V 36 (3-4) March - April 2004

IN THIS ISSUE

® Pastoral Market Update ® Owen Springs Update ® Comparing Mineral Supplements for Cattle ® Survival & Production - Part 2 ® Pasture Growth Modeling ® Great Results from Grazing for Profit ® The Australian Nuffield Farming Scholarships ® Notes from the Regional Director ® DBIRD Updates ® Monthly Review of Temperature and Rainfall

E-mail contact: [email protected]

Website: www.dbird.nt.gov.au Page 1 Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

)HEUXDU\

LIVE CATTLE EXPORTS VIA DARWIN PORT # Please note that the “NT CATTLE” figures are NT cattle exported through the Port of Darwin only – some NT cattle are exported through interstate ports. Destination TOTAL CATTLE (including interstate) # NT CATTLE Previous Previous Last year YTD 1-29 Last year YTD 1-29 2002 2003 Month 2002 2003 Month 28/02/03 29/02/04 Feb 28/02/03 29/02/04 Feb Difference Difference BRUNEI 19,085 16,572 3,956 2,337 1,569 768 +801 12,012 13,574 3,341 2,337 1,569 768 +801 EGYPT 10,873 0 0 0 00 0 10,873 0 0 0 000 INDONESIA 199,327 182,624 32,754 25,760 7,145 18,615 -11,470 133,763 145,274 23,964 25,760 7,145 18,615 -11,470 PHILIPPINES 65,931 51,792 8,287 5,903 3,000 2,903 +97 52,692 46,243 4,770 5,903 3,000 2,903 +97 SABAH 318 224 0 0 00 0 17 224 0 0 000 SAUDI ARABIA 6,550 0 0 0 00 0 5,066 0 0 0 000 SARAWAK 1,033 320 320 0 00 0 846 92 92 0 000 VIETNAM 00 0 0 00 0 00 0 0 000 W-MALAYSIA 18,765 9,028 4,130 0 00 0 13,839 7,055 2,157 0 000 EAST TIMOR 32 58 0 0 00 0 058 0 0 000 JORDAN 688 0 0 0 00 0 688 0 0 0 000 TOTAL 322,602 260,618 49,447 34,000 11,714 22,286 -10,572 229,796 212,520 34,324 34,000 11,714 22,286 -10,572 -15,447 -324

727$/Ã/LYHÃ&DWWOHÃ([SRUWVÃWKUXÃ3RUWÃRIÃ'DUZLQ "February at a glance" ÃYÃ 11,714 head through the Port of Darwin during February (again all NT cattle), 10,572 head less than January and 12,370 less 40000 than February last year.

30000 Australia wide, live cattle exports fell by 21.2% (206,093 20000 head) in 2003 over the previous year. By comparison, exports 10000 through the Port of Darwin fell 19.2% (61,984 head) and NT live cattle exports through the Port of Darwin fell by 7.5% 0 Jan F eb M ar Apr M ay Jun J ul Aug S ep Oct Nov Dec GvrÃ8hyrÃ@ Ãu ÃurÃQ ÃsÃ 9h vÃyhÃ Ãrh

17/LYH&DWWOH([SRUWVWKUX3RUWRI'DUZLQ 500000 450000 Y 400000 G 350000 35000 D H 300000 30000 Ã+ 25000 OH 250000 20000 W D 200000 15 0 0 0 & 10 0 0 0 150000 5000 100000 0 50000 0

2003 2004 7R WD OÃ& D WWOH 17Ã&DWWOH

PREVIOUS 7 YEARS Total Cattle, Port of Darwin NT Cattle, Port of Darwin 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 383,535 448,196 219,439 280,011 299,179 258,127 322,602 260,618 189,918 246,389 160,412 192,441 222,669 193,172 229,796 212,520 Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

