Future Proofing Indigenous Stations Pilot Project – Australian Cattle Veterinarians leading engagement of Indigenous pastoral stations in the Kimberley

_{Image: Australian Cattle Veterinarians president, Dr Tracy Sullivan, pregnancy testing a cow}

The Future Proofing Indigenous Stations Pilot Project was a collaborative initiative between the Australian Cattle Veterinarians (ACV) and Broome-based Indigenous not-for-profit organisation, Saltwater Country. 

This pilot project was initiated after ACV members identified an opportunity to improve the productivity and sustainability of Indigenous-owned cattle stations through engagement with leading industry providers such as veterinarians. 

It was hoped that this would result in an increased uptake of income-increasing industry research, animal health and wellbeing initiatives and technologies whilst strengthening connections with the wider Kimberley pastoral industry. ACV approached Saltwater Country with the idea, and they enthusiastically came on board to co-develop the pilot project. 

Through discussions with local beef cattle industry leaders, all local Kimberley cattle vet practices and state DPIRD and federal government DAWE vets, an integrated and collaborative plan was formed. The DPIRD Indigenous unit then assisted ACV and Saltwater Country to develop a project outline focusing on engagement with Indigenous pastoral stations to build capacity and empower local communities, with a special focus on youth to embrace their connection with their land, cattle and the wider beef industry. 

Industry partners delivering key animal health, welfare, sustainability messages pledged their support and expertise to further develop the scope of the project and increase its impact. These included local stock and station suppliers, Nutrien Broome; and local representatives of international vaccine suppliers, Virbac and Zoetis. 

Three stations – Lamboo, Roebuck Plains and Myroodah – took part in the pilot project. Australian Cattle Veterinarians President Dr Tracy Sullivan said, “The Future Proofing Pilot Project was a strong collaboration between industry, private vets and government, bringing together a valuable skill set in one place. Through collaborative engagement with industry, the project empowered Indigenous communities to strengthen their living and working connection with their cattle country through a prosperous production system, inspiring their youth and strengthening their futures.” 

ACV veterinarians involved in the project provided the following veterinary services: 

• pregnancy testing for female selection and spaying identified cull females unsuitable for genetic improvement, sustainability & drought resilience 
• disease management including botulism of breeding females through culling clinical females 
• bull fertility assessment of the bull semen and male selection for improved fertility, conformational improvement, selection for polled genetics and other characteristics to improve production, animal welfare and sustainability outcomes 
• implementing on-farm informal veterinary consultations that promoted shared knowledge, created understanding and documented biosecurity and animal welfare plans 
• built vet-client relationships to enable Indigenous community members to be confident contacting local veterinarians to discuss animal health concerns and disease investigation
• upskilling of Station leaders in the application of the cattle selection tools, animal and zoonotic disease prevention 
• upskilling of station hands and networking between Indigenous producers and veterinarians. 

Cattle selection, reproductive efficiency and animal health and management programs are necessary for productivity and economically viability. In the Kimberley there are 18 Indigenous-owned beef cattle properties supporting Indigenous communities. Of these 18, only two previously used veterinary services or preventative animal health programs. 

This highlights the need for increased support for veterinary services in rural and Indigenous communities, which has worsened with the critical Nationwide vet shortage. In addition to the Saltwater Country Project, the AVA is also aiming to improve access to rural veterinary services by campaigning for: 

• HECs debt fee forgiveness for new graduate veterinarians who choose to work regionally 
• Advocating for the veterinary profession to be included in schemes that help professionals  in rural areas 
• addressing the skills shortage in general by modifying prerequisite requirements of several visas that suitably qualified veterinarians commonly use to work in Australia

Positive results from The Saltwater Country Project are already becoming apparent, with three of the stations hardest hit by Cyclone Ellie acknowledging the skills they learnt were crucial in dealing with the management of their livestock during the flood. 

The story was previously covered by The Australian.