BATHURST Branch of NSW Farmers will host a presentation, "The nature of drought in Australia/Bathurst", by Dr Robert Baker from the University of New England, at Bathurst RSL.
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The date is Wednesday, January 22 from 7-9pm and all are welcome.
Dr Baker thinks that this drought was predictable and he will discuss his belief in the connection between solar cycles, sunspot activity and weather cycles on earth.
Please come and judge for yourselves.
Tough talk
DECISION time is well and truly with the farming industry and quite a few district producers tell me that they've had enough.
Farm wives who have driven many kilometres for many years to work off-farm are looking at the value of the family farm and the size of the farm debt.
Others tell me that they've lost interest in the wool industry and this comes when the future prospects could not be brighter.
No-one wants to be the person who gave up 48 hours before the 40-year drought broke.
Meanwhile, we only listen to positive people, go on feeding livestock, carting water and showering with a good friend.
OTHER RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:
Send it down
AMONG all the gloomy seasonal predictions for January to Easter 2020, we read a forecast for excellent rain across much of NSW, with widespread falls starting on January 17.
Former Bathurst grazier and grain harvesting contractor Kevin Sinclair has lived in Dubbo for many years and is now retired.
He and his father Bill Sinclair operated their property at The Lagoon and bred cattle and Merino wool cutters.
Kevin's forecasts are based on his long-term rainfall charts and we hope he is correct.
Pulling stumps
THE Bathurst Merino Association-sponsored cricket match/barbecue at Scots All Saints College has been called off due to lack of interest.
Ongoing drought conditions have left the farming community quite flattened and it's now a case of hanging on tight and supporting our friends and neighbours.
Need a hand?
FARM business owners in our district have an opportunity to employ a rural trainee who has experience in sheep and wool operations, cattle preparation and showing, has a statement of attainment for two and four wheel motorbikes and is very keen to gain a traineeship in our district.
She has completed Certificate 2 in Agriculture and wants to progress to Certificate 3.
An employer may qualify for a $4000 government employer subsidy.
Details from Michaela on 0491 270 054 or 6331 2795
Good help
WE should all be proud of the current generation of Aussie farm kids who roll up their sleeves and help mum and dad right through their school holidays.
Local shearers often remark on the ability and willingness of the farm kids who do an adult's job in the woolshed, only talk when spoken to and never question mum or dad's instructions.
Out in the stock yards or the mustering paddocks, the young generation are often as good with livestock as their parents and better than pop as well as being 20 kilometres faster on a motorbike.
The youngsters will certainly be missed when they return to school.
New faces
MY old eyes recognise a person who is doing an obviously good job and they often see Bathurst's mayor and deputy mayor in quiet personal discussions with local people from town and country.
Community members seem to really appreciate this one-on-one contact and a chance to discuss their problems with our civic leaders.
I hope that residents who are organising council candidates for September 12 elections can source community members (both ladies and gentlemen) who are approachable and are good listeners as well.
Perhaps some of the incumbent councillors may gracefully step aside in favour of new faces and new ideas.
New councillors may help Bathurst Regional Council function more smoothly in future; our lovely Bathurst region deserves a council that works well at every level.
Elly's arrival
CONGRATUALTIONS to Jes Seaman and Jake Morrissey on the arrival of their little daughter Elly Louise.
She is a very welcome sister for Darcy, who is going to look after Miss Elly very well.
South shines
THE annual run of weaner calf sales is now in full swing in Victoria and all concerned are pleased with current results.
These sales are always a reliable barometer for the beef outlook in the medium term.
For southern districts that report a very good year there is a lot of confidence in every livestock industry and a friend who is involved in the retail side of the meat trade says: "Producers across a wide area of Victoria that is experiencing a great season say that the climate change story is a hoax. Those who are caught in drought say that this is a climate emergency. Depends on who you yarn with."
Laugh lines
"MY George has the body of a god," she said. "Unfortunately, it's Buddha."
***
THE law was at the door and asked Fred where he was between 6 and 11.
"Easy, constable," Fred said. "I was at Oberon Primary School."
***
OLD Bill was watching a saucy late night movie and the text invited him to phone the actress.
"Hi, big boy, what can I do for you?" she murmured.
"Could you hide somewhere or get off the screen now," Bill gasped. "The missus will be home from work any time and I've lost the damn remote to turn you off."