February, 2004 continued

OTHER LIVESTOCK EXPORTS VIA DARWIN PORT (includes NT and Interstate Stock) Buffalo Camels Goats Deer Horses Sheep Pigs 1-29 1-29 1-29 1-29 1-29 1-29 1-29 Destination 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 Feb Feb Feb Feb Feb Feb Feb BRUNEI 2,7744731809448483,29586444000000035200000 EAST TIMOR 000000 0 00000000000000 W-MALAYSIA 3200145006,4360000000062500000 SAUDI ARABIA 000000 0 00000000000000 SARAWAK 00010000239006000000000000 PHILIPPINES 00000022300000600000000 INDONESIA 0000003409000120000000 THAILAND 000000 0 00000000000000 TOTAL 2,806 473 180 339 48 48 10,227 864 440 60 0 0 7 2 0 977 0 0 0 0 0 NATIONAL CATTLE PRICES - W/E 27/02/04 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) This week 296 295 273 287 292 278 270 278 This week 283 296 274 282 294 261 nq 278 Last week 292 285 272 284 300 296 278 291 Last week 295 289 296 289 295 279 nq 287 Year ago 332 311 311 328 286 311 275 284 Year ago 306 294 281 295 262 289 nq 264 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) This week 244 264 244 246 240 234 218 224 This week 321 323 307 317 299 269 255 293 Last week 238 256 241 242 235 253 210 224 Last week 317 313 299 313 299 nq 255 298 Year ago 270 302 224 265 221 253 188 208 Year ago 312 330 300 313 272 268 250 279 LIVE EXPORT QUOTES Estimated live weight price (cents/kg) LIGHT STEERS HEAVY STEERS (280-400 kg) (400+ kg) Darwin F/mantle Darwin F/mantle Prices courtesy of: Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). This week 162 nq 160 nq Last week 162 150 160 150 Year ago 170 153 170 150 CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES Key Currencies Current Previous week 3 months ago 1 Year ago Pre-devaluation 1AUD = 29.02.04 22.02.04 30.11.03 28.02.03 01.07.97 Brunei Dollar 1.3251 1.3262 1.2621 1.0502 1.076 Egyptian Pound 4.8058 4.7975 4.4956 3.3325 2.56 Euro 0.6199 0.6141 0.6046 0.5628 N/A Indonesian Rupiah 6522.17 6517.36 6165.39 5391.35 1830 Libyan Dinar 1.0555 1.0491 0.9882 0.7384 0.27 Malaysian Ringgit 2.9298 2.9264 2.7555 2.3017 1.9 Philippine Peso 43.8042 43.5609 40.4201 32.9687 19.84 Thai Baht 30.3664 30.2101 28.9779 25.8337 18.6744 US Dollar 0.7742 0.7699 0.7247 0.6054 0.752

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. Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

0DUFK

LIVE CATTLE EXPORTS VIA DARWIN PORT # Please note that the “NT CATTLE” figures are NT cattle exported through the Port of Darwin only – some NT cattle are exported through interstate ports. Destination TOTAL CATTLE (including interstate) # NT CATTLE Previous Previous Last year YTD 1-31 Last year YTD 1-31 2002 2003 Month 2002 2003 Month 31/03/03 31/03/04 Mar 31/03/03 31/03/04 Mar Difference Difference BRUNEI 19,085 16,572 5,743 3,246 909 1,569 -660 12,012 13,574 5,128 3,246 909 1,569 -660 EGYPT 10,873 0 0 0 00 0 10,873 0 0 0 000 INDONESIA 199,327 182,624 45,344 27,425 1,665 7,145 -5,480 133,763 145,274 33,113 27,425 1,665 7,145 -5,480 PHILIPPINES 65,931 51,792 8,287 8,065 2,162 3,000 -838 52,692 46,243 4,770 8,065 2,162 3,000 -838 SABAH 318 224 0 0 00 0 17 224 0 0 000 SAUDI ARABIA 6,550 0 0 0 00 0 5,066 0 0 0 000 SARAWAK 1,033 320 320 0 00 0 846 92 92 0 000 VIETNAM 00 0 0 00 0 00 0 0 000 W-MALAYSIA 18,765 9,028 4,130 0 00 0 13,839 7,055 2,157 0 000 EAST TIMOR 32 58 0 0 00 0 058 0 0 000 JORDAN 688 0 0 0 00 0 688 0 0 0 000 TOTAL 322,602 260,618 63,824 38,736 4,736 11,714 -6,978 229,796 212,520 45,260 38,736 4,736 11,714 -6,978 -25,088 -6,524

727$/Ã/LYHÃ&DWWOHÃ([SRUWVÃWKUXÃ3RUWÃRIÃ'DUZLQ ÃYÃ "March at a glance"

35000 4,736 head through the Port of Darwin 30000 during March (again all NT cattle), 6,978 25000 head less than February and 9,641 less 20000 than March last year. 15000 Lowest monthly live cattle export numbers 10000 through the Port of Darwin since February 5000 2002.

