Through personal experience after working in the Northern Territory it is clear to me that it has been rapidly developed in recent years but there is still a long way to go.
The commencement of live trade has propped producers back on their feet.
Along with recent favourable cattle prices, there has been more capital to put back into stations for development.
There has also been major development from the processor’s side since the opening of the first two abattoirs in the area in 21 years.
This has let producers receive a higher price for their cattle as there is more competition in the industry.
There have been major developments with bores and watering points also with fencing.
Beetaloo Station on the Barkly Tablelands is a classic example of this.
This has allowed stations to increase not only cattle numbers but weight gains from water quality.
The implementation of these watering points has allowed better management practices as well.
A factor with foreign investment and ownership that is misunderstood is that all the stations in the Northern Territory are lease hold apart from National Parks and Indigenous land.
Another factors that has contributed to the fast development is foreign investment.
In my opinion, this is a good thing for the industry as there is more capital going into stations which creates more jobs for local employees.
A factor with foreign investment and ownership that is misunderstood is that all the stations in the Northern Territory are lease hold apart from National Parks and Indigenous land.
Northern producers have been faced with dry season in the past two years.
This has been a setback to development as carrying capacities have decreased dramatically.
Which means fodder and supplement costs have increased to carry stock through the dry times.