NT Rural Review - February 2022
Note from our guest editor: Dr Muhammad Sohail Mazhar
Welcome readers of the Northern Territory (NT) Rural Review to the first issue of 2022.
This year has started with sustained uncertainty due to the evolving COVID-19 situation. We, inevitably, need to accept this uncertainty as ‘the new normal’ - at least for the time being. Despite some of these challenges, our teams have been very effective at leading a number of projects across the region - you can read more in this edition of the newsletter, including our work on research, development and extension (RDE).
My current role is to provide leadership and direction to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade’s Plant Industries Group. Plants industries in the NT are largely centred on a select number of horticultural and field crops, and forestry. Crops and geographical diversification are being investigated to open up new opportunities for plant related agribusinesses.
I am an agriculture value chain professional with academic qualification in integrative systems and more than 18 years RDE experience. This includes relationship management, strategic planning, people management, business development, grants and project management, outreach and technology transfer, and impact assessment around the areas of food security, food safety, food quality, supply chain innovations, market and consumer research, and value chain analysis.
For most of my career, I have worked in development sector for projects at the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and CABI. My work provided me exposure and experience of working (alphabetically) in Afghanistan, China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Africa, The Netherlands, UAE, UK, and USA. I have worked remotely for projects in Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, the Philippines, and Vietnam. I earned my PhD and got post-doctoral research experience at the University of Queensland, worked with Supply Chain Innovations Team of Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland, and joined Northern Territory Public Service in September 2020.
With three fast growing boys, my lovely wife and I feel Darwin is our place to be, and we have decided to make it our permanent home.
Your feedback is very valuable to us, so please get in contact and we can work together to achieve the shared goal of making the NT an even better place to grow, live, and prosper.
Dr Muhammad Sohail Mazhar
Acting Director, Plant Industries
Agriculture Branch
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
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Douglas Daly redevelopment EOI
Interested in supporting the agricultural and cattle industry in the Douglas Daly region? Registrations are now open for expressions of interest to redevelop part of Lot 17 Town of Fleming.
Topic: Livestock, Horticulture, Biosecurity | Feb 2022
Come visit us at the NTCA 2022 Conference
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade and the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security will be standing by to answer all your agriculture, biosecurity, mining and energy, environment, trade and agribusiness related questions at the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association 2022 Conference in Darwin this year.
Topic: Livestock, Horticulture, Biosecurity, Event | Feb 2022
Lights, camera, action! Douglas Daly Research Farm hits the small screen
The team at the Douglas Daly Research Farm hosted the television series stars and film crew for a few days in June for the ABC series finale of Muster Dogs.
Topic: Livestock | Feb 2022
Survey - Northern Territory Rural Review
Since September 2020, we have issued 5 editions of the northern Territory Rural Review in the digital format. We are seeking your feedback on what you like and your suggestions for improvement.
Topic: Livestock, Horticulture, Biosecurity | Feb 2022
Public consultation underway on new agribusiness and aquaculture strategic priorities
A draft list of strategic priorities for accelerating growth in agribusiness and aquaculture which has been developed following consultation with land councils and industry groups was released for public comment on 21 January 2022.
Topic: Livestock, Horticulture, Biosecurity | Feb 2022
Growing horticulture in Central Australia
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade is supporting the growth and diversification of horticulture in Central Australia through a number of measures.
Topic: Horticulture | Feb 2022
Congratulations to the 2020 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award finalists
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the national AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, including the Territory’s Amy Kirke.
Topic: Livestock, Horticulture, Biosecurity | Feb 2022
A high-resolution cropland extent product for the Northern Territory
Remotely sensed vegetation indices were used with artificial intelligence to identify the land capable of being used to growth crops in the Northern Territory, taking into account local climate, topography, and vegetation cover.
Topic: Horticulture | Feb 2022
Mangoes promise a productive future for the Territory
Mangoes are an important crop for the Northern Territory. This article gives a quick overview of the importance of mangoes, and of how the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade has contributed to the growth of this industry.
Topic: Horticulture | Feb 2022
Supporting commercial forestry opportunities in East Arnhem Aboriginal communities
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade’s Plant Industries is involved in a 3 year research and development project investigating the potential for commercial Indigenous forestry in northern Australia. The project is focused on the Northern Territory’s East Arnhem Land, and is due to be completed by June 2023.
