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This experiment tested the hypothesis that relocating cattle is detrimental to their growth. The study examined the effect of having relocated cattle mixed with, or segregated from, the local acclimatised cattle at the destination property. Bos indicus cross steers (120) were allocated to three groups and were relocated, in two separate cohorts, 980 km from northern Queensland to improved pastures in central Queensland. At the start of Phase 1, the control group (C) was moved 3 months before the other two groups. The remaining two groups grazed native pastures; one group was supplemented (SR) to increase growth rate similar to that expected from improved pasture in central Queensland and the other was not supplemented (R). At the end of Phase 1, C was significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than SR, which was significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than R. At the start of Phase 2, the SR and R groups were relocated and after transportation the R and SR groups lost 12 kg or 4.4% of liveweight and 18 kg or 5.7% of liveweight, respectively; this weight loss was recovered after 5 days. All steers were reallocated to segregated (SEG) or mixed (MIX) treatment groups forming six treatments (SEG.C, SEG.R and SEG.SR and MIX.C, MIX.R and MIX.SR). There were no significant differences in liveweights within the SEG treatments by 57 days or within the MIX treatments by 106 days after relocation. There were few if any significant differences in the plasma constituents and differential leucocyte counts of the steers and most results were within physiologically normal ranges. We conclude on the basis of these results and of other experiments that the anecdotal poor performance of cattle after relocation appears to be unfounded.

In this paper we examine the forces that have shaped Australia’s far northern (north of 20° south) beef industry over the past 35 years. This is done for the purpose of tracing its transformation from a state of relative isolation to an integral part of the national beef industry. We note that integration is being accompanied by a greater focus, particularly by corporate producers, on specialised breeding in the far north and this is being assisted by innovations that increase herd fertility and raise the meat quality of the progeny, while retaining adaptation of the breeding herd to the local environment. Among a range of technologies, genetic improvement has significant potential to bring about rapid improvement in the meat quality of tropically adapted cattle. With respect to gene-based technology, however, independent producers will have to be convinced about the rigour of the technology and the prospects of economic gains before they make significant management changes. To this end, innovative marketing systems are needed that will reveal the link between expected meat returns and the offer prices applying to groups of growing cattle in any location. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to develop and introduce a descriptive and informative trading language for growing cattle that incorporates inherent qualities including those that influence meat quality. Innovations that will complement those applying to enhancement of meat quality are more general but will significantly raise herd productivity. We also compare the operating systems of both corporate and independent producers in the region.

Variation in the composition of eastern Australian molasses was examined. Data on molasses composition for 1997–2001 were collected from all 28 eastern Australian sugar mills. Since the last detailed study in 1975, there have been decreases in the concentration of reducing sugars (–6.2%), sucrose (–0.9%), total sugars (–2.5%), other organic matter (–11%) and calculated metabolisable energy (ME) (–2.8%). Dry matter (DM, +0.1%) and ash (+29%) concentrations have increased. Differences between milling regions were observed for DM (P

The land and pasture development practices of 375 northern Australian beef properties in 8 regions were surveyed during 1996–97. These properties represented a broad cross-section of the beef industry in terms of geographical location, enterprise and herd size, and ownership structures. Both tree clearing and killing were more common in Queensland than in the Northern Territory or northern Western Australia. In all regions where trees were poisoned, native pasture was more widely used than sowing introduced grass and/or legume species. In contrast, tree clearing was most often accompanied by sowing pastures (either an introduced grass only or introduced grass and legume species together), rather than using native pastures. Central coastal Queensland had the highest use of poisoning trees for pasture development. Tree clearing and using native pasture was most important in central Queensland regions and the Maranoa South West. Sowing introduced pasture species under live trees was more commonly practiced in northern Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia than in other regions. A considerable number of introduced grass and legume species were sown by producers. Most of the sown species were grasses. Many of the sown grass and legume species were spreading naturally. Buffel grass was spreading in all areas with < 1000 mm average annual rainfall, but most sown species were spreading only in wetter regions. Stylosanthes spp. were the most commonly spreading legume species in regions with > 500 mm average annual rainfall. The results are discussed in relation to contemporary natural resource management issues and how this may affect land and pasture development activities in the future.

