The region's rural industry is mainly based on pastoralism with over seventy pastoral properties, mostly owner managed. Some of these properties are Aboriginal owned and managed. British breeds like Herefords and Shorthorns are the predominant breeds in Southern Australia and also in the Alice Springs region. Brahman breeds of cattle predominate in the tropical areas of Australia and Asia and are more common in the northern part of the region.
Water is obtained from underground bores and dams.
There is a lower cost of production as cattle are easily mustered by being trapped when they come to a watering point. In this cattle production system chemicals and drugs are rarely used. There is a small domestic abattoir in the region. There is also a developing interest in camel harvesting from the wild and in keeping controlled herds for both meat and live animal trades. Horticulture is a viable and growing industry based largely on table grapes, but also includes other crops such as asparagus, figs and dates.