outback information

While there are many differences between agriculture in various parts of the planet, many of the fundamental values and problems are shared by farmers worldwide. In some respects it could be argued that farmers and graziers worldwide have more in common with each other than they have with city residents in their own country.

Australia is the oldest and driest continent on earth and as a result it is the most urbanised country on earth. The majority of the population is concentrated around the coastal fringes where the rainfall is higher or more reliable and soils are better quality. The largest cattle stations in the world are found in central and northern Australia. While Australia no longer 'rides on the sheep's back' and is not as dependent on rural exports as it once was, rural exports are still an indispensable contributor to Australia's export income.

Anyone who doubts this needs only to note the correlation between graphs of the balance of trade figures and rainfall graphs during an El Niño period. (A particular weather pattern that causes widespread drought in Australia and flooding rain in western South American countries, the opposite of La Niña, which increases the possibility of average rainfall or even floods here. The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] has a very detailed explanation of El Niño and La Niña.)

• Horses, mustering & horse sports – Brief history of horses in Australia, stock horse breeding, outback health issues, station work and rural horse sports, horse-related organisations and sources of information.
• Bronco branding – Brief history and sources of information regarding bronco branding.
• Australian camels – Links to sources of information on Australian wild camels and the Australian camel industry.
• Sheep – Links to information on Sheep in Australia.
• Cattle, land & climate information – Australian cattle breeds, outback landscape & weather, buying cattle stations, rural organisations and other information sources.
• Helicopter & fixed wing mustering – Australian helicopter mustering history in brief, and how helicopters & fixed wing aircraft are used on stations at present.
• Windmills, bores & artesian water – Brief history of bores and windmills in Australia, links to windmill manufacturers, artesian water summary and information sources.
• Maps of inland Australia – Information & links re. topographic, road and station maps.
• Rural employment – The sorts of jobs available in the bush, what is required, and how to find rural employment positions & pastoral company links. Voluntary work & rural charity information & links.