NT Rural Review - November 2022

Note from our guest editor: Caroline Pettit

Caroline Pettit

Hello, my name is Caroline Pettit but most people will know me as Caz. I’m the Senior Rangeland Research Officer in Livestock Industry Development based in Darwin.

I started my career with the Department in Katherine as a Technical Officer straight out of university where I studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Adelaide University. During my studies I was determined to go into crop agronomy and focussed my studies on soil science and crop production. It wasn’t until my final weeks of university when I saw a position advertised at Katherine Research Station as a Rangelands Technical Officer that I realised my heart was dragging me to the outback. It’s no surprise really given I grew up on a property east of Broken Hill and spent much of my youth riding horses and chasing goats all over the Rangelands. The day after I found out I got the job, I packed my ute, drove up and never looked back.

The first project I worked on was the NT Carrying Capacity Project. I was tasked with establishing small exclosures known as SWIFTSYND sites across different land systems in the Sturt Plateau region. I collected precise soil and pasture data over a three year period which was used to calibrate the GRASP pasture growth model. This model is now used to calculate long term carrying capacity for many major land types across the NT and much of my career has been focussed on this work and we continue to expand and develop the models.

Over my past 18 years with the department I have worked on many major Livestock Industry projects including The Pigeon Hole Project, Mt Sanford utilisation trials, Kidman Springs Pasture Sustainability, Shruburn and the Beetaloo rotational grazing project. I am passionate about research and turning that into tangible information for the pastoral industry to promote profitable and sustainable grazing management.

I have recently moved into the Rangeland Research Program Manager position and I now oversee all the Rangeland research projects within the Department. We have some exciting new projects starting including Rain Ready Rangelands looking at implementing best practise grazing land management on commercial cattle properties and Next Generation Land Managers which will expand our successful Rangeland management courses into new regions and develop a mentor program for young pastoral industry staff.

It is an absolute privilege to work with my team across the NT. I am continually motivated by their enthusiasm and passion for the pastoral industry and the work we do. I can honestly say that I think I have the best job in the best part of the world!

Caroline (Caz) Pettit

Senior Rangeland Research Officer
Livestock Industries
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Sort article by region
Sort article by topic
Greater Darwin, Katherine Region, Barkly Region, Central Australia

Akaushi bulls introduced into the Quality Graze project

The Quality Graze project at the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) in Alice Springs, aims to improve land management and beef quality for the Northern Territory cattle industry.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Greater Darwin, Katherine Region, Barkly Region, Central Australia

Workforce pool as mango season opens

The Territory Government is working to bolster its international workforce pool to maximise on agricultural opportunities, as Mango season opens for 2022.

Topic: Horticulture | Nov 2022

Greater Darwin, Katherine Region, Barkly Region, Central Australia

Tribute to Bob Williams

Bob Williams, integral to laying the foundations to a prosperous Northern Territory agriculture sector, is being remembered as a caring colleague who nurtured future leaders.

Topic: Horticulture | Nov 2022

Katherine Region, Barkly Region

CRCNA project on delivering a sustainable cropping system in the Northern Territory ready to go

A new project lead by DITT and funded by CRCNA to address the basics of cropping systems will start soon in NT.

Topic: Horticulture | Nov 2022

Greater Darwin, Katherine Region

What is the weed potential of GM cotton in the Northern Territory

Cotton farming is growing in the Northern Territory (NT) owing to favourable tropical climate and use of contemporary technologies. The Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT) has responded to the apprehensions that genetically modified (GM) cotton spread around the roadside could potentially turn into a difficult-to-control weed owing to its enhanced fitness derived from resistance against glyphosate (a well-known herbicide).

Topic: Horticulture | Nov 2022

Greater Darwin, Katherine Region, Barkly Region, Central Australia

Reminder of the Land Transport Standards (LTS)

The Land Transport Standards (LTS) are a set of nationally agreed standards and guidelines to ensure appropriate welfare for livestock during the transport process.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Greater Darwin, Katherine Region, Barkly Region, Central Australia

Moving livestock into the NT – NT Health Certificate & Waybill

When moving livestock from interstate into the Northern Territory, there are specific procedures for every species of animals. This includes the need for an NT Health Certificate and Waybill specific to that species.

Topic: Livestock, Biosecurity | Nov 2022

Greater Darwin, Katherine Region, Barkly Region, Central Australia

Regulatory requirements for the movement of goats within the Northern Territory

Like any other livestock in the Northern Territory, goats have requirements to adhere to in order to transit within the NT.

Topic: Livestock, Biosecurity | Nov 2022

Central Australia

Meet Dr Farida Abubakari, the new Pastoral Extension Officer

The new pastoral extension officer on the Alice Springs Livestock team.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Greater Darwin, Katherine Region, Barkly Region, Central Australia

Calf loss collaboration at Manbulloo

New projects and collaborations between Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, University of Queensland and Central Queensland University are set to take off at Manbulloo with various technologies fitted to cows to monitor calving events and behaviours.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Katherine Region

What happened to the good years? Understanding and planning for long term variability in pasture production

The 25 year period between 1993 and 2017 is the wettest on record in the Victoria River District. But we don’t know if this is a new normal, or if rainfall has since shifted to a drier phase.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Katherine Region

Do we really need to burn the bushes? 30 years of the Kidman Springs Fire Experiment, NT

Savannas are adapted to frequent fires. Removing fire can lead to woody thickening, turning open grasslands to less productive (for cattle grazing) woodlands.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Katherine Region

VRRS BeefUp and field day

Did you attend the Victoria River Research Station Field Day and BeefUp? If you missed it, here’s a run-down on the topics covered and the key messages shared by guest speakers, research scientists and beef producers alike.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Greater Darwin, Katherine Region, Barkly Region, Central Australia

Know the favourite grasses of livestock

Palatable grasses for livestock

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Katherine Region

To manage cattle you must first manage rangelands- rangeland management education for ringers

DITT staff have been out and about delivering training to station staff on all things rangeland management- teaching things we would have loved to have known when we were ringers!

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Greater Darwin, Katherine Region

Selected Brahman and composite weaning and 600 day data collection

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade researchers have been working to improve the fertility of cattle through selection for many years and now cattle from the department’s Selected Brahman and Tropical Composite herds are involved in the Repronomics 2 project.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Central Australia

Bryan Gill – retiring after 40 years working for the Central Australian pastoral industry

Bryan Gill is retiring after 40 years working with the Northern Territory Government. Bryan began as a Stock Inspector in 1982, before becoming an Advisory and Extension Officer for many years. He was a lead contributor to the development and management of the Old Man Plains Research Station from its establishment in 2004, ultimately becoming the Manager in 2015. Bryan has also been a key figure in the Arid Zone Research Institute Social Club and a strong supporter of the Alice Springs Show cattle sections.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Central Australia

A cattleman’s view of grazing land management

Experienced cattleman and manager, Bryan Gill, describes his experience in developing and managing grazing strategies that allow for sustained, high levels of production regardless of seasonal conditions in the highly variable climate of Central Australia.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

Greater Darwin, Katherine Region, Barkly Region, Central Australia

CalfWatch Project Results

The results from the recently completed CalfWatch project are in. Located near Katherine, this study involved a range of technology to investigate calf loss in extensive cattle operations. Read more about the findings in this project article written by Principal Livestock Research Officer, Tim Schatz.

Topic: Livestock | Nov 2022

No articles matching your selected filters were found.

Resources

Pastoral Market Update Pastoral Feed Outlook Subscribe