Budget Paper No.6 1997/98 Northern Territory Economy
Tabled Paper 3223
Tabled Papers for 7th Assembly 1994 - 1997; Tabled papers; ParliamentNT
1997-04-30
Made available by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory under Standing Order 240. Where copyright subsists with a third party it remains with the original owner and permission may be required to reuse the material.
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https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/289257
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/404114
Pastoral Outlook The outlook for the pastoral industry, which is well established relative to other land based rural industries in the Territory, is promising. The live cattle export trade to South East Asia is expected to be the driving force behind the growth in the pastoral industry. The increasing demand and growth in live cattle trade to South East Asia are due largely to rising disposable incomes, growing demand for animal protein, declining national herds and a decreasing availability of land for pastoral purposes in the ASEAN region. In short, the demand for beef has been growing faster than domestic supply in those countries and hence continued growth in imports of live cattle is anticipated. The growth in live cattle exports is expected to remain stronger than exports of fresh, frozen or chilled beef. One in four specialist beef properties across northern Australia is now engaged in the live cattle export trade and the ratio is expected to increase. The expansion of the live export trade is increasing farm incomes for beef producers in northern Australia. Territory pastoral properties north of Tennant Creek have been rebuilding herds with more appropriate types of cattle (Brahman and Brahman cross) and thus improving the genetic make up of the Territorys cattle herd. Genetic improvements together with improved husbandry methods including supplementary feeding and improved rangeland grazing management are contributing to increasing productivity levels evident in the pastoral industry. In the beef trade, the increasing demand for meat in East and South East Asia is expected to provide an impetus for the expansion of world beef trade. Australia and the Northern Territory beef industries are expected to benefit from this growth but will encounter greater competition from other countries, particularly the United States and possibly Argentina and Uruguay. Other Livestock Industries The Northern Territory has a number of other livestock industries contributing to Gross State Product. These industries supply eggs, poultry meat, pork, buffalo and camel meat, fresh milk, live exports (buffalo, deer, horses, camels and pigs) and crocodile skins and flesh. In 1996 the gross value of the total other livestock industries was estimated at $15 million. The increase of $1.3 million since the previous year is due to the inclusion of buffalo in other livestock and the growth in the crocodile industry. Mixed Farming Mixed farming areas around Katherine, the Douglas/Daly region and Darwin are focused on servicing the live cattle export industry. Areas cleared for grain cropping now provide the basis Rural Industries and Fisheries 58