Junior wool and sheep judging competitions are included as first-time events and ribbons will be presented.

A thought for this year: when Burraga Ag Bureau staged its first sheep show, Leon Booth was probably still in a pram.

AMONG the worries of a sharp fall in wool auctions, there is some comfort.

Premiums for certified unmulesed or ceased mulesing certification are quoted as up to 200c/kg clean and this was very obvious with a local 18m, 75ml, seven-month fleece offering that sold for 1475c.

Premiums for unmulesed merino fleece have been tiny, but early spring sales are showing definite rewards.

We hope that the extra chemicals being used for fly control don't cause future problems, but the wrinkle free SRS types have come to the fore in spring 2019.

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IF we think that our tablelands look as though they have been sprayed with Roundup, we should drive around Bathurst's residential streets and see the condition of roadside lawns and most of our parks.

Better times must surely lie ahead, but each of us must not waste one drop of water. They seem to have ceased making it.

FARMERS from across our area are dismayed to see the appearance of non-existent pastures and failing fodder crops.

After many spring seasons that don't happen, producers don't need advice on sourcing stock feed or water as this is once again a time to curse, make the decisions that we don't want to make and struggle on towards Jerusalem.

THE wool auction market slump has changed the outlook of sheep breeders and very few $180 merino wethers will be kept on farm.

Because of this changed outlook, the dual-purpose merinos will remain in the spotlight and a workshop at Bella Lana Stud at Dripstone should give attendees plenty to think about.

This event will be held next Thursday, September 5 on-property from 9am to 2pm and will feature respected ag consultant Jason Trompf.

Comments are often heard that the Bella Lana polls are the best dual-purpose merinos in NSW - rich in Wallaloo Park blood and white in the wool.

RSVP is essential. Visit Bellalana.com.au or call 6846 7477 by September 2.

AS I write this for my 78th birthday, it's the right time to send a cheerio call to old friends who are hospitalised at present in Bathurst Base and Dudley Orange; no names, but your friends send their best wishes.

THE tributes that have been paid to former deputy prime minister and Nationals leader Tim Fischer are reminders of how a really genuine man has contributed to his country.

In the foreground of several news film items we noticed former Evans Shire president Trevor Toole as a young man talking with Tim Fischer.

Also noted is the death of former Bathurst mayor John Matthews, who was arguably our greatest mayor.

I had the privilege of serving a term on Bathurst City Council in the 1970s when John was at the helm for part of that period.

He was followed by another popular mayor, Les Wardman.

THERE are a few important days ahead.

The Millah Murrah Angus Bull sale will be held at Duramana on September 5 with a 1pm auction; September 6 features the Karoo Angus Bull Sale at Meadow Flat.

Wednesday, September 11 will see the annual auction of merino rams at Winyar Canowindra and September 12 is Kildara Glen's auction of Australian Whites, Poll Dorset and Border Leicester rams at Bathurst Showground.

Quality of breeding sires at each of these auctions is always right up to the mark and buyers will not miss the opportunity to source the stud animals that will influence their businesses for the years ahead.

We can add a group of beef, wool and prime lamb studs to the above list and realise that the stud animals bred in our Central Tablelands are of equal quality to the best that our nation has to offer.

ANOTHER week of price falls saw the Northern Market Indicator finish the week on 1521c/kg, down another 17c/kg.

Fine and superfine merino types lost around 45c/kg and the broader types lost around 28c/kg.

Crossbred wools bucked the trend and gained a few cents.

Merino cardings took the biggest hit of the week, losing 98c/kg, and are now trading at 895c/kg, down from a high of 12 months ago of around 1500c/kg.

Buyers are saying they are still doing very little business with the confidence completely taken out of the market by the trade war between the US and China and the constant chatter about a global economic downturn.

Next week will see 33,046 bales on offer nationwide.

Old George woke at 11pm to a knock on his motel door.

"Oh, sorry sir, wrong room," a pretty young redhead gasped.

George blinked. "Oh, right room, love, but 35 years too late," he said.

***

THE little lady, who was in her 70s, told a friend that the local grocer had been in her room.

"Your eyesight is failing, love; that was your doctor," the friend said.

The little lady blushed. "Oh dear," she muttered, "I thought the grocer was being a bit familiar."

***

SPARE a thought for Paddy, who streaked through a nudist colony.