A group of Aboriginal pastoralists recently gained an extensive insight into the southern beef supply chain, as part of a program to boost the knowledge and skills of the workforce.
A group of Aboriginal pastoralists recently gained an extensive insight into the southern beef supply chain, as part of a program to boost the knowledge and skills of the workforce.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) partnered with the Dandaragan based Beemurra Aboriginal Corporation to host the Nyoongar Ag Supply 2026 tour.
The group of 25 Aboriginal Pastoral Academy graduates and pastoralists from 10 stations in the Pilbara and Kimberley participated in the five day program, which included tours of feedlot operations, saleyard systems and meat processing operations.
Glen Hill station director Benji Curtin said a highlight of the excursion was an immersive visit to Beemurra Aboriginal Corporation's Yallalie Downs backgrounding operation, near Dandaragan.
"The tour was a unique opportunity to learn more about finishing pastoral cattle and satisfying supply chain requirements, alongside practical sessions on cattle handling, animal welfare and yard safety," he said.
"The group enjoyed hearing about Yallalie's feedlot business and grazing systems, as well as its carbon capture projects and agri-tourism initiative Camping with Custodians.
"The program also included a visit to Harvest Road's Koojan Downs Feeding Facility at Yathroo, where nutrition, animal health, sourcing, backgrounding links and integration with processing supply chains was discussed."
A tour of the Muchea Livestock Centre provided an opportunity to find out more about livestock receival, sale systems, buyer and vendor processes, animal movement and biosecurity.
Harvey Beef also hosted the group at its processing facility, providing learnings on supply chain demands, food safety, product pathways, workforce roles and market requirements.
"The bi-annual Nyoongar Beef Supply 2026 tour is a wonderful professional development opportunity for Aboriginal pastoralists to get a comprehensive overview of the beef supply chain," Beemurra Aboriginal Corporation chair Madeline Anderson said.
"The group's feedback was very positive about how the experience will help open the door to future life and career opportunities."