During 1996 and 1997, a survey examined the business activities of 375 selected northern Australian beef producers during the 1991 and 1992 to 1995 and 1996 financial years. The producers represented a broad cross-section of the northern beef industry in terms of geographical location, size of enterprise and herd, and ownership structures. The survey examined the enterprise structures and herd productivity of the participating properties. A diverse range of production activities were carried out with breeding and finishing, of which breeding stores and live cattle export being the most common activities. About 50% of the survey properties were run in conjunction with another property, both of which tended to be located in the same survey region. The additional properties served various purposes, depending on their location. There was evidence of specialist roles for the additional properties. The purchase of store cattle tended to be an opportunistic activity with younger cattle (

Breeding herd performance and husbandry were surveyed on 375 northern Australian beef properties in 8 regions during 1996 and 1997. Mean branding rates ranged from 62.6% in the Northern Territory to 77.1% in the Maranoa South West regions of Queensland with considerable variation within regional herds. The proportion of herds using controlled mating was highest in the Central Coastal, Central Highlands and Maranoa South West. Mean mating period across all regions varied from 5.6 to 11.8 months. Calving was seasonal with peak activity in the August–December period. Calving commenced earlier in the south (August) than it did in northern regions (September–November). Rainfall influenced the timing of commencement of calving and peak calving activity. The use of pregnancy testing was widespread but selective and often not all females were pregnancy tested. About 97% of properties used weaning strategies with a peak in calf weaning in April–July, and a minor peak in September–October. Although mean weaner ages were similar across regions (5.9–6.9 months), mean weaner liveweight varied markedly with weaners in the more northern regions being lightest (200 kg. Culling criteria for cows and heifers focused on temperament, conformation and reproductive failure; age was also important for cows with a common culling age of 10 years. Bulls were more commonly culled at 7–8 years of age. In addition to age, bulls were culled for physical defects, reproductive problems, temperament and poor quality/performing calves. Four to 5 criteria were commonly used to select bulls. Structural soundness and temperament ranked highest followed by conformation, weight for age, Breedplan and colour. Producers using Breedplan tended to use structural soundness and temperament also as selection criteria. The results suggest that producers associated increasing turn-off weight or decreasing turn-off age more with pasture improvement than with bulls of higher genetic merit for growth. Supplementation of the breeding herd increased in the last half of the calendar year. Supplements containing molasses, urea, phosphate source, salt, and sulphate of ammonia were the most commonly supplied supplementary nutrients. Vaccination for botulism was quite common (>30% of regional survey groups) in all regions except Central Coastal and Maranoa South West regions of Queensland. Comparisons with previous surveys show that there have been marked improvements in breeding herd performance and management over an extended period. The results are discussed in relation to scientific developments over the last 2 decades and future development of the northern Australian beef industry.

The herd performance of 375 northern Australian beef producers during the 1991 and 1992 to 1995 and 1996 financial years was surveyed in 1996 and 1997. Estimates were made of annual liveweight gain from production systems based on native and improved pastures together with hormonal growth promotant use and supplementation practices. The most commonly used pasture communities for growing and finishing cattle were black speargrass and brigalow communities in Central Coastal Queensland and the Central Highlands; black speargrass in Northern Queensland; Mitchell grass and gidgee in Central Western and North-west Queensland; Mitchell grass in the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia regions and brigalow–softwood scrub in the Maranoa South West. There was considerable variation and overlap in the production ranges of the various pasture communities. The estimates and ranges of annual liveweight gains were comparable with measurements from scientific and commercial studies for 3 major pasture communities (black speargrass, brigalow and Mitchell grass). On this basis, the annual liveweight gain data are considered to represent sound estimates of performance from the pasture communities and husbandry systems in use in northern Australia. Mean annual gains for pasture communities in the more northern regions tended to be 90% of the supplements offered. The percentage of producers supplementing various classes of cattle varied widely (0–77%). Steers were often the least supplemented class and weaners were the most common. The highest percentage of producers (>68%) supplementing weaners was found in North-west and Northern Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia. Significant correlations explaining 3–23% of the variance were found between annual liveweight gain and latitude and/or longitude for native black speargrass and Mitchell grass pasture communities and improved brigalow pastures. Generally, annual liveweight gain increased with increasing latitude and longitude. The results are discussed in relation to herd management practices and sources of variation in the northern Australian production environment.

