Angus Adnam has reported on the highly successful Livecorp ALEC Annual General meetings held in Darwin on November 25 and November 26. The program MC Don Heatley included a welcome address by Livecorp Chairman David Galvin and a series of speakers including Michael Finucan General Manager International Markets, Beijing, who spoke about how the levies were being invested in the live export programme. Additional speakers included an ESCAS panel discussion with Wayne Collier, Livecorp LEP Industry Capability Manager and Patrick Underwood, Darwin based NACC General Manager.
A talk on the future of palm plantations and small holding cattle operations in Asia delivered by Dr
Ross Ainsworth, Jakarta, was of immense interest to top end cattle breeders, exporters and international guests. The next day had a fascinating line up of guest speakers including Ian Mars ex MLA Director who has now joined Minerva Foods in Brazil as COO of their vast Brazilian processing meat operation. Dr Bernard Vallat, Director General of the World Organisation of Animal Health 1997/2000 gave an interesting and relevant talk on the work carried out by OIE throughout the world.
The conference hall was packed to hear Don Heatley interview Professor Temple Grandin who is internationally respected for her work on animal welfare, neurology and animal philosophy.
Professor Grandin has recently visited a range of feedlots and slaughterhouses in Indonesia and also visited properties including CPC owned Newcastle Waters. She spoke highly of the Indonesian properties she visited and she was astounded at the vastness of NT stations. The conference saw an impressive line-up of commercial sponsors who were available for industry participants to discuss a wide range of innovative products that included animal handling equipment and livestock identification systems. All of Australia’s major livestock exporters were represented and participated in a series of industry related interactions under industry bodies including Liveair, ALEC and Livecorp.
AgForce: Premier turns back on farmers
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last week turned her back on farmers battling Queensland's worst-ever drought and turned her back on her government's own consultation process according to AgForce General President Grant Maudsley. Mr Maudsley said last week's moves by the Government to return farmers to the Beattie-era lock-down of vegetation management would stifle food and fibre production and growing demand for high-quality protein.
"Annastacia Palaszczuk has shown she is no Friend of Ag," Mr Maudsley said.
"Ms Palaszczuk promised to work with farmers when she first became Premier, but has since failed to deliver any certainty and stability, and failed to ensure the promised consultation.
"This Government announced in Parliament on September 16 that they would convene a round table, including AgForce and green groups to discuss vegetation. The green groups refused to attend, and today the Premier has bowed to their pressure.”
"The Palaszczuk government went as far as appointing a mediator. Given the government's announcement, there won't be much to talk about when the mediator next meets AgForce on Friday.”
"With a record drought across 86 per cent of Queensland, now's the time for the Government to be supporting farmers, not making wild policy changes and deserting farmers."
Government research shows that more than 97 per cent of farmers are managing their land responsibly and lawfully. This is despite tighter restriction than many other industries, such as property development and resource development.
"To blame farmers for carbon omissions on management of less than 0.2 per cent of Queensland is insulting and shows the Premier isn't focussed on carbon reduction," Mr Maudsley said.
"This is a knee-jerk action when we need stability and proper data to make a correct decision.
"If a producer is doing the wrong thing we support tough laws to prosecute," Mr Maudsley said. "In September, green groups accused a landholder near Augathella of clearing his land illegally. It was investigated by the government and shown to be a false claim."
“A recent AgForce report shows that vegetation management is occurring responsibly across Queensland.”
Gracemere Cows & Calves to $2000 per unit
Julian Laver, Landmark reported a yarding of 2300 cattle were presented at Gracemere last Friday, comprising of 1120 steers,748 heifers,266 cows, 89 cows and calves and 77 bulls. Despite the quality being mixed most cattle sold to rates similar to last week, the exception being most female lines selling between 15-25c/kg dearer. Mickey bulls also sold well reaching 311c/kg up 30 cents. Cows and calves were well sort after with them topping at $2000/unit and averaging $1350/unit.
Ian Michelmore & Family, Fort Cooper, Nebo, sold two pens of Santa cross cows and calves for $2000/unit.
Gracemere has only two sales left for 2015 with the last one on the 11 December and weather permitting will start again on January 15, 2016.
AuctionsPlus
Greg Hardgrave from Countryco in Blackwater reported a very strong sale on AuctionsPlus on Friday. Queensland Agricultural Training College at Berrigurra, Blackwater sold 49 cross (10yrs old on average) Belmont Composite cows with calves (two-five months) for $1650 on farm. Greg said, “The influx of cattle from the very dry Longreach Training College has forced the Blackwater operational arm to unload extra numbers.”
Sarina Store Sale
Peter Hayes reported on the Hayes & Co , Sarina Store Cattle Sale Saturday 28 th of November .A light Yarding of local cattle sold to very a much dearer market for all descriptions . Some of the highlights of the sale were Jeff Ward of Glenwood sold Droughtmaster steers 24 months for $980. Mary Brazier of Blue Mountain sold Brahman steers 15 months for $810 with Droughtmaster steers 15 months making $780. John and Sue Wyper of Sarina Range sold Charbray steers eight months for $770. R & B Chelman, Dalrymple Heights sold Droughtmaster steers 12 months for $740. Brian Harding, Proserpine, sold Droughtmaster steers six months for $620 .
Donny and Tammy Summerville, Nebo sold Brangus steers 10 months for $700 with a pen of Hereford steers, 12 months for $525. In the heifers section Zac Goodman of Sarina Range sold a Charbray heifer 15 mons for $870. Jeff Ward sold Droughtmaster Heifers 15 months and milk and two tooth for $805. Mary Brazier sold Droughtmaster cross heifers 12 months for $620. Brian Harding sold Droughtmaster heifers six months for $600. Donny & Tammy Summerfield sold Brangus heifers six months for $580. R & B Chelman sold Droughtmaster cross heifers six months for $535 . Ian Waldon of Pinevale sold Brahman heifers four months for $400. Gordon Probst, Camila sold a Droughtmaster heifer six months for $500 . Jeff Ward sold Droughtmaster Cows for $ 950. Dumma Family, Nebo sold Brahman cows with baby calves for $710.
The Final Sarina Store Cattle Sale for 2015 is on Saturday December 12 at 11am
