Mr Morrison spent time with the national drought committee and with some representatives of the farming community.

We can only hope that this added funding will be spent in areas that give support to small business that provide jobs for the community members who are hardest hit by the extended drought and awful bushfires.

TEAMS of your merino ewes are being assembled for the 2020 Ewe Competition on Friday, March 6.

This event is always a social day as spectators travel across parts of the Bathurst district and sightseeing is often more interesting than simply "looking at sheep".

When the Bathurst Merino Association (BMA) was formed in the early 1990s, the very first ewe competition was mirrored on a similar event that Monaro Merino Association had run successfully for some years.

Their competition pamphlet was used as a guide for Bathurst. The Cooma sheep and wool officer at the time was John (Joe) Cahill and he probably had a lot of input into the planning.

After almost 30 years, the BMA Competition booklet is virtually unchanged.

OTHER RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:

Call for entries for maiden ewe competition

Mud, dust, bushfires, prices rises and prayers

Baker will give some ideas to chew over

AUSTRALIA Day honours in our district went to Monica Morse, Don Grant and Ian Donges and these honours are well-deserved for many years of virtually voluntary work for the common good.

In Ian Donges' instance, we have crossed paths in NSW Farmers (he was president), LHPA State Council, Local Land Services and NSW Game Council. He has done more than his share for country NSW.

The Jo Ross Memorial Trophy that is announced each Australia Day was this year awarded to the Inwood Family of "Toulon", Glanmire, recognising their commitment to the environmental care of their rural property.

Michael and Therese, their five children and parents Elizabeth and Jim are each involved in the planning of "Toulon" and the family deserve much praise for their efforts.

Thanks are also due to David McKay and his small team who are keeping the Bathurst Farmers branch active when many of its members are feeling battered; to Warwick Larnach and the BMA Committee who try so hard to retain interest in the merino industry in our district; and perhaps I should also thank local identities Barry Mawhood and John McAndrew who assure me that they've read every column of Rural Notebook for 28 years.

THE recent death of Wal Jones, formerly of Rockley and Perthville, brought back memories of a long-time worker in the wool industry.

Wal was a giant of a man with a big heart and a big grin and he proudly wore his nickname "The Pale Whale".

He will certainly be missed by all who knew him.

SINCERE sympathy is also offered to Bowyer and Livermore principal Todd Clements on the passing of his father Colin Robert Clements.

Mr Clements was well-known across our Tablelands and he will be missed by his many friends.

PRICE premiums for unmulesed merino wool are now established and many breeders are probably making plans for future bloodline strategies.

If we accept that the fly control products that have worked so well for decades may not work for much longer, then we realise the problems that can occur with heavy, thick-skinned sheep.

The future looks bright for wrinkle-free merinos, Dorpers and Aussie whites. Results of wether trials will also be confusing.

I'M told that the Perthville Neighbourhood Group is planning another bush poetry, Aussie ballads and yarn telling night in the very near future.

This will be advertised and early bookings are advisable.

Please keep an eye on Facebook and two ears on 2BS Radio.

APOLOGIES if this column seems a bit out of date as I'm writing it on Saturday because of many commitments during the next few days.

Our season is trying to revive and we're all noticing the humidity and heavy morning dews.

UNCERTAINTY prevailed in the wool market this week as the Chinese textile sector was affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Price falls occurred at all three centres as the sales opened with high withdrawal and pass-in rates.

The reduced offering due to high withdrawal rates did create some better competition on the second day of selling, with all centres seeing some improvement.

The Northern Market Indicator finished the week on 1578c/kg, down 40c/kg.

Where the market goes from here is a bit of a lottery as buyers have no idea what their limits will be next week as the virus continues to spread.

A lot of workers who were on holidays over the Chinese new year have been kept away from work due to the virus and if this spreads into the textile sector, mills may be forced to shut and this will cause even more uncertainty.

Next week will see 35,849 bales on offer nationwide.

THE happy couple were with the doctor.

After checking the wife, the doctor said: "I'm sorry to tell you, sir, but your wife has almost completely lost her mind."

Hubby wasn't surprised. "Well, she says she's been giving me a piece of her mind for the last 42 years," he said.

***

NO man is quite as clever as his mother thinks he is, while no man is quite as dumb as his mother-in-law thinks he is.

**

"The male brain is like an old jail," she said. "There aren't enough cells per man."