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This program received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Welcome from our Director
Welcome to the latest Northern Hub newsletter. This edition highlights exciting developments across our region as we continue to strengthen partnerships and support locally driven research.
In exciting news we are hiring a Project Coordinator (Natural Capital) to lead work across the NT and northern WA. This role will support growing interest in natural capital markets and help share information and engagement in this topic across the region.
Earlier in March some of the team attended the BeefUp workshop in Broome which brought together pastoralists, Traditional Owners, and researchers to share knowledge on sustainable grazing, land management, and the growth of the Aboriginal Pastoral Academy. The energy and collaboration on display was inspiring, keep your eyes peeled for one being announced in your area across 2025.
What a privilege it was to attend this year’s NTCA Conference, the Hub was fortunate to have a stall within the exhibition section of the conference where we connected with cattle producers, industry and policymakers, we discussed the role of innovation and research in supporting a resilient industry. It was great to see strong engagement with the Northern Hub’s work and we are already excited for next years conference.
The Northern hub team attended the NT Cotton Industry Stewardship Forum in Katherine, exploring challenges and opportunities for cropping systems. These conversations are vital for ensuring sustainability and inclusion in emerging industries for our region.
To round out a very busy few weeks we are getting ready to participate in the upcoming Northern Australia Food Futures Conference—a key event shaping the future of agriculture in the north. We hope to see you there and invite you to come visit us at our stand for a chat and to learn more about our work.
Thanks for being part of the Northern Hub journey! We look forward to connecting and collaborating together – see you out in the field or at the next event.
Best regards,
Leia Grimsey | Northern Hub Director
Join Our Team
We're Hiring – Project Coordinator (Natural Capital)
Northern Hub is seeking a passionate and skilled Project Coordinator to support research, engagement, and awareness on natural capital markets in the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia.
This part-time (0.5 FTE) contract role runs until June 2026 and includes:
Leading policy research and stakeholder engagement on nature-based solutions
Organising workshops and a stakeholder engagement roadshow
Creating accessible policy summaries and case studies
Collaborating with industry, government, and First Nations organisations
Applications close 5:00pm ACST, Friday 4 April 2025.
View the role description, request for quote, and submit your application.
Hub Team Out and About
BeefUp Broome 2025: Strengthening Northern Australia’s Pastoral Future
Photo: Northern Hub's Aboriginal Engagement and Program Coordinator, Troy Garling and Regional Soil Coordinator Emily Hinds along with Elsie Vincent, Dr Angela Lees & Ann Marie Huey.
BeefUp Broome 2025 brought together pastoralists, Traditional Owners, researchers, and industry leaders over two insightful days of discussion focused on strengthening Northern Australia’s beef industry.
Day one opened with Belinda Duffy, Coordinator of the Aboriginal Pastoral Academy (APA), who shared updates on the program’s progress. This sparked valuable conversations around expanding the initiative into the Northern Territory and highlighted key themes such as grant writing support and the importance of knowledge-sharing between Traditional Owners and pastoralists.
Day two focused on compliance, genetic advancements, and the proposed development of feedlots near Broome—developments that, if approved, could provide major employment opportunities across the region. The forum concluded with a compelling session on fire and grazing by Matt Fletcher, whose spinifex research, supported by the Northern Hub, offers new insights into sustainable land management.
The event also allowed the Northern Hub team to strengthen connections with key stakeholders including KPCA, DPIRD, local landholders, and conservation groups. The Hub looks forward to building on these conversations to support sustainable practices and soil health across the Kimberley and Pilbara.
Driving Progress Together: Reflections from the NTCA Conference
Left Photo: Northern Hub’s Director Leia Grimsey and Aboriginal Engagement and Program Coordinator, Troy Garling
A huge thank you to the Northern Australia Climate Program (NACP) for sharing a stall with us—it was a great chance to connect with others working to support the future of the pastoral industry.
We also congratulate the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association on delivering a successful conference that brought together producers, researchers, and policymakers to explore current challenges and future opportunities across the sector.
It was great to hear Deputy Chief Minister Hon Gerard Maley highlight the Northern Hub’s role in fostering collaboration and driving innovation through partnerships with NT Government programs.
