HVT Cremorne Capital
4th Quarter 2023-2024
1st April 2024 – 30th June 2024
July2024
Hay stacked - Whatfor May 2024
1. OperationsSummary
This report is presented in accordance with the requirements of the management agreement. It encompassestheperiodfrom 1st April2024,to30th June2024.
During the reporting period, the main operations included maintenance spraying of the jarra crop, mowing and baling of the jarra, the agistment program, community fuel reduction burns, and general property maintenance activities.
MonthJulyAugSeptOctNovDecJanFebMarAprilMayJuneAnnual
years)
MonthJulyAugSeptOctNovDecJanFebMarAprilMayJune
Rainfall recorded in the Douglas Daly shows the following measurements for 2023/24 season YTD:
Following on from above average rainfall during the 2023-24 wet season (October to March), the April- June quarter experienced climatic conditions characterized by near-average temperatures and below-average rainfall.
April saw the transition from the wet season, with a noticeable decline in rainfall and temperatures remaining moderately high. The Douglas Daly region generally receives around 50-55 mm of rain during April, but this year only received approximately 25 mm of rain.
Mean Douglas Daly Rainfall (1968-2024
DouglasDalyRainfall(meanvsactualYTD)
MayandJunecontinuedthetrendwithdecreasingrainfall,withnorainfallbeingrecordedattheDouglasDaly ResearchFarm–DDRFthisyear.Thetemperaturesduringthesemonthswereslightlyaboveaverage, influencedbytheremnantsoftheElNiñoconditions,whichweretransitioningtoneutral.Thisperiodsawa mixofwarmdaysandcoolernightsastheregionmovedfurtherintothedryseason.
Movingforwarddeeperintothedryseason,BOM’slongtermforecastpredictthat“typical”dry-season conditionswillprevail,withverylittlechanceofoutofseasonrainfall.Temperatureswillalsoremaincloseto longtermaverages,withcoolnightsandbrightsunnydays.AtthisstagetheNinosouthernoscillationis neutral,butweareonaLaNinawatchasaLaNinamaydevelopasweprogresstotheendofthiscalendar year.
2. AreaStatement
The area of the Whatfor property is 3,207 ha. Land use is summarised in table 1 below
Table1: Land-use summary, Whatfor Station.
2.1 2007AgeClass
As previously reported, the 2007 age class is in reasonably good health. The “good” wet season has resulted in continual growth as we progress into the 2024 dry season, with adequate soil moisture being maintained. The bright, sunny cloudless days along with adequate soil moisture assisted in continual growth during the quarter
Weed growth and population noticeably increased during the reporting quarter, as a change in agistees resulted in no cattle grazing pressure for approximately six weeks. The new agistee has moved in ~ 200 head of cattle and weed populations and growth are now starting to be reduced.
2.2 2008AgeClass
General plantation health is reasonable to good. As with previous years, areas established on lighter-sandier soils or rocky soil profiles are starting to exhibit some signs of stress. These areas are exhibiting some signs stress – with early leaf drop occurring. Thinning is required in the unthinned stands to improve stand composition, reduce water stress, and accelerate tree growth.
As per the 2007 age class, weed populations and growth increased during the reporting quarter due to the change in agistees. The new agistee is now working with AMA to manage the grasses through adequate grazing pressure.
3. OperationalActivities
3.1 Thinning
No thinning activities were undertaken at Whatfor during the reporting period.
3.2 Hayoperations
The jarragrasscropwasharvestedinMay.Approximately1200bales(624t) ofgood-quality,fertilised hay was produced. Hay sales should occur during Q1 2024/25.
3.3 Agistment
As alluded to earlier in the report, with the retirement of our long-term agistee, Whatfor has a new agistee. The new agistee is a Douglas-Daly local and has moved in approximately 200 head of cattle – a mix of cows (and calves) and heifers. AMA isworking with the new agistee as they come to understand the property layout, watering points and management needs.
3.4Firemanagement
As the dry season progresses, AMA management is conscious of the threat of wildfire to the Whatfor property. The maintenance of good firebreaks, reduced fuel levels (through grazing), and early dry season control burns have been conducted by AMA, the Douglas Daly Volunteer Fire Brigade, and neighbouring property managers.
