected] methods.” Nicole Ostermeyer, A student at Biological Control Northern Territory Officer (08) 8999 University, Roni 2266 Edgar (pictured) is [email protected] looking at a rust fungus that attacks Noogoora burr. The burr is Seed feeding bugs ready to be released on hardly a problem now in much of eastern Australia bellyache bush in the NT. Photo Richard because of the rust. Unfortunately, the rust Chan CSIRO doesn’t appear to have that much effect in the Territory, even though it spreads quite quickly in the wet season. “I thought the rust would do best in damp shady places, but it may be more complicated than that. I am keen to find out how and where the rust is most effective, and how Stock Course for ringers

Rebecca Mather-Brown 89 739 770

Late March saw the ringers and ringlets from stock camps assessed the content of the day. If Scott Creek and Willeroo get together for the you would like more Stock course presented by DBIRD. information on the stock course or The course covered a range of topics including: would like to hold a • Cattle production and nutrition course on your • horse health and nutrition property feel free to • Emergency animal disease awareness contact Alister • Breeder management in the tropics Trier 89 739 721 or • Live cattle export Kieren McCosker • Basic reproduction and genetics. 89 739 771. The stock course and The day consisted of a range of activities and the rangelands demonstrations. To start there were “in class” management slide shows then our Katherine region celebrity course can be run Stock Inspectors got their hands dirty and carved together over 2 days. Ringers and Ringlets up a beast whilst our equally famous vets gave a from Scott Creek and demonstration on samples that are taken for Willeroo autopsy.

Scott Creek’s resident chef turned on an amazing range of pastries and pizzas for smoko Katherine then it was back to planning out the years region celebrity activities for the station, watching a few more Stock slide shows and back to the kitchen where Dave Inspectors Scotty and had whipped up some more culinary delights for Bluey make a lunch. guest appearence After lunch it was into the world of export, presented by Alister Trier, who has been there and done all that and had some quite amusing anecdotes for us all…Bamboo stock crates...really Alister…what do you take us all for! No Mauricio! Mauricio and Sue (our infamous vets) gave I’ve told you before…the demos on vaccinating horses and took us other end is the through horse health and nutrition. rear end….

Then back to the yard for some more practical demonstrations on vaccinations, care of cattle selecting bulls, condition scoring and a multitude Kicking back for a of other interesting stuff. About then the local slide show on Emergency Animal experts Mr Kerr and Mr Gaff stepped in and Disease Awareness discussed how they like cattle handled in yards. This provided an excellent opportunity for the team to hear exactly how their manager, overseer Left: This horse and headstockmen would like them to operate shows Mauricio(DBIRD without having to rush because they were on the VET) how to give job. vaccinations correctly.

After a long brain strain of a day we all kicked back and blew the froth off a couple whilst the 2 March, 2003

LIVE CATTLE EXPORTS VIA DARWIN PORT

Destination Total Cattle NT Cattle only (including interstate) 2001 2002 Last year YTD 1-31 Previous 2001 2002 Last year YTD 1-31 Previous 31.03.02 31.03.03 Mar Month 31.03.02 31.03.03 Mar Month Difference Difference BRUNEI 16,155 19,085 4,960 5,743 1,787 1,435 352 11,003 12,012 2,952 5,128 1,787 1,382 405 EGYPT 52,692 10,873 0 0 0 0030,376 10,873 0 0 0 00 INDONESIA 151,190 199,327 14,909 45,344 12,590 15,957 -3,367 121,632 133,763 11,732 33,113 9,149 12,757 -3,608 PHILIPPINES 31,984 65,931 12,210 8,287 0 2,772 -2,772 25,701 52,692 11,774 4,770 0 1,155 -1,155 SABAH 110 318 0 0 0 00110 17 0 0 0 00 SAUDI ARABIA 0 6,550 0 0 0 000 5,066 0 0 0 00 SARAWAK 0 1,033 0 320 0 000 846 0 92 0 00 VIETNAM 941 0 0 0 0 0000 0 0 0 00 W-MALAYSIA 5,055 18,765 337 4,130 0 3,890 -3,890 4,350 13,839 337 2,157 0 2,157 -2,157 EAST TIMOR 032 0 0 0 0000 0 0 0 00 JORDAN 0 688 0 0 0 00 688 0 0 0 00 TOTAL 258,127 322,602 32,416 63,824 14,377 24,054 -9,677 193,172 229,796 26,795 45,260 10,936 17,451 -6,515 +31,408 +18,465

"March at a glance" Live Cattle Exports thru Port of Darwin • 14,377 head through the Port of Darwin 2002 v 2003 during March. A disappointing 9,677 head 50,000 45,000 less than February, but still 1,848 more 40,000 than March last year. 35,000 • The downturn on the graph clearly 30,000 indicates that March was not a good 25,000 month, however at this early stage we are 20,000 15,000 still 31,408 head up on last year and AQIS Cattle Head 10,000 veterinarian Robert Harmata assures me 5,000 that with 9 ships already booked April will 0 be a much better month! Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2002 2003