0 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOct Nov Dec GvrÃ8hyrÃ@ Ãu ÃurÃQ ÃsÃ

9h v yhÃ Ãrh 17Ã/LYHÃ&DWWOHÃ([SRUWVÃWKUXÃ3RUWÃRIÃ'DUZLQ 500000 ÃYÃ 450000 35000 400000 G 30000 D 350000 H + 300000 25000 Ã H 250000 WO 20000 W D 200000 & 15000 150000 100000 10000 50000

5000 0

0 JanFebMarAprMay J un J ul Aug S ep Oct Nov Dec

7RWD OÃ& D WWOH 17Ã& D WWOH

March, 2004 continued

OTHER LIVESTOCK EXPORTS VIA DARWIN PORT (includes NT and Interstate Stock) Buffalo Camels Goats Deer Horses Sheep Pigs 1-31 1-31 1-31 1-31 1-31 1-31 1-31 Destination 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar Mar BRUNEI 2,77454774944803,295864000000035200000 EAST TIMOR 000000 0 00000000000000 W-MALAYSIA 3200145006,4360000000062500000 SAUDI ARABIA 000000 0 00000000000000 SARAWAK 00010000239006000000000000 PHILIPPINES 00000022300000600000000 INDONESIA 0000003409000120000000 THAILAND 000000 0 00000000000000 TOTAL 2,8065477433948010,2278640600072097700000

NATIONAL CATTLE PRICES - W/E 26/03/04 JAPANESE OX 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) This week 306 315 291 310 292 294 290 289 This week 301 306 289 300 278 nq nq 278 Last week 308 314 282 307 292 302 290 289 Last week 305 307 281 303 283 nq nq 283 Year ago 341 346 304 339 308 336 305 308 Year ago 322 323 315 321 301 316 nq 286 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) This week 257 269 250 260 241 248 228 225 This week 334 327 318 327 290 255 255 287 Last week 258 281 251 264 242 242 228 225 Last week 331 326 309 325 288 287 255 294 Year ago 264 286 253 271 249 283 223 233 Year ago 342 330 329 335 281 306 nq 304 LIVE EXPORT QUOTES Estimated live weight price (cents/kg) LIGHT STEERS HEAVY STEERS (280-400 kg) (400+ kg) Darwin F/mantle Darwin F/mantle Prices courtesy of: Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). This week 162 150 162 150 Last week 162 nq 162 nq Year ago 180 nq 175 nq CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES Key Currencies Current Previous week 3 months ago 1 Year ago Pre-devaluation 1AUD = 31.03.04 24.03.04 31.12.03 28.02.03 01.07.97 Brunei Dollar 1.2693 1.2698 1.2758 1.0624 1.076 Egyptian Pound 4.7012 4.686 4.6341 3.4683 2.56 Euro 0.6192 0.6106 0.5971 0.557 N/A Indonesian Rupiah 6497.91 6461.11 6344.12 5346.46 1830 Libyan Dinar 1.0286 1.0261 1.0218 0.7339 0.27 Malaysian Ringgit 2.8688 2.8594 2.842 2.2783 1.9 Philippine Peso 42.5217 42.5053 41.776 32.8911 19.84 Thai Baht 25.1595 25.1231 25.5648 20.9493 18.6744 US Dollar 0.7537 0.7526 0.7495 0.6013 0.752

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

Owen Springs Update When they started we saw a clean skin entire Quickly shoot up to the front A naming competition was recently conducted by And we knowing that if once they reached that scrub AZRI staff to give an identifying name for the We would be thrown right out of the hunt. portion of Owen Springs that is to be used for pastoral research. A different name was needed So before reaching the scrub, we stopped them as there are many other Owen Springs such as And started them for the Old Man Plain, Owen Springs Rangers Station, Parks & Wildlife If in that direction we could only keep them, Owen Springs, Owen Springs Reserve and the A victory we must surely gain. Owen Springs lease area. 21 Entries were received showing a strong interest for a new But the leader turned short, round for the scrub name. When the votes were tallied it was Bryan So I quickly shot up to the front, Gill who had the winning entry: But my horse came down such a cropper, That I was thrown right out of the hunt. Old Man Plains Research Station Now J McLeod was all alone, Bryan gave his explanation for selecting the And theyre making a terrible pace name, as follows: But he stuck to them like a horseman should, And run them clean out of the race I was doing research on the Owen Springs - Mulga Dam Area and came across this poem by H.Wheeler we never saw from the start, Alex McLeod who worked on Owen Springs in What became of him nobody knows, 1898, so I thought it appropriate that the new Unless the country was a bit too rough,

name should reflect the history of this area Thats what it was, I suppose. ○○○○○○○○○○○○

