barklybarkly beefbeef Published by the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries in Tennant Creek. ISSN 1325-9539 VOLUME 7 ISSUE 3 JUNE 2001 A range of topics covered by the course is delivered by a selection of both the Department DPIF Course of Primary Industry and Fisheries (Tennant Creek) and the Department of Lands Planning Honoured at and Environment presenters. These topics include, plant identification principles and pasture dynamics, pasture monitoring, weed and Landcare poisonous plant management, and beef cattle nutritional requirements and associated supplementation strategies. All information is Awards based on local research and experience. The evening of Saturday the 15th September Congratulations to Helen Springs Station, 2001 saw the Northern Territory Landcare Stanbroke Pastoral Company for also receiving a Australia Awards being held at the Alice Springs Merit Award for Fire Management. Golf Club. A good cross-section of people from across the Territory attended and witnessed the For more information regarding the Barkly presentation of a Merit Award in the Education Rangeland Management Course please contact: Category to the Tennant Creek Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries for the Barkly Chris Materne Rangeland Management Course. Jono Peart Regional Rangeland Management Officer proudly received the award on behalf of the DPIF - Tennant Creek course presenters. Ph 08 8962 4492 Fax 08 8962 4480 The Barkly Rangeland Management Course was E-mail [email protected] initially developed in 1999 through National Heritage Trust (NHT) funding and is designed for employees of the pastoral industry in the Barkly region. The course aims to increase the participants’ knowledge and understanding of the natural resources in their care, and to stimulate their interest in pasture monitoring when making land management decisions. Hon. Peter Toyne, Bryan Walsh & Jono Peart Fires in the district have been as bad as we hoped they wouldn’t be, at least in some areas and there A is a smoke haze all the way from Alice Springs to word Darwin. Some of the fires in the red country have from the been extremely intense, destroying everything in Director their path and there was a tragic incident at Kurundi when one of their employees was caught in a fire. On a happier note congratulations go to Helen Springs Station for receiving a Merit Certificate at the recent Landcare Awards for their work on fire management. DPIF was also pleased to receive a Merit Certificate for our Barkly Rangeland Management Course. I recently met with the Hon Dr Peter Toyne MLA, the new Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, who is interested to see the work of DPIF in the region continue. There is the added advantage that he also holds the portfolio for Regional Development and is keen to progress development in our region. I have been involved in some work going on in the background looking at the possibilities of establishing large scale horticultural ventures in the Barkly Region, similar to that at Ti Tree. The region has suitable soils and water and Department of Lands Planning and Environment are continuing to investigate these. Possible crops are being investigated, however they will need to fill a niche in the markets in order to be viable eg mature earlier than other areas. Agencies such as the Power & Water Authority and Transport & Works are also involved to provide advice on necessary infrastructure. Applications for the 2002 Rural Women’s Award close on October 15th so if you know a worthy recipient encourage her to apply or do so on her behalf. Jenny Purdie Regional Director Also in this issue…. DPIF - Tennant Creek Page Ph 08 8962 4485 Fax 08 8962 4480 3 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award 2002 E-mail [email protected] Macca’s Corner 4 Northern Australia Beef Industry Conference 5 Accommodation Options – Beef Industry Conference 6 Living with “1080” 7 Work Experience at the DPIF in Katherine & Tennant Creek 10 Barkly Landcare & Conservation Association Project on Track John O’Kane with Roy Chisholm after receiving a Merit Award for Fire Management barkly beef September 2001 2 RIRDC RURAL WOMEN’S AWARD 2002 Promoting Women in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation’s (RIRDC) Rural Women’s Award 2002 is now open for applications. The award supports women with a strong positive vision for the future of rural Australia and is open to all women involved in agriculture, including forestry & fisheries, natural resource management and related service industries. The award comes with a $20,000 bursary for the Northern Territory winner, to assist her fulfill her personal vision for agriculture, through efforts that build leadership, business and