Graziers say reviving the live cattle export market to Indonesia is key to boosting the industry. Source: AAP
AFTER the driest wet season in 91 years, northwest Queensland's Vanbrook cattle station is looking parched.
"It's not very good but you've got to deal with it," manager Neil Arnold said as dust from a dry paddock whirled around him.
"We've had to really change tactics."
Queensland graziers say the industry is in crisis.
They say a temporary ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia in 2011 and a state-wide drought have pushed prices below that seen in the 1970s slump.
Up to 100,000 cattle could starve if the market isn't revived and some graziers have started shooting stock they can't afford to feed.
Mr Arnold says things are bad, but fortunately he hasn't had to kill any beasts.
"The market is flooded because it's so dry, there are so many cattle at the moment," he told AAP.
To ensure his cattle don't starve he's had to sell off 5-8,000 more this year than he did in 2012.
"This is not normal at all," Mr Arnold said.
"In 91 years it's one of the driest wet seasons in history."
Reviving the live export trade market with Indonesia would solve the problem, he says.
His station used to export 10,000 cattle to that country, now they aren't sending any.
Indonesia reduced its import quota after live exports were temporarily banned when footage emerged of Australian cattle being mistreated in Indonesia.
The live export trade dropped from 660,000 head-a-year to 260,000.
Grazier Barry Hughes, chair of the cattle industry crisis group, hopes talks with Indonesian Ambassador Nadjib Riphat Kesoema on Monday brought the industry a step closer to reviving the market.
"We're trying to get this relationship back on track," he said.
"They need a solid commitment from the federal government and Australian beef industry in terms of security and continuity of supply."
Meanwhile, Mr Arnold says he'll continue to hope for the rain to fall and the grass to grow.
"The next wet season shouldn't be too far away," he said hopefully.
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