Norfolk Island cattle industry assisted reproduction program

Following the removal of self-government in 2015, Norfolk Island came under Australia’s Biosecurity Act 2015, which resulted in a ban on live ruminant imports to the island. Prior to this, there was 10 years of inbreeding within the local cattle due to an inability to source new genes. The consequence was the near collapse of the cattle industry on Norfolk Island. 

RDA Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) advocated for action and devised a project with the agreement of the Territories Division of the Department of Infrastructure Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA).

With this agreement RDAMNC brought in genetics from New Zealand under advice from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. RDAMNC funded and led the development of a commercial grade assisted reproduction program for the Island by securing the services of Breeder Genetics¹. Working with the Norfolk Island Cattle Association (NICA), this changed the trajectory of the cattle industry on the island.

Breeder Genetics were able to navigate the import process and enable high quality genetics to be sourced. RDAMNC was also able to gain additional support and funding from the Territories Division of DITRDCA to fund the services of a skilled technician to perform the procedures.

An education program was delivered by Angus Australia with 80 per cent of the local producers attending the training on how to raise the most commercially viable beef. The RDA is developing a roadmap to provide Norfolk Island with the information and resources necessary for a sustainable and high-performing cattle industry in the future.

Learn more: Investing in the future of Norfolk's livestock | RDA Mid North Coast