Roadside verge in front of Whatfor after a control burn by AMA and the Douglas Daly Volunteer Fire Brigade
4.1 ESGActivities–Q4
Environment
Hazardous materials handling and storage – MS coordinated with organizers of the drumMuster program for the collection and disposal of empty chemical drums from AMA managed properties in the Douglas Daly.
Feral animal control –During quarterAMA hasmanaged accessto the estate for recreational hunters to hunt/shoot feral animals (buffalo, pig and wild dog). The on-going interaction of AMA with registeredrecreationalhuntersismutuallybeneficialandassistsincontrolferalanimalsontheestate.
Other – MS met with CDU students and Lindsey Huntley at the KBC Billabong, giving a presentation about AMA operations, natural capital values and fire management in Douglas Daly.
Fire management and mitigation - MS assisted in controlling wildfires in Jindare (Mentabie and Whatfor neighboring property).
Social
Inter/intra-Industry Collaboration – CO and MS hosted the Australian Forestry Hub managers in the DD.Themanagersweregiven anoverviewofthedevelopmentoftheAMplantations,shownsamples of sawn plantation timber and visited the plantations.
Inter/intra-Industry Collaboration – CO attended various industry on-line and face-to-face meetings (FWPA, AFPA, FIANT, NTOV Forestry Hub) during the quarter.
Community Fire Protection – MS coordinated and undertook roadside burning with the DDVBB and community members.
Community Interaction – MS attended the Douglas Daly Campdraft of which AMA were sponsors.
Governance
Business Development – AMA were successful in gaining a NT Gov grant to assist in the purchase of a portable sawmill, woodworking machinery and lighting for Stray Creek shed. The sawmill will assist AMA in producing samples and protypes for potential customers and have a greater understanding of the nuances associated with milling Khaya.
Business Development – COcollaborated with Hanna Lillicrap (NTOVFH) on the article "Exploring the Potential of African Mahogany in the Northern Territory" that is to be published in the Timber & Forestry news online journal.
Business Development – CO attended the NT Farmers/Drought Hub Forage to Farming forum and field day in Katherine.
Business Development – CO met with Peter Torrelle (3RT) to discuss the technology and opportunities of utilizing small diameter AM for 3RT products.
17/05/2024
15/05/2024
13/05/2024
relationsSuppier/Contractor
relationsSuppier/Contractor
8/05/2024 DevelopmentBusiness
16/04/2024Crop performanceAll
12/04/2024
11/04/2024
relationsSuppier/Contractor FLO
MS met with a new hay contractor for the mowing, baling and stackig of the jarra hay crop at Whatfor
Standish MS assisted in controlling wildfires in Jindare (Mentabie neighbouring property).
Standish
Standish
MS met with a new hay contractor for the mowing, baling and stackig of the hay crops at Mentabie
MS hosted a visit from John McGrath (as a consultant for Inpex) looking at the potential development of AM plantations in Northern Australia.
Chris Oliver CO had an online meeting with Barry Murphy (TRG) to discuss Q1 reports for PTT, STA and FLO
CO permitted entrance by Living Seeds to inspect the status of the Rocktear crops. Living Seeds (through Nutrien) is the main supplier of seed for Rocktear planting activities.
relationsSuppier/Contractor PTT Gypsy SpringsChris Oliver CO and MS met with Andrew Dalglish (Foxalicious Fruits) to discuss reactivation of the Gypsy Workers camp for the 2024 thinning operations
DateEnvironmentSocialGovernance Entity (whererelevant)
PropertyAMA
RepresentativeDetails reference (doument title)
11/06/2024
5/06/2024
Flora and Fauna
4/06/2024Fire management and mitigation Community Fire Protection
3/06/2024Health
1/06/2024
Multiple Chris Oliver AMA were successful in gaining a NT Gov grant to assist in the purchase of a portable sawmill, woodworking machinery and lighting for Stray Creek shed. The sawmill will assist AMA in producing samples and protypes for potential customers and have a greater understanding of the nunances associated with milling Khaya.
MultipleChris Oliver CO and Barry Murphy met with SLR Consulting to discuss natural capital values in the context of the DD propertiesthe opportunities and roadmap going forward.
MentabieMark
Standish MS coordinated and undertook fuel reduction burn along the Jindare/Mentabie boundary, working with community members.
Multiple Chris Oliver Online presentation by ASSA (Advanced Safety Systems Australia Pty Ltd) for a complete online OH&S system.
