Kimberley Aboriginal pastoralists travel south for beef supply-chain tour

Kimberley Aboriginal pastoralists and beef industry representatives have travelled down to southern WA as part of their tour to take a look at local beef supply-chain opportunities. Twelve representatives from six pastoral stations participated in the beef supply-chain tour last week, supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Wunan Foundation. DPIRD Aboriginal economic development manager Melissa Hartmann said the tour offered Aboriginal pastoralists greater exposure to the local supply chain for cattle. “There is growing involvement of Aboriginal businesses in producing beef, including running pastoral cattle and preparing cattle for market through backgrounding,” she said. “This tour offers an excellent way to get an in-person look at a range of post-farmgate marketing opportunities for cattle.” Beemurra Aboriginal Corporation, which owns and operates a beef backgrounding operation at Yallalie Downs, hosted the delegation at its property in Dandaragan and facilitated the tour. “After eight years of collaborating with DPIRD and establishing a high-quality grazing program, our focus is to care for country and diversify income to go back into our communities,” Beemurra’s Madeline Anderson said. The tour included visits to Muchea Livestock Centre, Harvest Road feedlot and Harvey Beef abattoir. The group also explored the Sustainable Innovative Food Technology Centre, which food companies can use to research and develop new products, in the Peel region.