MANY parts of our district received useful rain in storms last Friday/Saturday, with native summer grasses producing useful green pick in areas that measured 20 to 30 millimetres or more.
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A snapshot of our rural industries in late January 2020:
- Lots of videos of country kids splashing in mud in towns and on farms.
- Lots of farmers across the state wondering why there was only dust at their place.
- Healthy rises in wool, lamb, mutton and beef prices since the new year.
- Reports that about 30,000 sheep died in the Kangaroo Island bushfire.
- An adult daughter in north-east Victoria said: "Mum, don't let 70-year-old Dad go across the river; there are sheep and cattle everywhere that are dead or burned."
- Two major beef processors in western Victoria don't have space on the bullock chain until late March.
- This may be a good week to pray for rain as the wind is from the north. An Irish priest once told me: "Never pray for rain when the wind is in the south."
- Some grazing oats has already been sown on 25mm of rain.
Make it quick
IN the wake of the horrible bushfires that have caused so much heartache, there is much concern at the slowness in getting real cash into the hands of people who need it desperately.
The Federal Government's response to the tragedy was tardy at first, but lots of assistance grants have now been announced.
The Rural Assistance Authority, local councils, CWA, Department of Primary Industries and the charity providers such as Vinnies and the Salvation Army are all helping, but the first ports of call should be Andrew Gee or Paul Toole's local offices.
The staff at these offices will give quality advice.
OTHER RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:
The fab four
BIRTHDAY wishes to four of Bathurst's notable sons.
Jerome Carberry, Bruce Seaman, Tony Toole and Tony Turnbull have been blowing out candles in recent weeks and I'm told that this quartet has a combined total of 318 years of lifetime experience.
No one would volunteer to mouthe these gentlemen so their ages are guesswork.
Good innings
THE recent passing of former Oberon resident Lionel Cunynghame revives memories of a talented cricketer who represented his town in teams that contained Ron Burton, Hodge Evans, Don Elwin and the Schrader brothers.
Lionel was always a quiet gentleman and a real sportsman.
Think about it
THERE have been a lot of comments on the likely candidates for September's council elections in Blayney, Oberon and Bathurst.
The usual motivation seems to be "I think I could do a better job than some present councillors" and that may be true in some instances.
Before a candidate signs the nomination form, they should realise that these jobs take lots of time and dedication and phone calls will probably come on a seven-day-a-week basis and at all hours.
The councillors who represent all of us deserve much credit for their work for the common good.
Aussie as
LOTS of organisations have plans for Australia Day and the management and staff at the Perthville Store and Servo are certainly doing their bit.
They are donating an all-day barbecue at the shop front to raise funds for the Perthville/Georges Plains RFS and all proceeds will go straight to the local brigade.
Sri and Shiva would love to see you on our national day, and no-one will mind if you donate an extra dollar or two to help the hard-working local firies.
Electric dream
MOTORCYCLE manufacturer CFMOTO launched its fully electric quad bike at a concept show in Milan, Italy last month.
This machine will change many facets of the work and play segment of the market with smartphone integration that brings GPS, custom displays, tracking aids and phone calls through the bike's design.
Add zero emissions to the machine's ability and we get a glimpse of the farm bike future.
Wool report
THE wool market had a positive start to 2020 with all micron categories gaining significant ground.
The superfine merinos gained around 117c/kg, the fine wools around 100c/kg and the medium to broad merinos around 90c/kg.
The fine crossbred wools gained around 15c/kg, with all other crossbred wools being firm on the pre-Christmas market.
Buyers are saying that good business was done over the weekend, but with 59,890 bales on offer next week, the market will be put under some pressure.
Mark Horsburgh, TWG Landmark
Laugh lines
GEORGE and his wife always hold hands in the shops. "If I let go, she'll buy something," George says.
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THE old shearer was arrested for exposure. "The girl at the checkout said 'strip down, facing me'," he told the law. "I didn't know she meant the credit card."
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A SURVEY asked 1000 young female office workers: "What would you do if you were a young man for a day?"
Of the 1000, 938 of them answered: "Get a pay rise."
