Originally published by Camden Smith of NT News
17.03.2026
At least 700 delegates will be in Darwin this week for the NT Cattlemen’s Association 42nd annual industry conference.
With up to a dozen Territory cattle stations currently impacted by widespread flooding in the $1.2bn NT industry, chief executive Romy Carey said ‘Better on Beef’, this year’s conference theme, would underpin the significance of the industry to the Territory.
In her first NTCA conference welcome since assuming the role from Will Evans last year, Ms Carey highlighted the Territory’s remarkable start to 2026 and the impact that could have on the industry.
“The 2026 season has already shown us the full character of the north,” she said. “In many places the wet has been extraordinary, the country is alive, rivers are running, grass is growing and there’s real optimism in the air.
“But for others not just in the pastoral industry, but across the Territory, it’s been tough (with) floods, damaged roads and infrastructure, isolation and real strain on families and businesses. “What I’ve seen over recent months is what I always see in this industry, people stepping up, backing each other and getting on with it. That’s the resilience this industry brings, consistently and without fuss.
“Conference is our chance to pause and come together. It began as an AGM and has grown into something much bigger. Like our industry it evolves and strengthens each year, but the core remains the same – unity. When it matters we stand together.
“Beef underpins the Territory. It drives regional economies, sustains communities and connects northern Australia to national and international markets. Ours is an industry grounded in history but driven by ambition. As custodians of vast landscapes, we help shape the Territory identity.
“We are united by a clear objective – to advance, defend and strengthen the interests of Northern Territory cattle producers.”
The event kicks-off on Wednesday with an NTCA, Charles Darwin University ladies lunch at Mindil Beach Casino Resort, with industry trade events scheduled for Thursday, ahead of the annual general meeting from 3.30pm that afternoon.
Thursday’s speakers will traverse broad ground, covering of on issues as diverse as genomics, security and integrated farming.
At 11.15am Shannon Speight and Elise Vincent from Base Pair Genomics will discuss the science from a pastoralists perspective followed by a post-lunch panel discussion titled ‘The Real Issue in the North’ featuring North Australia Beef Research Committee chair Paul Burke, Meat and Livestock Australia’s Sally Leigo and Elders livestock manager Paul McCormick.
The conference rubber hits the road on Friday with an update on the NT industry from NTCA chairman Henry Burke, a video address from federal Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry minister Julie Collins, and an in-person speech from NT Agriculture Minister Gerard Maley.
Two keynote speakers before the lunch break will set the tone for the rest of the day, with McCrindle’s director of strategy Grant Dusting discussing the future of the NT beef industry, and economist Imants Kins discussing special economic zones.
At last year’s NT Bush Summit, Mr Kins called for changes to the NT’s tax system to generate private sector growth in the Northern Territory.
“We need the framework to allow the private sector to create the jobs and create income,” Mr Kins said.
NT Live Cattle Exporters Association will hold a sub-conference on Thursday from 9am with Indonesian Agriculture Minister Dr Siswo Pramono available to answer questions about the livestock trade with Indonesia.
“Everybody comes into town from all over the NT and the country for this conference,” Mr Moran said.
“It’s a good opportunity to network with pastoralists and exporters and road transporters or tech vendors, and it’s a really great event.”
The conference will mainly take place at Darwin Convention Centre from Thursday morning. Read the full program here https://aapevents.eventsair.com/ntca26/program
