DON'T forget to spend a couple of hours at this Saturday's country events at Bathurst Showground between 10am and 3pm.
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For those who just want to look at sheep, this is just the venue for you.
Junior sheep judging will interest the young generation and most of the spectators come to see the working dog demos and auction.
There are 10 auction dogs and pups advertised on the Colonsay Stud Facebook page and videos of adult dogs at work can be viewed.
Look for the Bathurst Merino Association Ram Expo and Dog auction links and have a look at the demonstration.
The majority of BMA members seem happy to look at sheep and wool and not go too far into strategic plans, business or financial improvements or personal development.
Complaints are often made that the format and structure of annual ewe competitions haven't changed one iota in 30 years, but the caravan rolls on and just looking at sheep seems to suit the majority.
Counting cost
RECENT corrections in prime lamb markets have taken $20 to $30 off most lamb prices but a quoted value of around 800c/kg dressed weight will still give excellent returns.
Prices that actually hit $10/kg have probably caused a lot of family shoppers to bypass lamb products because they are "too dear for us".
A chocolate bar, jar of coffee beans or a bag of chips are all much dearer than prime lamb on a per kilo basis, but some are more tempting than others.
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Market movement
FORTHCOMING sales of major rural holdings close to Bathurst include Linden Park at Caloola and Dunns Plains at Triangle Flat, and each of these holdings has a rich history.
The sale of these properties should set a benchmark for the tablelands as Dunns Plains must be at our district's forefront for soil type and average rainfall.
I believe that these two properties are best suited to sheep production: one for premium wool and meat production, the other as a specialist prime lamb operation.
No doubt, new owners will look at beef production as part of future plans.
A country man
THE recent passing of Horace White of "Valeview", White Rock revived memories of a community-minded country man whose extended family members are well-known and highly respected.
Horace and his wife Josie raised their family in Bathurst and their rural connections involved the Mount David and White Rock areas.
Horace will be greatly missed by his many friends and former workmates.
Show you care
RICHARD Stephens of Lithgow/Oberon Landcare provides details of a series of council workshops asking people what they want from Landcare, and future plans for Landcare.
Workshop details:
- Portland, Coronation Hotel, Tuesday, August 13, 2-4pm.
- Tarana, Tarana Hotel, Wednesday, August 21, 5.30-7.30pm.
- Hampton, Halfway Hotel, Thursday, August 29, 5.30-7.30pm.
- Oberon, Oberon RSL Club, Wednesday, September 4, 5.30-7.30pm.
- Lithgow, Secret Creek Cafe, 35 Crane Road, Tuesday, September 10, 5.30-7.30pm.
Online survey forms are accessible: www.haveyoursay.lithgow.com/landcareplan.
To register for a workshop, phone Richard Stephens on 6354 9999 or email council@lithgow.nsw.gov.au
A cup of coffee and a few party pies will be provided after each workshop.
Talking change
"THE risks and rewards of a changing climate" is the theme for an all-day seminar at Orange Ex-Servicemen's Club on Tuesday, September 10 from 8am-7pm.
A spokesman for the organisers said "more and more farmers are getting worried and they can't ignore what is happening".
Cost for the day is $60 per person. Register at www.farmersforclimateaction.org.au/event.
Still waiting
IT has been accepted for generations that the best prospects for drought-breaking rains are often right at the turn of the seasons.
On our lovely Central Tablelands we see the first couple of weeks in August as the very first change from winter to spring and this year isn't showing much sign of flooding rains at this stage.
The fabled signs of running springs, ant colonies being built, new moon appearing to lie on its back; none of these signs have changed the weather patterns.
Commonsense tells us that spring 2019 will be decision time for a lot of country families as this current drought drags on.
In one corner we have rural land values still at close to their peak and this gives owners an opportunity to realise their asset and move on.
In the red corner we see bright prospects for most primary produce and a real incentive to carry on the business.
Family must come first in the current climate. Many will envy the farm family that leaves the industry, while others will decide to wait for the Golden Years.
Diary dates
- Monday, September 2: Classings Classic Ram auction, Murray Bridge, SA; 80 elite rams.
- Tuesday, September 3: Fifty studs undercover. Lots of trade exhibits. A great day out for merino breeders. Gates open at 10am at Harden Showground.
- For the young at heart, please don't miss The Lion King at Metro Cinemas. This grandpa enjoyed it as much as the grandkids.
Laugh lines
THE old farmer was marrying a 25-year-old.
"You're 77 now, Pop, and these things can sometimes be fatal," the doctor cautioned him.
"Oh well, doc," Pop said, "it may be fate. If she dies, she dies."
***
A NEW managing director took a shine to the cute office manager, took her to a classy Thai restaurant, the theatre, and on to a luxury hotel.
After brekkie in the room, he offered to drive her home in his Bimmer.
"You are so kind," she blushed. "Most of the salesmen give me $100 and put me in an Uber."