A copy of the poem follows: ○○○○○

The Warrigal Run

By Alex McLeod, October 10th 1897 Quick Reminder We received our orders from headquarters To muster the mulga scrub of the west, The Australian Rangeland Society will be holding its So each man knew that the horses he wanted 13th Biennial Conference in Alice Springs at the Must certainly be of the best. Minnamurra Hall, St Phillips College. Full time Land Managers and Students are encouraged to attend The next day we shod up our horses with a discount of 50% available on full conference And made for a yard out west, registration. For we had to muster a tailing mob Before we could touch the rest. The conference will cover the following topics Having got a tailing mob, we started w Environmental Risk Management Out for the Box Hole Flat, w Economic & Social Management Which is the nearest point to the mulga scrub And all fine open country at that. w Showcasing and Positioning the Next Generation w Business Systems Wheeler, J. McLeod and myself went away On some tracks that were fresh we could see, w Indigenous Land Management And about six miles from the tailing mob w Biodiversity Management We saw them under a tree. w Multiple Use & Multiple Users Now our only chance for to get them Was to make to the westward side Anyone who is interested in attending should contact And start them straight for the tailing mob Sarah Nicolson, Intercomm Event Coordination on And ride as the boldest horsemen ride. (08) 8357 3378 or 0419 815 864 or email [email protected] For further information is available at www.austrangesoc.com.au/conferences.asp

Page 6 Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

Owen Springs / Old Man Plains potential replication for research trials; and locating fence lines on stable soils that will not create Research Station Developments erosion hazards. We have cleared the first fence line and are hoping to engage industry experience as we Alison Kennedy, Pastoral Production Officer, progress with these plans. Alice Springs

Approximately 522 km2 of the former Owen Springs Pastoral Lease has been allocated to the Primary Industry Group for pastoral research. Currently, efforts are under way to secure and record the resources in this area. We have also started work on development plans and will be actively seeking industry involvement in the near future. Some of the initial challenges include developing infrastructure that will allow us to run a successful research station and monitor the natural resources.

On-Ground Works Bryan Gill flags some of the fenceline ably assisted by Lolly DBIRD staff have been very busy in the last few months, with some important on-ground Our first fence line has been designed to ensure that developments. One of the first tasks was to clear we have several options for subdividing the paddock, firebreaks along the eastern boundary as this was as may be required, for future research trials. The considered to be a high-risk area given fuel loads and fence has been located on high ground wherever neighbouring land uses. possible, avoiding low lying drainage areas and long slopes where erosion is likely to occur. This means that our fence is not perfectly straight but has a few subtle changes of direction! We believe that the extra cost in building corner assemblies will be returned via savings in fence line erosion maintenance.

Col Stanton at home in the grader

The majority of the roads were in good condition and our priority, this year, has been to upgrade the primary roads and rehabilitate any areas of erosion. Keith Hill clears the fenceline Gullying has occurred where water becomes concentrated along windrows. In other areas, Planning Research Trials windrows prevented natural sheet flow from crossing the road. In these instances the land on the down In the coming months we will be re-assessing hill side of the road was being droughted and the existing monitoring sites so that we have a pasture growth was considerably restricted. snapshot of our natural resources prior to the commencement of research trials. There are already Col Stanton from DIPE provided expert advise and several RCA and Tier One sites on the land as well assistance in planning and implementing as CSIRO cattle and rabbit exclosures that have rehabilitation activities such as restoration of natural been established for approximately 20 years. drainage patterns, construction of whoaboys and off let drains to encourage drainage away from the road. We will be approaching industry for input into the We have had one small rainfall event since the project planning process. Project planning exercises completion of this work and already it is possible to in recent years are being used to help determine see where grass growth has been enhanced with the research directions however a dedicated research restoration of natural drainage patterns. facility provides us with new opportunities. There will be more information about planning research trials in Designing paddock layout for the area will be quite the coming months. challenging as we need to consider practical and efficient stock handling; land type, paddock size and

Page 7

Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

#7 #8

Ca : P : Ca N : S

(N)

Nitrogen

88.1 14.1 2.00 0.11

Total

(CPE)

Crude

Protein

7.0 30.5 4.9 1.43 0.51

20.0 41.2 6.6 1.64 0.06

19.3 39.8 6.4 1.05 0.03

(CP)

Protein

Salt MolassesCrude True

[------#5 ------] #6

(S)

Sulphur

0.9 0.4 0.8

7.2 1.6 30.0 3.0

6.0 3.0 37.0 4.8 4.7 28.2 4.5 1.36 0.67

7.0 0.00 3.8 25.4 4.7 48.8 7.8 1.40 0.00

0.4 0.2 3.2

0.7 0.7 2.7 39.5 10.5 31.5 5.0 1.40 0.14

(Ca)

Calcium

(P)

