Tom Dawkins

A real treat for this Adelaide Plains boy to see some of our NT buffalo in very good hands at the River Light Goat Depot today. The feedlot’s latest consignment has settled well over the weekend and will supply the growing domestic market for buffalo meat in the coming weeks.

The Devon Express looked a treat at East Arm in late June, collecting northern feeder cattle for Indonesia. A regular visitor to Darwin and a quiet workhorse of the live trade. The first time I photographed the Devon was in March 2016 at Portland (Vic) loading breeders for China.

The NTLEA has been assisting US aerial photographer George Steinmetz on visits to NT cattle properties in recent weeks, capturing spectacular shots like this: Victoria River Downs head stockman Ben Hall in a yard full of cattle. Follow George’s work here: instagram.com/geosteinmetz/

At this week's Top End Regional Economic Growth Committee meeting, mapping out further development of livestock programs to support: Skills, jobs & economic development Food accessibility & community wellbeing Biosecurity & environmental sustainability cmc.nt.gov.au/strengthening-…

Very grateful to talk with Mantiyupwi leaders at Wurrumiyanga today about how Tiwi buffalo can be a much needed source of fresh, affordable food for the local community. In the meantime, the Rum Jungle buffalo burgers I delivered courtesy of Central Agri were certainly a big hit.

Positive results from our pilot handling such a formidable animal in remote environments with limited livestock infrastructure. A huge innovation challenge, but the biosecurity, animal welfare and human safety imperatives are compelling. @AgriFuturesAU abc.net.au/radio/programs…

“To see how Indonesia can manage ongoing disease threats, we can look to our customers in Vietnam who have shown the way to manage outbreak risks as they arise, protecting the wellbeing of their animals and continuing to supply fresh beef to the market.” beefcentral.com/live-export/li…

Thanks to Chief Officer Ante Katalinić and his colleagues for hosting Indonesian Consul Gulfan Afero on board Wellard's MV Ocean Swagman last week. After a two year hiatus, the resumption of ship tours and in-country meetings is most timely.

"It is a very compelling industry because we have the market imperatives of export revenue and food security. But we're doing that in a way that provides employment and economic activity for traditional owners and represents sustainable land management." abc.net.au/news/2022-05-2…

Australia is assisting Indonesia's efforts to combat FMD. We are also reinforcing our strong national biosecurity defences, including checks on international travellers. We're determined to keep Australia safe from the threat of exotic livestock diseases. @DeptAgNews @NTCattlemen

"The NTLEA’s Berrimah Export Yards showcases the best in innovation in northern Australia’s cattle industry. Keeping cattle under cover, cool and in the best possible care helps us deliver healthy animals and healthy beef."

Exactly 10 years since my yarn with Tony Hayne was published. Two days after the ban was lifted, but still a month before Indonesia shipments resumed. Recovery, rebuild and restitution for the industry (and its workforce) remains ongoing to this day. farmonline.com.au/story/3622947/…

Indonesia is experiencing a COVID-19 nightmare, so it is absolutely vital we uphold continued, reliable supply of NT cattle for export to our northern neighbour.

Thanks to ABC's Miriam Corowa for asking @NTLEA about red-hot cattle prices and difficult conditions for export supply chain businesses. A decade since 2011's live trade suspension, we are again seeing the extraordinary resilience of our relationships with our SE Asia customers.

Naysayers can rug-up or pack-up. Winter in the South East is bloody magic.