Several varieties of phalaris, cocksfoot and perennial rye grass showed why they are a must in tablelands pastures; plantain is obviously very palatable to grazing sheep; but the almost total failure of sub-clover plants was surprising.

Sub-clovers are enjoying one of their best winters in many parts of our district and their failure to establish in well limed trial strips is a mystery.

Many thanks to Peter and Kaye Moore, Clare Edwards and Lithgow Landcare for establishing these important trials.

THE month of June was a bit drier than normal.

Regular falls during late winter and early spring will be welcome and warmer days could bring the type of run-offs to fill major water storages.

Red meat markets should remain sound as African Swine Fever has decimated pig populations in many countries and caused a serious fall in meat protein supplies across the globe.

Red meat prices have already reached their peak and suppliers are hopeful that markets will stabilise at close to recent levels.

RECENT discussions have raised questions on the ongoing use of Gudair vaccine in tablelands sheep flocks.

Two decades have passed since opponents stood aside and the Rolls Royce of animal vaccine was imported.

It has exceeded our wildest dreams and made OJD just an unpleasant memory.

Some merino breeders don't vaccinate wether lambs as they are sold into the meat trade, but all ewe lambs should be treated as this disease will flare up again if given a chance.

FOR those who like a really good read of a current affairs nature, Aaron Patrick's The Surprise Party is well researched and very well written as it outlines how the Morrison/McCormack Coalition went from chaos to comeback.

Aaron is a senior columnist with the Financial Review and his tale is apolitical but detailed as it walks us through two state elections, Wentworth and Longman by-elections, the fall of Malcolm Turnbull and rise of Scott Morison.

The lasses at Books Plus will find you a copy for about $30 and I know you'll enjoy it.

AS I write on Sunday night, it seems that the former lady mayor of Bega has won the Eden-Monaro by-election for the Labor Party after a well-conducted campaign by all involved.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese was active in the campaign and he gives a fresh look to his party.

The electorate certainly lived up to its reputation for being a knife-edge seat and it's surprising to read that at least 40 per cent of electors voted pre-poll.

LOTS of comments are being made at the pay increases that Bathurst Regional councillors have supported at a time when many small businesses and their employees are braced for a serious downturn.

Having been involved in several public bodies in past years, I know how these positions take away a lot of business and family time, but no one seeks these elected tasks for the money, surely.

To put a value on a councillor's efforts, is the person virtually on-call and on the phone seven days a week?

Mayors and councillors give good value for money, but I think a mandatory two-year term program for every elected councillor would ensure new ideas and new faces on a regular basis.

LAST week's wool sales saw small gains of around 8c/kg in most wool types, except for the ultrafine merinos, which lost around 5c/kg.

The Northern Market Indicator finished the week on 1159c/kg, down 1c/kg.

Next week, being the last sale for this wool season, will see 36,712 bales on offer.

Most are predicting a firm market as buyers will be looking to be finishing off orders for the season before the three-week midyear recess.

SOME wisdom:

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GEORGE was in hospital and his long-suffering little wife phoned.

She asked for info and was told: "I'm so sorry, your husband isn't looking good."

"Oh, I'm used to that, dear," wife replied, "but I'm asking about his medical condition."