A short feed is developing gradually for sheep, while harder country or paddocks that are flogged will need regular spring rain to let them improve slowly.

Paddocks that were destocked or very lightly stocked have responded quickly and sown Moby barley paddocks could make silage or hay by late October.

Present conditions in our district may be just a flash in the pan as areas to our near west are still deep in drought and long-range forecasts are less than hopeful.

So we appreciate the changed conditions, don’t ease up on the hand-feeding of livestock, and use the prayer beads at every opportunity.

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THE gradual change of conditions brings the immediate need for producers to be wary of grass tetany in cattle and barber’s pole worm in sheep flocks.

If we decide to drench flocks, it is imperative to use a drench product that includes Levamisole as barber’s pole worm problems can escalate rapidly in warm, moist conditions and severe losses can occur.

Please be vigilant for signs of anaemia in your sheep at present as losses can be heart-breaking after battling through some awful conditions.

STUD Angus sales in our district have brought good results at this stage with Karoo and Millah Murrah achieving pleasing top and sale average prices, despite tough pastoral conditions.

The majority of cattle breeders are very positive for the future and are aiming to be on the front foot when the season turns.

Glengowan Angus and Winyar Merinos should be pleased with their sales results this week as return clients give a solid base to these respected studs.

I RAISE my hat to local earthmover and plumber Paul Seaman as his skills as an underground water diviner were recently put to the test.

He selected sites on two properties which are about six kilometres apart and his predictions were spot on for depth and quantity on the first bore (24m deep and 500gph); and quantity 200gph but 40m depth (10 extra metres) on the second.

This is a great result from a hobby water diviner and has made six young Aussie kids fans for life.

RECENT deaths of highly regarded citizens of our community include Isobel Johns, long-time office bearer of Trunkey Creek Show Society; Don Myers, Duramana farmer and stalwart of Bathurst Bowls Club; John Tobin, Limekilns grazier, quality tennis player and trotting identity; and John Manning, former manager of Bathurst Swimming Pool, and a regular contributor to Rural Notebook.

Sincere sympathy to all their families.

WELCOME to Archie Booth, who is a little son for Monique Ryan and Damian Booth. The young bloke is a grandson for Perthville’s John Ryan and a great-grandson for Georges Plains’ Mark and June Ryan.

A MATE took me to the South West Slopes Merino Field Day at Harden Showground last week and the venue and the crowd were both great.

Lots of trade displays and involvement from semi-government bodies put a shine on the event and attendances are usually around the 1000 mark.

The exhibitors are strictly stud only and pay $1000 each for the privilege of displaying their rams.

It’s quite obvious that the majority of studs breed much plainer sheep than previously with bold crimping, long-stapled wools on wrinkle-free bodies.

We were particularly impressed by the display of Wanganella and Kerin Poll sheep with the KP rams showing a darker wool tip and excellent handle.

MANY thanks to Bathurst Regional Council for the contractor for the road patching that was done in the vicinity of the Perthville Hall where the lovely village fair was held last Saturday.

Parts of the streets on the eastern side of the Vale Creek have resembled a war zone as the drought tries to break and the council crews did their very best to make the street crossings usable.

Meanwhile, congratulations to all involved with the fair presentation being right up to its usual high standard.

THE loss of the state seat of Wagga is a reminder of the feelings of country voters as both federal and state elections draw near.

The independent who polled so well in Wagga is a popular surgeon in that area and it seems that high profile independents would poll well in many NSW state electorates.

A federal Nationals leader who has a good rapport with country people can have a strong influence on the voting intentions of people in state electorates.

THE wool market had another strong week with all categories gaining ground.

Merino wools gained between 20c and 30c/kg, while the crossbred wools gained around 5c/kg.

The northern market indicator finished the week on 2153c/kg, up 8c/kg.

Even though we are seeing some fluctuations in the market, demand is strong and supply is slipping, so this augurs for a strong market going forward.

Next week will see 34,582 bales on offer nationwide.

THE London branch of the Clairvoyant Society has cancelled its regular meeting this month due to unforeseen circumstances.

***

“I should have married the Devil. He’d have been a better husband than you,” she shouted at him at the breakfast table.

“In this country, it’s illegal to marry a relative,” hubby yelled back.

***

FOUR little kids lived in the same street and played in the rain and the mud. They took off all their wet clothes and raced around the park.

When mum came home, they were scolded and asked why this had happened.

Little one answered: “But Mummy, I didn’t realise that Protestants and Catholics were so different until today.”