0.6

7.0 10.0 2.5 14.0

4.4

0.4

0.5

% % %%%%%%%

#2 #3

TPS 30.0 3.6

E,WL,

36.85 WL 72.7 3.6 4.7 213.6 34.2 0.14

25.00 P&FS 70.5 6.0 5.4 207.1 33.1 0.16

24.48 WL 7.2

45.60 WL 8.0

26.35 LF 8.0

55.00 E 10.0 1.5 9.0 0.5 5.0 35.0 3.5 32.9 5.3 6.00 0.09

24.50 LF 7.0

105.60

116.60 WL 15.0 5.0

121.00WL E, 7.1

$/pack

mix

block 100

block 19

block 100

block 16

block 100

Type Pack Cost Ref: Urea Phosphorus

drymix 25

ÕÕ

concentrate

Comparison of Urea and Phosphorus Supplements Phosphorus and Urea of Comparison

Dry

Medication

Water

Mix

Special NT Special

PFSNO3

TurboPro mix dry 25

(Mulga Mix) (Mulga

Special

Fermafos

Uramol

Urea Block Urea block 40

Secure 10% Secure

Phosrite Boost

Page 8

FOOTNOTES: #1

YOUR PRODUCT YOUR

Norprim

(South Africa) (South

LNT

Rumevite

Cheetham-

LNT

Olssons Sulfos

LNT

Olssons50 Peak

LNT

Manufacturer Product TABLE 1. TABLE Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

Comparing Mineral Supplements For Cattle

Jocelyn Coventry and Sally Leigo, Pastoral Production, Alice Springs

Using some familiar commercial supplements as examples, a comparative table (Table 1) has been produced to review some of the issues involved in mineral supplementation (see footnotes #1 - #12). An extra row underneath this table allows readers to put in comparative figures for other mineral supplements that they may be using.

Cost-effective and targeted mineral supplementation for cattle was one of the issues emphasised during the Northern Nutrition Course held at AZRI earlier this year.

A Couple of Conclusions: Õ Check the product label Õ Use the most cost effective supplement

FOOTNOTES:

#1 Energy, protein and phosphorus are the three most limiting nutrients in the diet of Alice Springs district cattle. There are many commercial, custom and homemade supplement options available, however urea or phosphorus supplements have been chosen for this exercise because they are relevant for addressing the above dietary limitations in this district.

#2 The information on the tabled supplements (blocks, dry mixes and water medication concentrate mixes) is sourced from manufacturers brochures, product labels, local cattle producers and livestock agents (E = Elders; LF = Laucke Feeds; P&FS = Pastoral & Feedlot Systems; TPS = Territory Pastoral Supplies; WL = Wesfarmers Landmark).

#3 Seasonal protein drought occurs in the Alice Springs district when the rangeland pasture dries-off and green forbs disappear. This not only leaves dry feed with low levels of digestibility and protein, but also increases reliance on Topfeed. In the absence of freight subsidy, high costs make it uneconomical to use true protein in the long-term to supplement dietary nitrogen for an extensively managed beef-breeding herd. Urea however provides a practical non-protein source of dietary nitrogen for extensive cattle herds.

#4 In red soil mulga and spinifex areas within the Alice Springs district, rangeland feed is usually marginally or acutely deficient in phosphorus. Strategic use of phosphorus supplementation increases the level of cattle production in these areas.

#5 Salt, molasses and true protein in supplement licks can act as attractants or moderators of intake levels. This in turn determines if the supplement will successfully provide adequate amounts of required nutrients.

#6 Total crude protein equivalent (CPE) provides a summary of all equivalent dietary protein in a cattle supplement. Total CPE= Non-Protein Nitrogene.g. (NPN from urea) + true Crude Protein (CP)

#7 Primary calcium deficiency in cattle is not reported under normal conditions in Central Australia, consequently a balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus (1:1 to 3:1 shown as 1.00 to 3.00 on the comparative table) is preferable in a supplement.

#8 Cattle grazing in mulga areas have a higher requirement for dietary sulphur, so supplements with a higher ratio of sulphur to nitrogen (1:5 to 1:10 shown as 0.20 to 0.10 on the comparative table) are more desirable under these conditions. Page 9 Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

Comparing Mineral Supplements For Cattle continued..

#9 The given rates of intake are the average of the manufacturers recommendations. However particularly with supplement licks (blocks, wet and dry mixes), various factors (e.g. water quality, soil quality, alternative feeds, uncontrolled surface waters, dominant cattle behaviour) may cause variation in acceptance and intake of supplements across a cattle mob and across time. To estimate the actual rate of supplement lick intake, the following can be used:

Rate of intake (g/head/day) = Weight of supplement dispensed (kg) x 1000 (Days for cattle to eat supplement) x (No. cattle grazing in area)

#10 The required intake of supplementary phosphorus (P) depends upon the quality of seasonal feed and nutritional needs of individual cattle. As an example on acutely deficient country, a 400 kg breeder cow with a 3-month calf at foot may require at least 7 g of P-supplement per day.

#11 The required intake of crude protein depends upon the quality of seasonal feed and nutritional needs of individual cattle. As an example, a 400 kg breeder cow with a 3-month calf at foot may require an extra 400 g of protein per day in order to maintain body weight on low quality feed. Gradual introduction of up to 100 g of urea supplement per day (~ 290 g of crude protein equivalent per day) under these conditions can limit the breeder cows weight loss.