management skills, so that she has the capacity to play a greater role in the future of rural Australia. Previous winners have used their bursaries for Macca’s Corner! activities such as an overseas trip to investigate the potential for new or value added markets, to establish quality assurance and formal training programs for their industry and to diversify, value add and better utilize the byproducts of their industry. The NT winner, and up to two finalists, will participate in a three-day National Leadership Seminar, an intensive leadership and training skills development program. Application forms are available from the Tennant Creek Office of the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries or can be downloaded from the Internet at www.ruralwomensaward.gov.au. Rural women may nominate themselves, or alternatively, if any of you know of a deserving rural woman you may nominate her. Remember that this award is for a forward vision, not a past performance. Applications close on 15th October 2001. barkly beef September 2001 3 DEPARTMENT OF NORTHERN AUSTRALIA BEEF INDUSTRY CONFERENCE 8-9 November 2001 - Kununurra WA The Northern Australia Beef Industry Conference (NABIC) promises to cap another year of exceptional industry performance. The conference will bring together delegates from the production, R&D, extension and training sectors of the industry. Speakers at the Conference will include: Producers and Land Managers: Tom Stockwell – NABRC, Steve Petty – Heytesbury, Jim and Noleen Metyard – Pentland, Hugh Barnet – Balmoral Stations, Ashley and Margaret House – Aramac, Carey Paterson – Pilbara Livestock Depot, Bev Pedracini – Collinsville Researchers and Extension Officers: Mick Quirk – grazing land management, Peter Ridley – beef marketing descriptors, Rodd Dyer – sustainable grazing, Hugh Pringle – sustainable grazing practices, Felicity Hill – Live Export Link, John Taylor – Rangelands Australia, Alaric Fisher – monitoring biodiversity, Bob Nickels – supply chains, David Inall – Livecorp The conference will: • Promote the Northern Australia beef and live cattle industries. • Link land management to improved production and market benefits. • Provide a forum for the latest research and extension information on the Northern Australia beef and live cattle industries • Examine the forces that are, and will shape the direction of the beef industry and rangeland use in Northern Australia. If you are interested in the future prosperity of the northern Australian beef and live export industries plan to be in Kununurra for the 8-9 November 2001. Further Information: Kaz Price – WA Dept of Agriculture, Derby – (08) 9191 0326. **Please note a further accommodation option (missed from the brochure) – Rooms from $85 at Lakeside Resort – (08) 9169 1092 (about 3 km from conference venue) or book through the Kununurra Tourist Bureau on (08) 9168 1177 barkly beef September 2001 4 barkly beef September 2001 5 Accommodation Options Cost:Cost:Cost: Country Club Hotel $120.00 per person, includes Coolibah Drv (next door to Conference venue) forum registration, two lunches, Ph 08 9168 1024 Cost from $160 dinner, and morning and Mercure Inn afternoon teas. Victoria Hwy (1km to Conference venue) Early Bird Registration: Ph 08 9168 1455 Cost from $160 To help us with organising we Lakeview Apartments are offering an “early bird” Victoria Hwy (1km to Conference venue) registration incentive. Book by Ph 08 9168 0000 Cost from $150 12th October at $90.00 per Hotel Kununurra person, and go into the draw for Messmate Way (100 metres to Conference venue) one of three bottles of Ph 08 9168 1344 Cost from $40 Kununurra’s own rum - Duncan House B&B “Canefire”. Coolibah Drv (300 metres to Conference venue) Further Information: Ph 08 9168 2436 Cost from $105 Please telephone Kaz Price at Ivanhoe Tourist Village the (400 metres - venue) WA Department of Agriculture Ph 08 9169 1995 Cabins from $65 District Office, Derby on Kimberley Holiday Park (08) 9191 0326 or (1 km to venue) Email: Ph 08 9168 1280 Cabins from $95 [email protected] Town Caravan Park Forum Registration (200 metres to venue) Ph 08 9168 1763 Villas from $105 Enclosed is my cheque for Hidden Valley Caravan Park $………………… (1 km to venue) Payable to: WA Department of Agriculture Ph 08 9168 1790 Park homes $93.50 $90.00 / person until Friday 12th Oct Kona Lakeside Tourist Park th (2 kms to venue) $120.00 / person on or after Monday 15 Ph 08 9168 1031 Cabins from $55 Oct For more information on accommodation Optional Wyndham/Lake Argyle tour :- and services phone:- $50 (includes lunch and smokos) Kununurra Tourist Bureau Please post to: on 08 9168 1177 WA Dept of Agriculture Attn: Rita Randell Conference Details PO Box 350 BROOME WA 6725 Date: Date:Date: Details of Delegate(s):