Cattle industry, farmers, could bear the brunt of the Top End nonsoon
While eager surfers took advantages of the churning ocean off Nightcliff, a leading Northern Territory knowledge hub has warned of the potential impacts to the agricultural sector if the tropical monsoon does not deliver.
Northern Territory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A leading Northern Territory knowledge hub has warned of the potential impacts to the Territory’s agricultural sector if the tropical monsoon does not unload over the Top End this Wet.
Northern Hub regional soil co-ordinator Emily Hinds said while the monsoon typically arrived in late December, its no-show so far could have consequences for the NT’s pastoral sector.
“In many pastoral regions of Western Australia, rainfall has been above the long-term median, ensuring strong pasture growth,” Ms Hinds said.
“However, areas like Darwin, Katherine, and Tennant Creek remain below average for rainfall totals, raising some concerns for water availability and long-term agricultural planning.
“Dependent on how the remainder of the wet season goes, and the movement of low-pressure troughs in the coming week, the pastoral industry in some areas of the Territory may need to address herd and pasture management challenges, in terms of balancing forage budgets and stocking rates.”
Ms Hinds’ comments come after NT historian Peter Forrest highlighted the potential risks of the monsoon’s non-arrival.
His research indicated the Top End had twice previously missed out on the monsoon, in 1906 and 1952, delivering dire consequences, especially in the north Australian pastoral industry.
“The year 1952 was a seasonal disaster in the Northern Territory and across much of Queensland,” Mr Forrest said.
“Worst affected areas were probably the Barkly Tablelands and Central Australia, but The Gulf country and north Queensland regions suffered badly too.
“In 1952, the early storms were light and fluky and the monsoons proper did not arrive at all – with the result that the northern cattle country was extremely stressed at the very beginning of the year, just when seasonal conditions should have been excellent or at least good.
“The result was that mustering could not commence because stock were too weak and cows and calves began to die early in the year. Stock routes did not open and stock movement ceased because the natural waterholes were still dry.
“At that time there were comparatively few bores or other artificial waters on the stock routes and stations. Consequently cattle could not be moved – there were then no road trains that could do the job efficiently or economically.
“By May, all hope was abandoned of any relief before November at the earliest and losses were huge, aggravated by a cold winter. Probably about 200,000 head died in the NT, about 25 per cent of the Territory herd at the time. There were similar losses in affected areas of north Queensland.
“The losses were compounded in future years because of the losses of breeders and the missed calvings in 1952 and 1953 – it took the northern industry years to recover.”
Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Zhi-Weng Chua said monsoonal conditions could hit the Top End either Friday or Saturday.
Rain is forecast for all three days, with modelling showing it could range from about 5mm to 50mm.
“There are certain criteria for declaring the monsoon in Darwin, and we haven’t reached those conditions yet, but it does seem quite possible from Friday, and more likely from Saturday onwards,” he said.
As winds picked up this week, NT News photographer Pema Tamang Pakhrin headed to Nightcliff to photograph thrillseeking Territorians braving the churning chocolate water and coffee rock to drag out the surfboards.
SEE THE PHOTOS
Originally published as Cattle industry, farmers, could bear the brunt of the Top End nonsoon
Millions of dollars in back-pay owed to thousands of NT workers
An error in public holiday pay has forced the NT government to stump up almost $22m owed to public servants. Find out who is affected.
$842.6m pledged for ‘important funding agreement’ for Territory
A six year multimillion-dollar agreement has been signed by the Territory and federal governments and a peak organisation which is set to improve outcomes in remote communities. Find out how.
Big plans for 2025 as NT brewery hits milestone
With one milestone already reached in 2025, the owner of a Red Centre brewery says big things are in the pipeline. Find out what.
Jailhouse rocked: Private contractor plan riles union members
The CLP Finocchiaro Government and the powerful union United Voice are on a collision course. Find out why.
NT public servants banned from using Chinese app
NT public servants are being directed to stop using a Chinese artificial intelligence app on official devices after the platform was deemed an “unacceptable risk”. Read what Corporate and Digital Development Minister Joshua Burgoyne said.
Former AFL stars cop bans as two NTFL clubs fined
A pair of former AFL stars have copped bans that may mean one misses finals while two NTFL clubs were fined for a melee. Find out what happened in the Round 16 tribunal.