‘OTHER’ LIVESTOCK EXPORTS VIA DARWIN PORT (incl. NT and Interstate Stock) Buffalo Camels Goats Deer Horses Sheep Pigs Destination 2002 YTD 1-31 2002 YTD 1-31 2002 YTD 1-31 2002 YTD 1-31 2002 YTD 1-31 2002 YTD 1-31 2002 YTD 1-31 2003 Mar 2003 Mar 2003 Mar 2003 Mar 2003 Mar 2003 Mar 2003 Mar BRUNEI 3,3598311331441502,4391,147389370000043000000 EAST TIMOR 000000000000000000000 W-MALAYSIA 17332060914507,18298300004001,57300000 SAUDI ARABIA 00011800000000000000000 SARAWAK 570064100022523900600000000000 PHILIPPINES 000000000000296000068600 INDONESIA 0000000000001100000000 THAILAND 00000000032000000000000 TOTAL 3,589 863 133 935 260 0 9,846 2,369 389 357 60 0 44 6 0 2,003 0 0 686 0 0

PREVIOUS 6 YEARS

Total Cattle, Port of Darwin NT Cattle, Port of Darwin 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 383,535 448,196 219,439 280,011 299,179 258,127 322,602 189,918 246,389 160,412 192,441 222,669 193,172 229,796 EXCHANGE RATES

Key Currencies Current Previous week 3 months ago 1 Year ago Pre-devaluation 1 Australian Dollar = 31.03.03 24.03.03 31.12.02 31.03.02 01.07.1997 Brunei Dollar 1.0624 1.0464 0.9802 0.9844 1.076 Egyptian Pound 3.4683 3.4153 2.6273 2.4893 2.56 Euro 0.557 0.5593 0.5391 0.6137 N/A Indonesian Rupiah 5346.46 5312.64 5063.64 5261.9 1830 Libyan Dinar 0.7339 0.7224 0.7051 0.7183 0.27 Malaysian Ringgit 2.2783 2.2509 2.148 2.0299 1.9 Philippine Peso 32.8911 32.2797 30.3122 27.309 19.84 Thai Baht 25.8589 25.4324 24.5391 23.2353 18.6744 US Dollar 0.6013 0.5921 0.565 0.5339 0.752

NATIONAL CATTLE PRICES - W/E 28/03/03

JAPANESE STEER KOREAN STEER Estimated dressed weight price (cents/kg) Estimated dressed weight price (cents/kg) SALEYARDS O.T.HOOKS SALEYARDS O.T.HOOKS NSW QLD SA AV NSW QLD SA AV NSW QLD SA AV NSW QLD SA AV (Aust) (Aust) (Aust) (Aust) 348 346 304 339 308 336 305 308 322 323 315 321 301 316 nq 286 This week This week Last week 338 350 327 341 308 332 315 308 Last week 326 321 310 322 301 314 nq 285 Year ago 300 287 290 289 303 285 310 294 Year ago 289 279 291 290 nq 277 nq 277 US MANUFACTURING COW DOMESTIC TRADE STEER Estimated dressed weight price (cents/kg) Estimated dressed weight price (cents/kg) SALEYARDS O.T.HOOKS SALEYARDS O.T.HOOKS NSW QLD SA AV NSW QLD SA AV NSW QLD SA AV NSW QLD SA AV (Aust) (Aust) (Aust) (Aust) 264 286 253 271 249 283 223 233 342 330 329 335 281 306 nq 304 This week This week Last week 277 294 246 276 245 281 232 233 Last week 346 335 334 339 276 294 290 299 Year ago 275 251 256 256 254 247 280 250 Year ago 335 317 317 322 323 281 300 284 LIVE EXPORT QUOTES Estimated live weight price (cents/kg) LIGHT STEERS HEAVY STEERS (280-400 kg) (400+ kg) Prices courtesy of: Darwin T/ville F/mantle Darwin T/ville F/mantle Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). This week 180 nq nq 175 nq nq Last week 180 nq 168 175 nq 168 Year ago 185 nq nq 180 nq nq

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 in the compilation and preparation of this information, no responsibility is taken for its accuracy or for the completeness of any information that is reproduced from other sources. DBIRD denies any loss or damage to any person whether caused directly or indirectly by the use of any of the information provided. A big-city lawyer was representing the railroad in a lawsuit filed by an old rancher. The

rancher’s prize bull was missing from the section through which the railroad passed. The rancher only wanted to be paid the fair value of the bull.

The case was scheduled to be tried before the justice of the peace in the back room of the general store.

Ha! Ha! The attorney for the railroad immediately cornered the rancher and tried to get him to settle out of court. The lawyer did his best selling job, and finally the rancher agreed to take half of what he was asking.

After the rancher had signed the release and took the check, the young lawyer couldn’t resist gloating a little over his success, telling the rancher, “You know, I hate to tell you this, old man,

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

but I put one over on you in there. I couldn’t have won the case. The engineer was asleep and the fireman was in the caboose when the train went through your ranch that morning. I didn’t have one witness to put on the stand. I bluffed you!”

The old rancher replied, “Well, I’ll tell you, young feller, I was a little worried about winning that case myself, because that durned

KRR bull came home this morning.” Department of Business Industry and Resource Development

PO Box 1346 KATHERINE 0851 Tel: (08)89739739 Reproduction of Rural Review Articles Fax: (08)89739777 [email protected] The Northern Territory Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development welcomes the reproduction of articles appearing in this newsletter, but requests that the technical information be confirmed with the Editor or Author, prior to publication. The department Page...... 8 also requests that acknowledgement be made for any original work sourced from the Katherine Rural Review