#12 Depending upon the reason(s) for supplementation, both the cents/ g P and cents/ g CPE may be important for assessing the cost-effectiveness of a supplement. These costs are calculated according to the following: cents/ g P = Cost of product ($) x 100 Weight of product (kg) x 1000 x %P in product cents/ g CPE= Cost of product ($) x 100 Weight of product (kg) x 1000 x %CPE in product

POSTSCRIPT:

It is interesting to note that when checking the manufacturers brochures, 80% were found to give slightly different information from the labels on the supplement products.

The label on the product is the most up to date.

Dates for the Diary

MAY 2004 JUNE 2004 3 Bangtail Muster Alice Springs Cup Day 11 - 14 Finke Desert Race 11 - 12 Indigenous Mining Enterprise Task Force 17 - 20 Brunette Downs Races Quarterly meeting, Borroloola 22 24 Nutrition Edge Workshop (Tennant Creek) 22 Women in Business, 7pm Alice Springs Convention Centre - Guest Speaker JULY 2004 Belinda Green 5 - 8 Australian Rangeland Society Conference

Page 10 Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

SURVIVAL AND PRODUCTION IN head and increased numbers of stock (surviving, growing and reproducing). Thus the impact of ARID AREAS Part 2 supplementation on long-term pasture utilisation and herd productivity needs to be reviewed with Dr Keith Locke, Sadadeen Veterinary Clinic, adjustments for sustainable stocking rates. Alice Springs

This is the second of three articles by Dr. Keith References: Locke that provide some insights into broad issues faced by the pastoral industry in arid areas of Central McCosker, T. and Winks, L. 1994, Phosphorus Australia. Nutrition of Beef Cattle in Northern Australia, QDPI and MRC: Brisbane, Queensland.

Phosphorus Nutrition in Arid Areas Hill, K. 2003, The Effectiveness of Water Medication to Supplement Breeder Cattle in Spinifex In arid areas, phosphorus nutrition is deficient on Country, Producer Demonstration Site, Alice Springs certain soil-types, particularly in mulga and spinifex District, NT Department of Business, Industry and areas. McCosker and Winks (1994) have shown that Resource Development and Meat and Livestock phosphorus supplementation can be cost-effective on Australia, Project: PDS 97/10, December 1998 country that is deficient in available soil phosphorus. November 2001, Final Report, January 2003. With phosphorus supplementation on areas acutely deficient in available soil phosphorus (4 6ppm), production improved dramatically; branding percentages improved and deaths decreased. Areas with marginal levels of available soil phosphorus (7ppm) were slower to respond to phosphorus supplementation; only after 2 3 years was there a positive cost : benefit for productivity. Any area with available soil phosphorus above 8ppm is classified as CHEMCERT acceptable. COURSE Deficiencies of energy, protein or phosphorus can be additive and accentuate problems if not addressed. Reaccreditation In addition, when supplementing livestock with urea in mulga country, sulphur should be added. Sulphur is an essential element for microbial protein synthesis. If you need to renew your accreditation please Non-protein nitrogen by itself does not supply register by contacting DBIRD reception on: sulphur, however it is included in many block and water medication formulations (Hill 2003). 8951 8111 The 2-day ChemCert course is delivered on a needs basis and can be run on-property. Once numbers are known the course can be delivered in close proximity to most properties.

Course cost is $240.00 and the certificate is valid for 5 years

Stocking Rates Is your accreditation still valid?

By knowing the seasonal carrying capacity of the country, one can calculate optimal stocking rates for good and poor seasons. Use of supplements may automatically increase productivity (cattle growth and turn-off) plus increase the rate of pasture utilisation. This arises through an increased consumption per

