THE lead mob of the much published Brinkworth cattle drove headed for Hay in western NSW has reached the half way mark, and crossed the Macintyre River at Mungindi yesterday afternoon.
South Australian pastoralist, Tom Brinkworth bought the cattle in June, and is walking them to Uardry Station in the Riverina district.
Queensland Country Life’s Helen Walker caught up with boss drover Bill Little today, where he said the going in NSW was not as tough seasonal wise.
“We are very happy with the feed on the river country where we are now, and there are still patches of clover,” Mr Little said.
At the moment the lead cattle are camped 15km south of Mungindi on the Boomi River, and will down head to Moree and across to Gunnedah.
Under the NSW Pastoral Protection restrictions once all the mobs cross into that state they must be split into smaller groups of 1500 head.
Mr Little split his mob before the Macintyre crossing, and took the early lead to get a couple of days start while the balance of his mob is now under the guidance of Leon Swagger and is following over the Macintyre River.
Overall the 8000 cattle are all travelling well, with mobs now at Nindigully, while others are making good progress near St George, Surat, and Roma, with the last of the mob positioned on the Augathella side of Tambo.
“Overall we are all travelling okay and are averaging eight to 10kms each day,” Mr Little said.
“I guess one of our biggest worries is the traffic and controlling it further up the road to get motorists to slow down.”
Mr Little said he was amazed and didn’t realise how much media attention and general public interest would be generated in his latest droving operation.
“I guess it really is an epic journey and we have done it in one of the toughest years,” he said.
“And while initially there was some negative reactions at the start of the journey, everyone now realises it is a fair dinkum drove, and these cattle are in transit and not just grazing out."
Mr Little expects the lead mob will reach Uardry Station by Christmas, and then he will retrace his steps and join the other mobs coming through to ensure a safe delivery of the 18,000 cattle.
