Indigenous-owned cattle company KAPCO (Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company) recently launched its line of beef in Fitzroy Crossing.

KAPCO chair Wayne Bergmann said the company is "extremely proud" of its achievements having come "from humble beginnings".

Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company, established in 2015, started operations with approximately 5,000 head of cattle and know has a herd of 40,000.

"We focused first on building our infrastructure, water and fencing and genetic quality of our cattle. We have had some very tough times with low rainfall, low cattle prices and COVID. These challenges only made us stronger," he said.

"We are proud of the belief Indigenous Business Australia, the Commonwealth Bank and Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation had in us, and the risk they took to back us against the odds. We are in a stronger position because of this support and commitment to local regional business. We are an agriculture business that is 100 per cent Indigenous-owned and managed.

"This is 140 years in the making. Our ancestors worked in the pastoral industry for flour and tobacco, and it has been an intergenerational endeavour to develop this enterprise from the ground up to what it is today. Supporting its success is the future potential and we dream of KAPCO Beef being the beef of choice for all. This is over a century in the making – and over a century of aspirations of many Aboriginal leaders."

Mr Bergmann, who is a co-owner of National Indigenous Times, said KAPCO is "very proud to have such a strong Indigenous team and management and staff who... have been able to achieve this through thick and thin".

"KAPCO has survived the challenges, the peaks and troughs of the pastoral industry and the ebbs and flows of the market. Our Directors are Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and manage," he said.

"Now, we have gone from exclusively a primary producer to producing from paddock to plate, and today, we have launched a line of box meat."

Mr Bergmann noted that the meat is halal certified and registered for exports.

"Our partnership with Rum Jungle abattoir has made this possible, the quality control and professionalism of the team at Rum Jungle is second to none," he said.

"What we have done is brought a line of cattle grown and managed in the Kimberley on grass and nature pasture and transported and processed and boxed ourselves, and we are selling it in the local community owned IGA in Fitzroy Crossing, and serving it in the restaurants at the Fitzroy River Lodge.

"This run of cattle has been grass fed on Bohemia Downs station, and it is a testament to Indigenous pastoral management, the KAPCO team, that quality we have been able to achieve. Despite the challenges, it has been an incredible journey.

"One of the challenges has been the cost and efficiencies of slaughtering cattle, and it worked out more effective to truck our stock to the Northern Territory and bring it back in boxes to sell in the Kimberley. We have done this off our own back, it would have been better if there was greater support for pastoral stations to produce locally and supply locally as we make a great social impact on our local communities."

Mr Bergmann said KAPCO's Indigenous employment rate of more than 70 per cent Aboriginal workers has been "no small achievement".

"We have a very hands-on crew and to produce a high quality local product," he said.

Mr Bergmann said the tasting test last week had been a big hit with the locals and visitor and local trades people.

"One person came up to me and said that he'd been travelling through Japan on holidays, and that it (KAPCO Beef) was as good as any of the wagyu in Japan he has tasted," he said.

"Now the biggest challenge is to make sure we have a steady market. We are strong believers in making our own way and standing on our own feet. We are seeking support from supermarkets and supply chains who want a high-quality beef product, believe in the social impact of our business, believe in the employment of local people, and the supply of quality meat at affordable prices.

"First contact in our region happened in the 1880s and Aboriginal people have been the backbone of the pastoral industry here since then. We are proud to have moved to the next level and of being able to manage our cattle right through the supply chain at the highest possible standard.

"And if you want to taste it in a restaurant, they're being served in the restaurants of the Fitzroy River Lodge, it's a must for anyone passing through."