Page 11 Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

Pasture Growth Modelling Great Results from the Grazing for Profit School Alison Kennedy, Pastoral Production Officer, Alice Springs Ian McLean, FarmBis NT You might have heard of the pasture growth model GRASP, developed by the Queensland Department After a hectic, brain busting 8 days the 23 course of Primary Industry. GRASP has good ability to participants have returned home to reflect on the predict pasture growth when the model is calibrated Grazing For Profit School. All that attended were with locally specific data. The ability to predict unanimous in saying that the course was of pasture growth provides another source of immense value to them personally, and to their information for pastoralists making grazing business. management decisions. The school covered all aspects of management The Pastoral Production Branch will be calibrating (People, Money, Land & Livestock) and brought GRASP for Northern Territory pasture types over the them together in a way that they can be managed next two years. To do this we will be using a together instead of individually. The school was methodology called Swiftsynd. Swiftsynd sites are based around a number of fundamental principals, approximately 30m x 30m and are fenced to one of the main ones being that if a pastoral exclude all grazing animals so that pasture growth operation is to be sustainable and profitable in the can be accurately assessed. Data is collected on long term then it must also nurture and improve the pasture growth processes including soil moisture ecology and bio-diversity of the operation. balance, nutrient uptake, plant growth and pasture dry matter flow. (Pasture dry matter flow describes The school built on this by making participants the amount of plant material lost through death, identify and evaluate their personal goals as well as detachment and decomposition.) those of their business. Participants now have the skills and foundation to plan for their future and the Currently we are determining which land types future of their business. require calibration. Some pasture types may be calibrated from existing studies. The first priorities are for pasture types that have high productivity and/or cover large areas. All-weather accessibility is also an important consideration as it will be necessary to do soil water measurements when the soil is saturated. We are planning on having sites spread out across the region, for example, at least two sites to the north-east, north-west, south-east and south-west areas. Are you interested in being Some of the school participants hard at work involved with this project? The group also critically evaluated the way that they Over the next few weeks we will be asking people to currently view the way things are done and as a participate in this work. We will be constructing a result will be more open to new practises. Swiftsynd Site on Owen Springs (Old Man Plains Research Station) at the end of April however to get Having a plan for the future, an open mind and the a good range of regional pasture types we are management tools from the school will equip the hoping to do some work on properties as well. participants for a more profitable future. Please contact Alison Kennedy on (08) 8951 8184 Producers who attended this school considered it if you have any questions or would like to be extremely valuable to their operation. Another school involved. will be organised as soon as numbers permit, more information is available from Ian McLean, (08) 8951 8537, [email protected]

Page 12 Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

· A primary producer supported by Landmark; · A primary producer to study a new and emerging industry supported by Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation; · A wool producer supported by Australian Wool Innovation; The Australian Nuffield · A livestock producer supported by Meat and Farming Scholarships Livestock Australia; th · A fruit or vegetable grower supported by Applications Closing 25 June Horticulture Australia; 2004 · A primary producer in the Northern Territory, supported by the Northern Territory The Australian Nuffield Farming Scholars Government Department of Business Industry Association awards scholarships each year to and Resource Development; farmers in Australia. The objective is to increase practical farming knowledge and management · A primary producer in Western Australia skills and techniques generally. supported by CSBP, CBH and Grain Pool; · A primary producer in South Australia These scholarships give Australian citizens the supported by Nufarm and Hi-Fert; opportunity to study farming practices in Europe, Asia and North America and those countries best · A primary producer to study natural resource suited to the Scholar. They will also promote a management supported by Landcare Australia closer understanding between farmers in the Limited; countries visited. Note Upon returning to Australia it is expected that · The provision of all scholarships is subject to Scholars will be able to actively spread the the suitability of applicants and confirmation of knowledge and understanding they have gained sponsorship arrangements. among their fellow farmers and others. · Additional scholarships may be offered, subject to funding becoming available. Nuffield Farming Scholarships give a unique opportunity to stand back from your day-to-day For further information please contact Bryan Clark on occupation, and to study a subject of interest to (02) 6964 6600 or email [email protected] you. Applications close Friday 25 June 2004. Application You do not need academic qualifications, but you forms may be downloaded from the nuffield website: will need to persuade the Selectors that you have www.nuffield.com.au the qualities to make the best use of an opportunity that is only given to a few.

Australian Nuffield Farming Scholarships available in 2004 include:

· A grain grower in northern New South Wales or Queensland, supported by GRDC; · A grain grower in southern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia or Tasmania, supported by GRDC; · A grain grower in Western Australia, supported by GRDC; · A primary producer supported by Rabobank;

Page 13 Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

DBIRD Primary Industries News DBIRD Updates

We welcome another two members of staff to AZRI. Peter Saville is the new District Veterinary Officer Notes from the Regional Director and has joined us from Fiji. Peter has for the last 24 years been working throughout the South Pacific Recent visitors to Alice Springs will have noted lots region as an Animal Health Advisor and Veterinary of construction activity along the road in front of the Officer. Arid Zone Research Institute. Firstly heaps of purple pipes turned up and were laid in trenches. Tony Freshwater has joined us as the Indigenous Currently a temporary passing lane is being Pastoral Production Officer and has started working developed. with some of the local indigenous pastoral properties. Tony was working as the Manager of The passing lane signals development of the Desert Annaburroo Station near Point Stuart. Knowledge Precinct. A Desert Peoples Centre Congratulations Tony on your recent engagement to comprising education facilities for Bachelor College Rebecca. and the Centre of Appropriate Technology is due to For anyone who has called into AZRI of late they open on the site early in 2006. As previously noted, would have noticed a hive of activity and a lot of the departments pastoral research is now centred noise to boot. In preparation for the move of the on the new pastoral research area on Owen Minerals and Energy Group to AZRI there is some Springs. This is currently being upgraded with major office re-vamps being undertaken. Walls are internal fencing and waters to suit the planned being knocked down and a new coat of paint applied research. to the remaining ones. This has caused some office shuffling and pastoral has not been immune to it Nationally pipes are coloured purple to indicate that either. With some of us questioning whether we they carry non-potable water, in this case recycled should actually be removalists instead.... water from the Ilparpa settling ponds. Power and Water Corporation have a Dissolved Air Flotation treatment plant at the design stage. This treatment will ensure that the recycled water is clear.

