Recap of the 13th Biennial Barkly Herd Management Forum
Neither a flat tyre or the steady Barkly breeze could stop the Katherine team on their travels to run the 13th Biennial Barkly Herd Management forum!
The forum was run by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) livestock extension team and hosted at Alexandria Station on 6 August 2025. The event was very well attended by leading hands and headstockmen from surrounding properties.
Toby Wass from Wass Veterinary Services kicked the day off with the fundamentals of breeder herd management. Toby covered breeder segregation, re-conception, health, nutrition, and the importance of station staff taking the time to observe livestock both in the yards and paddock and report anything out of the ordinary. One of the key points made clear by Toby was the importance of breeder body condition score, and how getting nutrition and stocking rates right is the best way to achieve this. From Toby’s experience,
“Changes in land management have doubled pregnancy rates and weaning rates on some properties on the Barkly.”
A pasture walk led by Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Pastoral Production Officer Chris Materne gave participants the opportunity to get outside and practise their pasture species ID. Chris spoke about pasture utilisation on the Barkly as well as the resilience of Mitchell Grass in both wet and dry years.
Emily Hinds from the Northern Hub gave everyone a crash course in soil structure, how to measure pH and why ground cover is imperative to preventing erosion.
Harry Evans from BushAgribusiness took the group through a session on profit drivers and why businesses might make certain decisions.
DAF extension officers Mary and Stacey then facilitated some activities to test people’s communication skills, getting everyone thinking about how they communicate with their stock camps.
The day wrapped up with station managers Chris Keane from Brunette Downs, Rob Bailey from Alexandria and Matt Barrett from Rocklands chatting to the attendees about leadership on stations, and how to deal with scenarios a leader might encounter both when managing a team and answering to higher management.
Thanks to all the presenters, attendees and Alexandria Station for hosting the 2025 Barkly Herd Management forum!