An iconic Territory research facility is inviting past and present stakeholders to help it mark half a century of achievement.
The Victoria River Research Station is the Territory’s principal pastoral research station. Better known as Kidman Springs, the station is located in the heart of the Victoria River district, one of the NT’s major cattle producing regions.
“Kidman Springs is nationally significant as a semi-arid tropical rangeland and cattle production research site,” said anniversary event organiser Trisha Cowley, Beef Extension Officer with the NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, which manages the station.
“Many research projects conducted at Kidman have had a lasting impact on the productivity of the North Australian cattle industry and on the sustainability of our pastoral landscape. That’s an achievement worth celebrating.
“We’re looking forward to seeing our many friends and colleagues from the NT and interstate coming together for this auspicious occasion. Managers, station hands, researchers, and anyone who’s made a contribution to the station’s success—we’re hoping they’ll all be there.
Established in 1966, the station covers 314 square kilometres and is managed as a breeding operation, with approximately 700 breeder cattle.
The Kidman Springs Best Bet Management System for managing cattle breeder herds in the NT has been instrumental in achieving substantial productivity gains in the northern cattle industry during the past 20 years. Recent research has centred on genetic improvements for greater productivity and market suitability while maintaining traits for hardy animals that suit tropical semi-arid production.
Shruburn, a 20-year-long fire research project on grazed savannahs, continues to be conducted and is an internationally significant research site.
Find out more about Kidman Springs and other research stations managed by the NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries:
https://dpif.nt.gov.au/about/research-farms-and-regional-offices
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Kidman Springs 50th Anniversary and Reunion
12.30pm 2 August to 2pm 3 August 2016
The event is open to past employees, researchers and others who have
significantly contributed to Kidman Springs over the years. Contact Trisha
Cowley if you’d like to attend or for more information:
trisha.cowley@nt.gov.au, (08) 8973 9770
Beds are limited so get in early to claim one! Food and drinks supplied. Lifts from Katherine can be arranged if you let Trisha know right away.
If you cannot make it in person, please send Trisha messages or stories to be shared on the day. After the event a celebration booklet will be sent to everyone who makes contact. If you are in touch with people who may not have received this, please give Trisha contact details.
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Photos attached:
Data collection for
a cattle project
Shruburn fire trial burn
Shruburn fire trial grid
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Media contact: Darrel Trueman, 8999 2044, darrel.trueman@nt.gov.au
