As our season refuses to break, we can see why so many light cattle and sheep are being sent to saleyards as the prospect of hand-feeding through yet another winter may be looming.

Most properties have lightened stocking rates considerably and the 10 dse/ha rule of thumb is now a very distant memory.

Please discuss your plans with your trusted agent as the gap between animals suitable for the meat trade and skinny animals is huge.

To stay positive, the Norwegian weather site is predicting several light to moderate rainfalls during the next week or so, and we have to start somewhere.

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REPRESENTATIVES of Vale Creek Landcare have taken their concerns to the Western Advocate and their requests for further discussion with Bathurst Regional Council are genuine.

Flood mitigation plans have been set in place for some years and the levee banks will be built according to those plans.

Members of the Landcare group are concerned that floodwaters will not clear the village area quickly as the creek bed is choked with sand and plant growth.

The village of Georges Plains is in a similar position.

Apparently, Bathurst Regional Council can’t clear the watercourse due to environmental issues.

This may be a great project for councillors Jess Jennings and John Fry, who are both vitally interested in environmental matters and have track records for trying to assist local residents.

THE bush poetry and music night at the Perthville Hall was a great success.

It was standing room only for late-comers and I’m told the audience really appreciated every presenter.

The local neighbourhood group and MC John Trollor should take a bow for putting together a novel event that was so well-received.

Unfortunately, we were away on the South Coast, but the comment that I liked was “what a great night with lots of Bathurst people and we didn’t have to go to a pub”.

THE Blayney to Bathurst Cycling Classic will be held this Sunday and traffic will be disrupted on some roads to the south of Bathurst for several hours.

Bathurst Regional Council has been diligent in keeping affected residents informed of road closure times and we can enjoy the spectacle of a great event and simply put up with the half day of inconvenience.

FORMER Wesfarmers Dalgety manager Paul Chapman has provided a couple of insights into our country’s major droughts that have occurred since white settlement.

From the Armidale Express of Friday, June 27, 1902: In January/February 1791, birds dropped dead from trees, stream of water supplying Sydney almost exhausted. A long drought in 1807, 1809, 1812, 1813, 1814; Extreme drought 1824,5,6,7. Stuart says (March 1829 expedition) I saw rivers cease to flow and sheets of water disappear. Later years 1873-1882 were severe drought years with 1881 being disastrous. Great rains finally fell from 9th April 1889 with tremendous rains again in May 1889 ending the disastrous drought cycle. A run of 7 good seasons followed.

Thank you, Paul, for some history of the major droughts that have been a feature of life “down where the Trade Winds blow”. Our great drought-breaking rains will surely come if we can live long enough.

OUR state election is almost upon us and predicting a winner is a mug’s game as the one issue that has caused debate is the future of Allianz Stadium.

On the local scene, the campaign from the two major parties has been a credit to each party and their candidate as policies have been debated.

A hard-working local member, Paul Toole, and a respected Labor candidate, Beau Riley, have each explained their plans and ideas for the Bathurst electorate in a manner that is appreciated.

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate didn’t find a really contentious issue to cause debate, but his campaign has been sound and centred on reality.

THE wool market was easier for the second straight week with all merino types losing ground.

The medium to fine wools lost around 5c/kg, while the broader types lost around 15 to 20c/kg.

The crossbred wools continued their rise, gaining around 15c/kg. The Northern Market Indicator finished the week on 2058c/kg, down 5c/kg.

Next week will see 41,722 bales on offer nationwide.

THINGS have really tightened since the Banking Royal Commission. I’m told that even the customers who don’t pay have stopped buying.

***

I'M told that a man can calculate a woman’s age by the number of rings on her fingers.

***

GEORGE was enjoying the party when he wrapped his arms around a considerable lady.

“So sorry,” he said, “I thought you were my dear wife."

“As if I’d be married to a bald-headed, drunken slob like you," the lady shouted. 

“Not only do you look like her," George said as he backed away, "you darned well sound like her too."