LOCAL Land Services and Bathurst Merino Association are putting plans in place for a field day on inspection of erected exclusion fence projects on rural properties that are within striking distance of Bathurst city.
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The day is set down for Monday, July 12 and at this stage there will be little or no charge for participants, with bus seats and light meal included.
The plan is to visit up to six properties and discuss the results with property owners and managers and I think that most of these people will be positive in their comments.
Parts of our district that are experiencing wild dog problems have taken on the exclusion fencing projects and they appreciate the help from LLS, DPI and the manufacturers of specialised fencing projects that make the projects achievable.
As booking details come to hand they will be listed in this column.
Beef outlook is strong
RABOBANK'S current Beef Outlook outlines the effect that tight cattle supply across many producing countries, along with red hot demand for animal protein is forcing store and beef cattle to record international levels.
The bank's analysts believe that Australia's markets are seeing a permanent step up.
Higher economic activity as Covid vaccines are rolled out, high incomes (thanks to government stimulus payments), Argentina's boycott of its export markets and the effects of African swine fever on Chilean protein options are all factors in our country's clean, green beef export markets.
Rabobank's positive outlook for the cattle industry gives confidence to producers who are keen to expand their business and invest in up-to-date infrastructure on farm.
The prophets of doom still predict searing temperatures, recurring droughts and severe lack of surface water. But the farmers who make the world go around are probably all listening to Rabobank and re-reading their Beef Quarterly every night.
Here comes the rain
LAST weekend's very welcome rain probably averaged about 20 millimetres across our district and it has given a lift to crops and pastures.
It's a great sight to see crystal clear running water in rivers and streams that are all pointing towards major storage dame.
Both the Turon and Macquarie rivers are running a strong, fresh stream and the sounds from each river are like music after a run of horrible drought years.
Forecasts of a severe cold front are being made as I write this comment late on Monday afternoon so it could be a week to pull our shirts down.
Session for shearers
PETER Moore advises that an Australian Wool Innovation and Bathurst Merino Association sponsored shearer and wool handlers' school will be held during late August.
The school is being held at the Owens family property "Nanena", The Lagoon, and 1300 plain bodied Merino lambs are to be shorn at the school.
Interested shearers (or future shearers) and wool handlers are asked to discuss plans with Peter Moore on 0419 011 398.
Many thanks to the Owens family for their involvement in this project.
Tale of two Merino studs
THE well-established Henderson family's Grogansworth Stud at Boorowa will be dispersed following a generational change.
The younger generation is keen to operate as commercial producers and they probably don't want to be involved in the push and shove that some stud masters to on with.
Grogansworth has infused a lot of One Oak genetics from the Riverina and their final on-property ram sale will clear the decks.
In a different scenario, the Carter family at Marnoo, Victoria has steadily grown the Wallaloo Park property from 600 hectares in 1972 to 4000 hectares at present, with 15 per cent of the total being leased.
John Carter recalls a well-known farm consultant in Melbourne telling them to give the stud away in the 1980s but it has since grown to be an industry leader.
Son Trent Carter returned home from Geelong Grammar and Marcus Oldham in 2005 and his wife and his mother are vital cogs in the whole operation.
The family crops 3000 hectares per year and they give great credit to the late Jim Watts for revolutionising their sheep and the Merino industry.
State's new Labor leader
NEW state Labor leader Chris Minns has put a new face to the NSW opposition as it formulates policies for an election in the medium term.
The party seems to have lost a lot of its blue collar supporters as gender fluidity and climate change don't seem as important as the cost of living, kids' education or road improvements as we walk up to the ballot box.
The five per cent of voters in the centre of the pendulum decide nearly every election in our nation and it takes more than kissing some unfortunate babies to gain their parents' support.
The Bathurst electorate at present is one of the Nationals' safest seats with its Member and Minister Paul Toole maintaining a high profile and being a consistently hard worker for his electorate.
Neat cottage for hire
A NEAT two-bedroom fibro cottage is available for a trustworthy person (or persons) with a country background in a corner of our district that is about five minutes' drive to a busy village.
Cost arrangements will be flexible and a call to 0419 011 398 will start the discussion.
Wool market report
WEEK 49 of the Australian wool sales with an offering of 35,724 bales saw all but 7.4% of the offering sold.
By the end of the week the EMI had moved up 23ac/kg or (1.74 per cent) in AUD terms and 1.66 per cent in USD terms.
The 19 micron and finer wools were the main movers with these wools proving to be highly sought after, particularly those lots with a VM percentage of less than one per cent.
Needless to say, the higher VM lots were chased by the trade and the finer they got the dearer they got. Demand for these finer types is extremely good.
The 19.5 micron and broader wools also saw gains of up to 20ac/kg for the week, once again with the low VM wools being very strong.
As it looks like the world is staring to open up with the success of the vaccines, it seems that the wool pipeline is filling up in anticipation.
The Chinese domestic economy is firing due to spending on infrastructure in that country, and this seems to be reflected in consumer spending.
The crossbreds improved up to 15ac for the week.
Week 51 will see an estimated offering of 35,000 compared to an offering of just 16,000 bales in the same sale in 2020.
Richard Butcher, Nutrien Wool
The alternative dictionary
- Pedestrian: A motorist with teenage sons.
- Racial disputes: When the judge at the races calls for a second photo.
- Stalemate: A husband who has lost his ardour.
- Lactic: Grandfather clock that doesn't work.
- Conscience: The thing that aches when all else feels good.
Dates for your diary
- Thursday, June 17: Tarana Pasture Walk of 14 pasture lots sown two years, 10am to noon. Speakers Dave Harbison and Clare Edwards. RSVP essential by Wednesday, June 16. Book on 0428 435 615.
- Friday and Saturday, July 9-10: Mudgee Small Farm Field Days.
- Monday, July 12: LLS/BMA pest animal exclusion field day.
- Saturday, September 11: Perthville Village Fair. Stall bookings at perthvillefair2795@gmail.com.
You have to laugh
HE said: "I can't ballroom dance but I'd love to hold you while you dance."
***
GEORGE asked: "Honey, could I have the last dance?"
She told him: "You've just had it."