The Tennant Creek and Barkly Regions

The Barkly Tablelands is largely semi-arid. The climate is monsoonal with well defined wet and dry seasons.

Nearly all rainfall is received during the hot summer months, November to April, with the greatest incidence during January and February.

The variability of rainfall has an important effect on the cattle industry.

Lack of summer rains reduces pasture growth and can induce drought. The chance of drought occurring on the Barkly's is approximately 1 in 10 years.

Most properties in the Barkly region are company owned and, in general, the size of the properties is larger than in other regions. Properties range from 4,000sqkm to 14,000 sqkm in size.

The average property runs over 24,000 head of cattle.

FACTS AND FIGURES

• MARKETS: The Barkly membership predominately value added to other corporate operations in Queensland
  
• CATTLE NUMBERS: 140000 + are turned off
  
• RAINFALL: The average annual rainfall varies from 625 mm in the northern part of the district to 250 mm in the south eastern corner. Most stations receive an average of 400 mm to 600 mm.