The Northern Hub remains focused on strengthening connections across industry, research, and government to deliver practical outcomes for Northern Australia.
One clear message from the conference: the cattle industry is moving forward with innovation and collaboration at its core. We're excited to be part of this journey—working together to build a stronger, more resilient future for the north.
Northern Hub at NT Cotton Industry Stewardship Forum
Knowledge Broker, Dave Gallacher, recently represented the Northern Hub at the 3rd NT Cotton Industry Stewardship Forum in Katherine. The forum brought together researchers, industry leaders, and government representatives to discuss the future of broadacre cropping in the Territory, particularly the potential for a sustainable rain-fed cotton industry.
The forum is part of a four-year project focused on addressing key knowledge gaps in NT cropping systems—including agronomy, crop establishment, pest and disease management, and social factors affecting industry growth.
Dave highlighted the value of connecting with a diverse group of stakeholders and gaining up-to-date insights on current research and practical challenges. He noted strong engagement with topics like cotton disease management, land stewardship, and long-term sustainability, as well as the importance of integrating community perspectives into cropping system development.
Forums like these ensure that research translates into on-the-ground impact while supporting a more inclusive and collaborative approach to agricultural development in the north.
For more information, visit daf.nt.gov.au.
Defining Drought in Our Region
Defining Drought with Jardine McDonald from Broome, WA
Australian Animal Welfare Strategy
Have Your Say on the Renewed Australian Animal Welfare Strategy
© Bunya Designs and Saltwater People. Cowal Makiya, 2024
The Australian Government has launched the next phase of consultation for the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy (AAWS), following the release of the first National Statement on Animal Welfare.
This round focuses on the development of animal group chapters that will identify practical actions needed to improve Australia’s animal welfare system. Community input is being sought through a Have Your Say survey, which builds on previous feedback and aims to shape a renewed, modern, and future-focused strategy.
The six animal groups covered are:
Livestock and production animals
Aquatic animals
Animals in the wild (native, introduced, and feral)
Companion animals
Animals used for work, sport, and recreation
Animals used in research and teaching
Submissions close at 4.00pm (AEST) on Monday 14 April 2025.
Opportunities & Updates
Northern Hub-Backed Study Tour: Discover the Power of Legumes in North Queensland
Northern Hub and DPIRD invite pastoralists on a North Queensland Study Tour to explore the power of legumes for dry season feed quality. The ‘Stylo’ Project, proudly funded by the Northern Hub and delivered by DPIRD, is offering a unique opportunity for pastoralists and industry representatives to take part in a fully supported study tour of North Queensland.
From Monday 12th May to Friday 16th May 2025, participants will visit leading beef producers with established stylo pastures, stylo seed producers, legume trial sites, and the renowned Walkamin Research Station – the centre of tropical legume innovation.
This tour is designed to showcase the potential of tropical legumes, particularly stylos, to improve feed quality during the dry season. Attendees will hear directly from experienced pastoralists and researchers, gaining insight into the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned from integrating legumes into grazing systems.
Subsidised places are limited. One representative per pastoral entity is eligible to apply for a subsidised position, with additional attendees welcome at their own cost. Places will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so early applications are strongly encouraged.
Where: Cairns, Atherton Tablelands, and west to Georgetown
When: Monday 12th May – Friday 16th May 2025
Contact: Geoff Moore on geoff.moore@dpird.wa.gov.au for more information.
Northern Territory Committee Biosecurity Scholarship
Do you work in biosecurity in the Northern Territory?
To build the Northern Territory’s biosecurity capacity and capability, The Crawford Fund NT is offering several scholarships to support researchers in the field of biosecurity to generate knowledge and learning through conference attendance and/or international travel.
Three scholarships are available, each up to the value of AUD $3300. The scholarships are open to Australian citizens or residents engaged in biosecurity research in a professional or academic capacity working in the Northern Territory.
This scholarships are generously supported by the Northern Territory Government.
Application process There is a very short online application form: Crawford Fund Biosecurity Scholarship Application Form 2025
Please note: travel or conference attendance must be undertaken before the end of August 2025.
Successful applicants will be required to provide a short report on their travel or conference attendance and a copy of any presentations provided. Successful applicants will also be invited to join a meeting of the NT Committee to provide feedback and a brief report on their experience.
