The Farmer magazine is a series of well-researched articles and discussing many day-to-day happenings as they relate to farm life.

In its own way, the magazine provides some company to lots of farm operators who spend much of their time working alone.

The magazine itself is probably a sound reason for being a paid up member of NSW Farmers.

FOR the landholders who don’t receive the e-edition of the Central Tablelands Local Land Services newsletter, several important matters are covered:

LANDHOLDERS who want to order and use 1080/Pindone baits must hold current accreditation to collect these products from LLS. Central Tablelands.

LLS holds a free accreditation course at the Bathurst premises on the first Tuesday of each month and bookings must be made on 6333 2300.

PRODUCERS who are having problems accessing the Rural Assistance Authority drought transport forms online can access these forms at your local LLS office.

Staff will access the forms but are not able to fill them in for you.

To attend the LLS office and access the forms please bring:

GREG and Christine Healey were pleased with their annual Mount Bathurst poll dorset ram auction at Black Springs last week.

The sale topped at $1050 three times and averaged $865.

There are always some rams available year-round at affordable prices.

OUR 60th wedding anniversary congratulations to Del and Paul Glazebrook of “Booloominbah” at Perthville and Marie and Clyde Shields, formerly of Burraga and now in Bathurst.

Hats off to each popular couple who continue to do their bit for our community.

STORMY rain that fell last weekend has freshened pastures and given a boost to lucerne stands and fodder crops in areas where it fell.

Reports of up to 30mm give hopes of better times and good rains are forecast for mid-week (before you read this column).

We are approaching bushfire season and must be careful on our own land and always think of risks to our neighbouring properties.

Welders, angle grinders and rotary slashers must not be used in the open when dry conditions prevail.

Care should be taken with the use of vehicles and motorbikes in the few areas where there is long, dry grass.

LIVESTOCK dealers have made some purchases at the first sign of a seasonal break and nice mobs of merino wethers and black steers have arrived onto fodder crops.

Buyers are being extra careful of sheep lice and footrot as these problems are hard to detect in dry weather.

The annual Victorian first cross ewe sales have started with the best young breeders breaking the $300 barrier.

In several major sales every ewe is advertised as Gudair-vaccinated and many of the feature lines are mulesed.

Producers who destocked early will find a hefty restocking cost.

THIS Sunday at noon there will be an opportunity for farming families to enjoy a free lunch and to support other families when members of the Panorama Motorcycle Club a barbecue at Bathurst Showground.

The club is providing the lunch as their expression of support for district farm families and will give a warm welcome.

Funds for the event came from the club’s annual Geoff Martin Memorial Run and live music and a jumping castle for the youngsters will be provided.

Farmers and their families are asked to simply rock up at noon and bring a chair.

THE wool market started the week at a similar levels to last week as buyers rewarded low VM wools with favourable measurements with a premium price.

However, the positive tone could not be sustained on the second sale day as losses of around 20-40c/kg were seen in all merino types.

The northern market ended the week on 1891c/kg, down 23c/kg.

The merino carding market saw big falls again, losing another 98c/kg to end the week on 1045c/kg.

Fine crossbred wools also lost ground while the broader types were down around 15c/kg.

Next week will see 35,696 bales on offer nationwide with just 8900 of them coming from the northern market.

Mark Horsburgh, TWG Landmark

THE lady was being fussy at the supermarket and complained about the frozen turkeys.

“Don’t these get any bigger?” she asked.

The young assistant whispered: “Not really, madam. They’re dead, you know.”

***

TWO university students were looking for work at the visiting circus.

The work involved lions and the tamer warned them that a fierce lion caused the last staff to leave.

The pretty girl student entered the cage in a red bikini and the fierce lion licked her shoulders and knees and lay at her feet.

The tamer asked the male student: “Let’s see if you can top that, sonny.”

The young bloke said: “I reckon I can if you get that lion out of the pen.”