Chris Oliver Visit by the AMA board to the NT. Field inspections of the DD properties and strategy session.
RepresentativeDetails reference (doument title) 21/05/2024FinancialFLO
Rocktear Chris Oliver CO has been liasing with David Armstrong (Terrabos) potential development of an Overhead Transmission Line along the railway line at Rocktear. CO is maintaining Barry Murphy TRG in the loop.
20/06/2024
19/06/2024Crop
17/06/2024
Flora and Fauna
17/06/2024 relationsSuppier/Contractor
17/06/2024
Flora and Fauna
12/06/2024FinancialSTA
12/06/2024
Kumbyechants Chris
Oliver CO and MS hosted the Australian Forestry Hub managers in the DD. The managers were given a overview of the development of the AM plantations, shown samples of sawn plantation timber and visited
Rocktear Chris
Oliver CO and Andrew Owens (Nutrien) collected hay samples from the 2023-24 hay crops. Information to be used on the Feedcentral site
MultipleChris
Oliver CO held an online meeting with Henry Whittemore (USA) to gain an understanding on how NCV have been developed in the USA.
MultipleChris
Oliver CO and Martin Lusk held an online meeting to discuss the final preparations for the upcoming LiDAR and PGP assessments to be undertaken from mid-July across the PTT/STA/FLO properties.
MultipleChris
Oliver CO held an online meeting with Natalie HickNatural Capital Company to discuss the opportunities for the development of natural capital values on the TRG properties in the DD.
Mentabie Chris
Oliver Chris Oliver received notification re: mineral exploration on Mentabie. Contact has been established with the prospecting company
RocktearChris
Oliver CO attended the NT Farmers/Drought Hub Forage to Farming forum and field day in Katherine.
reference (doument title)
April-June 24 CollaborationIndustryInter/intra-
interaction28/06/2024Community
26/06/2024
26/06/2024
26/06/2024
25/06/2024
25/06/2024
12/06/2024
Oliver period.(FWPA,AFPA,FIANT,NTOVForestryHub)duringthereportingCOattendedvariousindustryon-lineandface-to-facemeetings
Mark Standish MS attended the Douglas Daly Campdraft of which TRG/AMA were sponsors.
Oliver CO met with Peter Torrelle (3RT) to discuss the technology and
Gypsy SpringsChris Oliver CO met with Colin Browne to discuss the soil testing results and design of the Billabong boardwalk/bird hide.
Stray Creek Mark Standish MS met with CDU students and Lindsey Huntley at the KBC Billabong, giving a presentation about AMA operations, natural
Mark Standish MS held discussions with Great Northern Plantations re: community based fire protection and forestry based collaboration.
Oliver CO and Barry Murphy had a presentation from IDEEA discussing natural capital values in the context of the DD properties. IDEEA will provide a brief and quote for developing a NCV roadmap for PTT/STA.
Oliver CO attended the NT Farmers/Drought Hub Forage to Farming forum and field day in Katherine.
reference (doument title)
April-June 24Feral ControlAnimal HuntingRecreational
Multiple Chris Oliver
April-June 24Fire management and mitigation Community Fire Protection All MultipleMark Standish
Registered hunters from Darwin and the local community undertook feral animal control (pigs and buffalo) activities across the estate.
April-June 24
April-June 24
April-June 24
IndustryInter/intrarelationsSuppier/Contractor FLO
IndustryInter/intraRegulatoryGovernment/ All
CollaborationIndustryInter/intrarelationsSuppier/Contractor FLO
Entity (whererelevant)
MS coordinated and undertook roadside burning with the DDVBB and community members
RocktearChris Oliver CO met with various contractors, suppliers and customers to discuss the 2024 hay season, export cattle movements and
MultipleChris Oliver (FWPA,COattendedvariousindustryon-lineandface-to-facemeetings AFPA, FIANT, NTOV Forestry Hub) during the reporting
RocktearChris Oliver CO met with various contractors, suppliers and customers to discuss the 2024 hay season, export cattle movements and demands.
PropertyAMA
RepresentativeDetails reference (doument title)
Stacking of Hay at Whatfor
Visit by Forestry Hub Managers to the Douglas Daly – looking at recently sawn African Mahogany
Roadside verge fuel reduction burns