THE collapse of the wool market’s floor price in the early 1990s had a resounding effect on northern Queensland’s sheep flock, but it was dingoes, a fall in productivity and the temptations of cattle exports which sealed the fate of production in the region.
The region’s former notable sheep stations including Dunluce, Brinard and Malboona, that survived and thrived on the sheep’s back in the past century, have closed the doors on their shearing sheds and shifted to cattle enterprises.
At its peak Dunluce Station, Hughenden, ran 35,000 sheep, but those numbers went into rapid decline in the early 2000s when the flock size fell to below 10,000.
Similarly, Australia's northern-most Merino property, Brinard Station, Julia Creek, ran a Merino and cattle operation up until 2002, producing 21-22 micron wool. Brinard Station’s Scott Harrington said northern graziers were forced to shift their focus from tradition to profit in the past two decades.
“It was a combination of drought years and low wool prices which caused the change in the industry,” Mr Harrington said. “We were isolated so we had to eventually bite the bullet at a time when cattle prices were up– it wasn’t a clear cut decision, we cut off gradually.”
Northern Queensland’s sheep industry began on the back of pioneer and grazier Patrick Leslie’s introduction of 1700 rams and 4000 ewes to the Darling Downs in 1840.
The flock peaked in 1990 when Queensland represented 16 per cent of the national sheep 173 million head flock. In the same year, the suspension of the Wool Reserve Price Scheme caused the wool indicator to fall 40pc overnight, which Mr Harrington said was the final straw for many northern sheep producers.
“Most peoples’ decisions were commercially driven and I don’t believe in my lifetime I’ll ever see sheep come back to this country,” he said.
Australia has gone through a 20-year flock contraction, which is now less than 70m. Queensland is down to 2.2m and produces only 8m kg annually.
Mr Harrington said the 1990s were a turbulent decade commencing with the wool price crash, farm losses and sheep flock liquidation, as well as a revived wild dog battle - which all coincided with the surge in live cattle exports.
Private wild dog netting fences introduced in the 1950s have since been replaced by three barbed cattle fences, the final evidence of the region’s move away from sheep breeding.
Annabelle Cleeland
Annabelle Cleeland is Fairfax Media’s national sheep and wool writer. Annabelle joined the Fairfax team in 2012 to nurture her love of Australian agriculture. She began as the Victorian western district reporter at Stock & Land before taking on a senior position as a journalist reporting on all industries statewide. Annabelle’s appetite to report on issues which affect the sheep and wool industry has seen her travel to many parts of Australia and abroad. She is excited to spin industry yarns during a period of substantial demand for the sheepmeat and wool industries. Annabelle enjoys horse riding and climbing mountains, and is a lazy supporter of the Geelong Football Club.
Annabelle Cleeland is Fairfax Media’s national sheep and wool writer. Annabelle joined the Fairfax team in 2012 to nurture her love of Australian agriculture. She began as the Victorian western district reporter at Stock & Land before taking on a senior position as a journalist reporting on all industries statewide. Annabelle’s appetite to report on issues which affect the sheep and wool industry has seen her travel to many parts of Australia and abroad. She is excited to spin industry yarns during a period of substantial demand for the sheepmeat and wool industries. Annabelle enjoys horse riding and climbing mountains, and is a lazy supporter of the Geelong Football Club.
