July 22, 2011

Australian pastoralists face financial setbacks

Ever since live cattle trade to Indonesia stops temporarily, more than 85% of pastoralists are affected financially, with more than 50% saying they have had to retrench employees.

The WA Department of Agriculture and Food survey of 37 pastoralists showed the majority are concerned about their limited cash flow, with some indicating it will force them to seek off-station work, move into a caretaker mode or walk off the lease altogether.

Kevin Brockhurst from Larrawa Station in Western Australia said he has lost faith in being able to sell any cattle to Indonesia this year.

"Basically what we have done is tip cattle back out into the paddock because we feel there is no market for them at the moment. They are cattle which should have gone onto the boats to Indonesia, but we have now put them back into the paddock, Brockhurst said. "And by the time we bring them back in again, they are going to be over the weight limit for Indonesia."

More than half of the pastoralists surveyed said they were concerned that not being able to sell cattle would lead to over-grazing.

Almost 70% of pastoralists said they were actively seeking alternate markets, such as Egypt and Malaysia.

However, some hinted they were concerned about the serious lack of alternatives, with responses including, "send them anywhere", "don't know" and "no market for this type of cattle".