If you have any questions or queries, please reach out to Tania Paul - tania.paul@crawfordfund.org
The closing date for applications is midnight Monday 13 April 2025.
Upcoming Events
NAFF Conference
8th - 9th April
Darwin, NT
The Northern Australia Food Futures Conference is Australia’s leading conference
on agricultural development in the North.
RINA Conference
8th - 9th April
Darwin, NT
Research Institute of Northern Australia is hosting the first North Australia Universities Alliance postgraduate conference.
Agriculture Forum
13th - 14th May
Brisbane, QLD
The North Australian Climate Resilience in Agriculture Forum unites northern Australia stakeholders to map current activities, identify gaps, and guide future collaborative RD&E investment opportunities.
Save the Date
Farm to Feed Forum - 19th to 20th of June
The Northern Hub is proud to sponsor this important event supporting innovation and resilience in the NT’s livestock and cropping industries.
Are you a Northern Territory cattle producer? Curious about the future of feed and how local cotton and silage could boost cattle nutrition and production? Don’t miss the Farm to Feed Forum – a two-day free event diving into practical, profitable strategies.
CDU RINA Upcoming Events – Register by 30 April
Two key workshops are coming up at the CDU Katherine Campus, focused on building climate resilience in rangeland systems. Both events require registration by 30 April.
10 June 2025 – Climate Resilient Rangelands Workshop
Featuring presentations from leading experts, including Dr David Augustine, a cattle–rangeland interactions researcher from the United States Department of Agriculture.
11 June 2025 – Climate Resilient Rangelands Research Collaboration Workshop
A full-day session dedicated to fostering collaborative research across sectors to support sustainable rangeland futures.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of these important conversations.
What's Happening in Our Region
Grazing land management (GLM) EDGE 3 day workshop
Register your interest now for GLM EDGE Workshop
Contact Dionne Walsh - Range IQ, M: 0417 083 638, E: dionne@rangeiq.com.au
Contact Trudi Oxley - Upriver NT, M: 0409 740 806, E: trudi@uprivernt.com
Register your interest now for Nutrition EDGE Workshop
Places are limited. Register via
Désirée Jackson - Désirée Jackson Livestock Management
M: 0409 062 692 or E: desireejackson@djlm.com.au
Better Beef Business Forums and Field Day
Hub Resources
Understanding Mango Crop Nutrition Guide
Plant nutrition is essential for achieving optimum orchard production and fruit quality. Deficiencies, excesses, and imbalances in plant nutrients can negatively affect yield and fruit quality. Fertiliser use must be managed alongside soil moisture to ensure trees receive the necessary nutrition during different growth stages, flowering, and fruit development. Regular monitoring of plant and soil nutrient levels is vital.
By understanding how nutrients function, following the growth cycles of bearing trees, analysing soil types and conditions, and conducting regular leaf and soil tests, growers can fine-tune fertiliser programs to meet the needs of each block. Proper management of nitrogen, potassium, boron, calcium, and soil pH is key to successful mango nutrition.
Legume Management in Top End Farming and Grazing Systems Manual
The Legume Management in Top End Farming and Grazing Systems manual is now free to download.
Developed by Territory NRM, this resource provides Northern Territory producers with practical guidance on integrating legumes into farming systems to enhance soil health, improve livestock nutrition, and support sustainable land management. It covers species selection, best management strategies, and no-till techniques.
Hard copies are available at the TNRM Darwin office.
Share Your Stories & Ideas
We’re excited to invite contributions for our upcoming newsletter. Whether you have an article, a community update, an event announcement, or a personal story to share, we want to hear from you. Your insights help enrich our newsletter and connect our community.
If you’re interested in contributing, please click on link below and fill out the form. We’re looking for a brief description of your submission, relevant details, and any images you'd like to include.
Let’s keep the conversation going and showcase the voices that make a difference! Please note that while we strive to include as many contributions as possible, some submissions may not be able to be included this publication.
Follow Our Socials
Curious about what we’re up to? Our Northern Hub Team is dedicated to making a difference, connecting communities, and creating positive change. From on-the-ground initiatives to local events and collaborations, we’re excited to share our journey with you. Click on the links below to explore more, stay informed, and get involved!