Research has been underway for some time on testing options for underground storage of the recycled water. Such storage systems are widely used on a global basis, with the advantages of being cost effective, excellent in removing microbes and preventing evaporation. The results of this research to date are very promising. In summary, the goal of creating a sustainable horticultural industry from the currently evaporated waste water is getting closer. This is despite disappointments of the early 1990s. Doug Wilson on the move! Watch this space.

Regards Phil Anning

Bryan Gill & Coral Allan moving office

Page 14 Alice Springs Rural Review - March - April 2004

Monthly Review of Temperature Monthly Review of Temperature and Rainfall for February 2004 and Rainfall for March 2004

Temperature Temperature

Mean monthly maximum temperatures were 2oC - 3oC Mean monthly maximum temperatures were 1oC - 2oC below average in the Barkly district except in its above average over the south-eastern portion of the Northwestern parts where they were 3oC - 4oC below Barkly district and within 1oC of average elsewhere. average. Mean monthly maximum temperatures in the Such temperatures in the Alice Springs district ranged Alice Springs district ranged from 2oC - 3oC below from near average in western areas through to 2oC - average in northern parts through to 1oC - 2oC above 3oC above average in its eastern parts. The highest average in central southern areas. The highest mean mean monthly maximum temperature was 36.7oC at monthly maximum temperature was 37.2oC at Curtin Jervois and the lowest, 32.2oC at Kulgera. The hottest Springs and the lowest, 32.9oC at Tennant Creek. The day reached 41.0oC at Jervois, on the 8th, and the hottest day reached 43.2oC at Kulgera, on the 18th, coolest day reached 22.0oC at Curtain Springs, on the and the coolest day reached 20.5oC also at Kulgera, 29th. on the 23rd. Mean monthly minimum temperatures were 1oC - 2oC Mean monthly minimum temperatures were within 1oC above average over the south-western portions of the of average throughout the Barkly district. The Alice Barkly district and near average elsewhere. Much of Springs district experienced near normal mean minimum the Alice Springs district experienced above average temperatures in its northern parts ranging through to mean monthly minimum temperatures ranging from near 3oC - 4oC above average in southern border areas. The average around southern and western border regions lowest mean monthly minimum temperature was 22.4oC through to 3oC - 4oC above average a little westward of at Yuendumu and the highest 24.1oC at Brunette Downs the eastern border. The lowest mean monthly minimum and Jervois. The coolest night was 13.5oC at Kulgera temperature was 18.1oC at Kulgera and the highest, on the 4th. The warmest night was 30.9oC at Curtin 24.6oC at Tennant Creek Airport. The coolest night was Springs on the 14th. 10.0oC at Kulgera on the 23rd. The warmest night was 29oC at Jervois on the 17th.

Rainfall Rainfall

Rainfall in the Barkly district was above average Much of the Barkly district received near average rainfall (112.2mm) throughout except in its northwestern parts (74.7mm) with the exception being portions to the where it was very much above average. northeast and southeast where below average falls were received. The greater part of the Alice Springs district recorded above average rainfall, the exceptions being a number The greater part of the Alice Springs district recorded of scattered patches where rainfall was around average near average rainfall (48.6mm), the exceptions being (45.7mm) and an area to the northwest where it was an area in central eastern regions where below, to very very much above average. Rabbit Flat reported the below, average rainfall was reported, and a couple of highest number of rain days at twenty. Elliott reported patches near central northern and southern border the highest total monthly rainfall of 333.4mm and also regions where above average falls were received. Rabbit the highest daily rainfall of 120.0 mm, on the 13th. Flat reported the highest number of rain days at twelve. Tennant Creek Airport reported the highest total monthly rainfall of 87.8mm and also the highest daily rainfall of 68.2 mm, on the 30th.

WEATHER DETAILS PROVIDED COURTESY OF THE BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY, DARWIN. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS BASED ON SOME UNCONFIRMED DATA

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