INDONESIA will always remain the single most important trading partner for the Northern Australia cattle industry.
That is according to Australian Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA) president, Shane Bishop, Garglen Brahmans, Gympie.
Mr Bishop, accompanied by ABBA vice-president Matthew McCamley and Queensland livestock exporter Angus Adnam, has recently returned from a 10-day tour to gain an understanding of the Indonesian cattle industry.
"Our visit was to learn about the live export trade and the conditions Australian bred cattle have to adapt to," Mr Bishop said.
"Indonesia is looking for a consistent, reliable long term supply of feeder, slaughter, and productive breeding cattle.
"We can implement our genetics to adapt to these conditions and produce moderate framed easy doing earlier maturing type which is what is needed."
Mr Bishop said Indonesia was also looking to Australia for breeding heifers as part of their food security.
"The Brahman forms the base of their breeder herd, and Indonesia is always keen to secure both breeder bulls and semen, which often has been sourced from Northern Territory genetics.
Mr Bishop said ABBA has added its support to the Government of Indonesia's plan to build the Indonesian domestic cattle herd, and the Ministry of Agriculture's plans to import productive heifers to help achieve their breeding aims towards self sufficiency.
"We will work closely with Professor Muldano, the director general of the Directorate General of Animal Health and Livestock in the formation of an Indonesian Brahman Breeders Association," he said.
"This will include ABBA providing technical support and sourcing suitable Australian genetics.
Director General Muladno has been invited to attend and speak about development of the Indonesian cattle herd at the forthcoming World Brahman Congress hosted by ABBA in May at Rockhampton.
"We will welcome and induct the Indonesian Brahman Breeders Association as the 16th member at the World Brahman Congress,"Mr Bishop said.
He said interest and registrations for the World Brahman Congress were rolling in.
"We have an early bird registration (discounted) package and it will close on March 1."