Topic: Horticulture | Feb 2022
The Plant Industry group has a new Horticulture team leader
Dr Salman Quddus has recently joined the Katherine Research Station as Horticulture team leader with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade’s Plant Industry team.
Topic: Horticulture | Feb 2022
Plant Industries projects update for 2022
Plant Industries group of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade has four research, development and extension teams supported by a dedicated admin team.
Topic: Horticulture | Feb 2022
Carbon credits, CA$H now?
The main opportunity for Northern Territory cattle businesses is claiming credits that demonstrate reduced carbon emissions per kilogram of beef produced or changed savannah burning method. This is primarily achieved by improving the productivity of the herd. Sounds like a good idea - improving production and cashing in twice? However, you may want to ask yourself - should you be claiming the credits now, hold on to them as an investment for your business’ social license, or retain them for potential future regulatory compliance?
Topic: Livestock | Feb 2022
Restoring productivity in the rangelands
Getting the carrying capacity right allowed for a big improvement in land condition on the Old Man Plains Research Station following the La Niña events of 2010/11. Land condition has been maintained through some really dry years and the production system is strong and stable because of it.
Topic: Livestock | Feb 2022
Data = Fun!
During the recent Alice Springs BeefUp Forum there was discussion about how the pastoral industry can collect and use their own cattle data.
Topic: Livestock | Feb 2022
Pastoralists brave the rain for successful Alice Springs forum
The Alice Springs BeefUp Forum was held at the Alice Springs Desert Park in November last year. Pastoralists, Meat and Livestock Australia representatives, Department of Industry Tourism and Trade staff, and industry stakeholders came together to share knowledge about water quality, technology and weaner management, as well as brainstorming regional research priorities.
Topic: Livestock | Feb 2022
YTex fly tag trial at Mathison Station in Katherine
On 14 December 2021, the Katherine Livestock team headed out to Mathison Station (Katherine region) to kick things off with the YTex Fly tag trial. Insecticidal fly tags are used to reduce production and welfare issues posed by buffalo flies, which include decreased weight gain and milk production, and increased heart and respiration rates.
Topic: Livestock | Feb 2022
Remotely detecting cow and calf behaviours to alert producers to key production outcomes
The uSuckle project is well underway at the Katherine Research Station, using remotely monitored devices such as accelerometers and GPS trackers, to detect maternal behaviours associated with calf suckling events in first-lactation cows.
Topic: Livestock | Feb 2022
Recent fieldwork at Douglas Daly Research Farm
In December 2021, Katherine Livestock Industries team members Gretel and Christie, and Darwin-based Acting Livestock Director and Principal Livestock Research Scientist, Tim Schatz, travelled to the Douglas Daly Research Farm for the annual 400 day data collection for the selected Brahman and Composite yearlings.
Topic: Livestock | Feb 2022
Two new faces in the Katherine Livestock Industries team!
The Katherine Livestock Industries team has been growing and we would like to introduce you to the 2 newest members, Christie Pearson and Stacey Holzapfel.
Topic: Livestock | Feb 2022
Ehrlichiosis - beware of brown dog ticks
Ehrlichiosis is a serious disease of dogs that is spread by bites from brown dog ticks. Ehrlichiosis is present in almost all areas of the Northern Territory. Using effective tick prevention products on your dog can help to prevent the disease.
Topic: Biosecurity | Feb 2022
CitrusWatch is rolling out to protect Australia’s industry
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade’s Plant Biosecurity Branch is helping to deliver a national 5 year program called ‘CitrusWatch’ to protect Australia’s citrus crops.
Topic: Horticulture | Feb 2022
NT brands - what to do when selling or purchasing a property
When selling or purchasing a property there are certain requirements that need to be addressed if there is a Northern Territory brand registered to the owner of the property.
Topic: Biosecurity | Feb 2022
Cattle tick regulations
Cattle tick is a serious pest and can affect cattle buffalo, horses, mules, donkeys, sheep, goats, camels, deer, llamas and alpacas. It can reduce your livestock production and spread tick fever, which causes sickness and death in affected animals.
Topic: Biosecurity | Feb 2022
Protect yourself from zoonoses this wet season
Zoonoses are a health concern that all pastoralists should be aware of, particularly in the wet season.
Topic: Livestock, Biosecurity | Feb 2022