Natural resource management practices were surveyed on 375 northern Australian beef properties in 8 regions during 1996–97. These producers represented a broad cross section of the beef industry in terms of geographical location, size of enterprise, and herd and ownership structures. More than 48% of producers reported land degradation (erosion, salinity, weeds, etc.) and >68% reported woody weeds on their properties. Eucalypt (Eucalyptus and Corymbia spp.) and wattle (Acacia spp.) regrowth were universally common native woody weeds. Parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata) was widespread across all survey regions occurring with the greatest frequency in northern regions. A range of native and exotic woody weed species were regionally significant. Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) regrowth was mainly reported in the central Queensland and Maranoa South West regions. Prickly acacia (Acacia nilotica) was mainly reported in central and north-west Queensland. Rubber vine (Cryptostegia grandiflora) was mainly reported in northern Queensland with a significant presence in central coastal and north-west Queensland. Infestations with multiple weed species were common. Although many producers reported the presence of problem woody weeds, only 3–29% indicated that weed management was practised. Most producers (67–100%) used fire. The intended purpose of fire varied across survey regions but fire was commonly used to reduce rank material, reduce fire risk, control woody weeds and for grazing management. Seasonal conditions and variability restricted fire use. Assessment by visual observation was a commonly used practice for determining stocking rate. Between 4–20% of producers were using visual observation combined with some form of calculation of stocking rate at the end of the growing season to determine stocking rate. A majority (>67%) of producers used some form of paddock spelling or regeneration practice. Many producers (47–89%) considered that they used conservative stocking rates. Carrying sufficient stock to meet income requirements was significantly (P66% of producers had increased the number of stock watering points, and more than 85% of producers had erected fencing. Most fencing was for new paddocks and laneways, or to replace old fences, and was not associated with new stock watering points. However, the installation of new stock watering points was associated with the creation of new paddocks. Planned future fencing focused on creating new paddocks or laneways or replacing old fences. The results are discussed in relation to contemporary natural resource management issues and the future approaches to and challenges of implementing sustainable rangeland management.

Ninety young Merino ewes, depastured on Mitchell (Astrebla spp.) grass pastures in North West Queensland, were used in a hormonal growth promotant implantation study. The ewes were given 1 implant of Compudose, Ralgro, Revalor or Synovex-H, either at lamb marking (mid-dry season) or the start of the following summer wet season, which was ~180 days post-marking. The hormonal growth promotant implanted groups had greater (P

Summary. Thirty-two mature recently shorn wethers (mean liveweight 52.1 kg) were implanted with 1 of 4 different hormonal growth promotants (Ralgro, Compudose, Revalor-S and Synovex-H) to determine animal production responses on dry season pastures. The wethers were grazed for a period of 135 days on dry season native Mitchell grass (Astrebla spp.) pastures infested with Acacia nilotica. The wethers were weighed monthly. Four months after commencement of the experiment, the wethers were shorn to determine wool characteristics (micron, yield and staple length). At 2 weeks post-shearing the wethers were slaughtered to determine carcass attributes. Serial rumen ammonia concentrations indicated that diet quality was declining throughout the experiment. Relative to the controls, the Compudose implant had increased (P