katherine Times Wed 01 May 2013
Katherine Times; NewspaperNT
2013-05-01
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English
Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Katherine; Katherine (N.T.) -- Newspapers
North Australian News for Katherine Times
Katherine
v. 31 issue 16
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North Australian News for Katherine Times
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/263181
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/471453
10 KATHERINE TIMES, WEDNESDAY MAY 1 2013 www.katherinetimes.com.au Bull sale season in full swing this month Live exports half the value of 2011 AUSTRALIAN live cattle exports are half the value they were 22 months ago and live sheep exports are about a quarter of the value they were 17 months ago. And its all because of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) and Indonesia's decision to cut its import quota according to Meat and Livestock Australia's (MLA) chief economist Tim McRae. Based on MLA's latest figures in May 2011 - just prior to ABC's Four Corners program 'A Bloody Business' - exports for the month were about 110,000 head of cattle with a trade value of more than $100 million. But in the latest figures for February this year, live cattle exports were about 40,000 head with a value of under $60m. Since the decision to halt the trade, the live cattle and the live sheep export industry have gone through dramatic changes with the introduction of ESCAS and the cutting of the live cattle import quota in the last two years. Another interesting figure was that between July 2011 to February 2012: 253,028 cattle were exported live to Indonesia, but during the same period in 2012 to 2013, Australia had exported just 35,234 head of cattle. This equates to an 86 per cent drop. During that same period, live cattle exports overall were down 14 per cent, from 445,436 to 382,214 head of cattle. In February last year, 32,407 head of cattle left for Indonesia, but February this year saw just 10,843 cattle leave. And with the 2013 import quota now at just 238,000 for live cattle, WA and the Northern Territory producers will be fighting for the limited quota space. The lack of import permits are being blamed for pushing prices down. Steers were reportedly getting about $1.60 a kilogram, down from $1.90 a kilogram this time last year. Pastoralists in the north of WA are competing among themselves and pushing the live cattle export price down to try and get rid of their cattle to Indonesia. Import permits issued by In donesia were just 60,000 in the first quarter of the year and 120,000 for the second quarter but it is unknown how many cattle have already gone. Elders livestock agent Kelvin Hancey said Indonesia was only chasing high grade Brahman cattle which was making it tough for the Droughtmaster breeders. "The pricing structure is on an easing trend and that looks set to continue," Mr Hancey said. "I don't see anything that is going to turn it around in the meantime unless we run out of cattle and even if we run out here, we keep hearing that the Northern Territory and Queensland have plenty." But due to the Indonesian inflation and the prospect of petrol price rises the Indonesian Trade Ministry is pulling forward the countrys third- and fourth-quarter live cattle and beef quotas and will issue new quotas for the December quarter. This is set to boost Indonesian cattle and beef imports by 60 per cent or more. >> rural GENERAL & SPECIALISED WELDING WELDING ACCESSORIES STRUCTURAL FABRICATION FLASHINGS BUILDING & REINFORCING PRODUCTS MACHINING HOHN'S Sheet Metaland 32 Crawford Street KATHERINE Ph: 08 8972 2633 Fax: 08 8972 3454 email: hohnsheetmetal@bigpond.com No ve na 01 22 3 .. craig@hohnssheetmetaland.com.au Meeting all your Metal and Machining needs GENERAL & SPECIALISED WELDING WELDING ACCESSORIES STRUCTURAL FABRICATION FLASHINGS BUILDING & REINFORCING PRODUCTS MACHINING HYDRAULIC FITTINGS, HOSES, COMPONENTS AND CONTROL SYSTEMS RAM SEALS agnova.com.au Flute is a registered trademark of Nippon Soda Co., Ltd Powdery Mildew Control sounds sweeter with Flute FUNGICIDE 50 EW Activity at fi ve stages of the disease life-cycle Water-based formulation for unmatched crop safety Unique Mode of Action Group U6 Controls resistant strains 1 day withholding period (cucurbits) ON FRIDAY, May 17, the third annual Coodardie Brahmans Sale will be held in Mataranka. Local Katherine Stock agent, Scott Riggs of Territory Rural will be conducting the sale. Bulls and females available are grass fed, quality bred. Full fertility assessments will be included in the sale catalogue. All cattle are constantly being assessed for the key profit drivers of fertility, functionality and meat qualities. And the Herrod family whom are the vendors of Ponderosa Brahmans will be holding their 14th annual bull sale on May 24. The sale also includes three Queensland stud Raglan Brahman Stud, Olive Brahmans and Viva Brahmans. The sale will consist of 170 quality red and grey Brahman bulls. Paul Herrod said he is hoping rural graziers will be there to support the local Brahman stud even though the past 12 months have been probably one of the hardest periods people have had to face on the land. With the lowest of low cattle prices, the large bushfires and the insufficient rainfall over the wet, some graziers may find it hard to purchase bulls for their females this year, Mr Herrod said.