A BREAKTHROUGH cattle trial is coming at the end of an era for a well-known Territory couple.
Henry and Maria Townsend are kicking off a new trial coupling a South African breed with the hearty Brahman at Stapleton Station.
The trial will continue amid the Townsends' final stages of selling their three properties.
They subdivided their 1706 square kilometre property 80km west of Katherine into East Mathison, Dixie and Stapleton. They sold one and decided to auction off the remaining two as they plan to go into semi-retirement.
"It's a gradual process," Maria said. "(Our three children) have moved from home and we have a house in Katherine.
"If all goes well, we want to put our stud cows on agistment somewhere around Katherine."
Henry was approached by the Nguni Cattle Breeders' Society's handful of members to run a revolutionary trial.
Maria said they bred seven Nguni bulls with 250 Brahman cows in February this year and are expecting the first calves in November. The study will compare growth, production and fertility. Maria said the breed has significant positive traits, but they might have to get creative in marketing them.
"They're not a big animal, but they're a big converter of grass (making grazing and growth more efficient), and they hold their condition better," she said. "Brahmans are getting too big - production is falling.
"Nguni also have very strong genetics and join quicker, so there won't be big gaps between calving."
Maria said exporting the breed might be difficult, with buyers used to a certain appearance.
"Buyers are conditioned to buy grey or red (cattle)," she said.
But she believes producers have to think outside the box.
Maria said Nguni cattle have a spotted hide which might be a good marketing option, but conversely, northern con- ditions might ruin the product.
"Maybe we will agist them down south because the hide is susceptible to insect bites up here," she said.
"We could breed them here but keep them down closer to abattoirs (for processing)."
Maria said the decision to get involved was an ambition come true.
They arrived back from an overseas trip and drew up future plans, with the fourth year marking a Nguni trial.
"And it happened!" she said.
The station auction will be held on April 15, which Maria expects to be fuelled with much interest. She said it's time to move on after decades in the Top End, seeking more chances to spread their knowledge elsewhere.
Henry has been in the region most of his life, spending 40 years with LaBelle Station and helping drive Townsend Cattle Company.
"Henry knows how to develop properties; I can't speak highly enough of his knowledge," Maria said.
They are moving away at a time of industry trouble, but Maria said they have fared very well and noted the positives.
"I think the (Indonesian) weight restrictions have made people manage their cattle properly," she said.
"We haven't suffered - it's created different markets for big cattle."
The couple would like to keep roots in Katherine, but will move on to explore other places like the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
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