THE next few months should prove busy for Brendan Lewis, who manages the Berrimah export holding yards in Darwin.
Mr Lewis was all smiles last Friday after news that the Indonesian government had formally released permits for the import of 250,000 head of feeder cattle.
Cattle are expected to be shipped from Darwin, Townsville, Wyndham, Broome and Perth to fill the orders.
News of the latest permits was also warmly welcomed by many northern producers attending the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association (NTCA) conference in Darwin over the weekend.
The Berrimah facility is one of three export yards in Darwin and is capable of handling 6000 head at a time.
"The cattle arrive here straight off the properties and are usually processed for export over a four-day period," Mr Lewis said.
"The Indonesian quarantine requirement is 24 hours, but we hold them a little longer for them to get used to the feeding ration.
"The cattle are fed the same diet as what they receive on the boat, which is a lucerne pellet and hay."
"All the cattle are checked and back-lined, and we make sure any that any sick, lame or diseased are removed from the mob."
Helen Walker
Journalist for Queensland Country Life at Rockhampton.
Journalist for Queensland Country Life at Rockhampton.
