Much of the focus centred on the control or eradication of Chilean needle grass, which has established as a problem weed across parts of our district. 

There seems to be a different approach from UMCC with an obvious willingness to try to assist landholders to control and eradicate noxious weeds.

With the UMCC, Farmers Association, Bathurst Regional Council and Local Land Services all trying to collaborate with the community, there must be a real opportunity to arrange some half day information workshops in areas such as Sofala, Trunkey, Peel and other localities. 

Subjects such as roadside weeds, travelling stock reserves, animal health and pest animal control should draw plenty of interest, but these events would need to be properly advertised.

THE recent death of former master plumber Jim Hobson in Bathurst took away one of our district’s most respected gentlemen. 

Jim and his brother Dick established the regarded Hobson Bros plumbing business in George Street many years ago and their many long-term employees were testimony to the business ability of the brothers. 

Jim will be greatly missed by his many friends and former work mates.

PRODUCERS who intend to carry out a fox/wild dog baiting program during the next few weeks are urged to check their poisons accreditation to save themselves problems when sourcing baits. 

Chemcert accreditation gives us access to most chemicals, including S7, 1080/Pindone, etc, while the Local Land Services accreditation allows for 1080/Pindone only. 

Chemcert cost is about $280, while LLS is $55. 

Please register now if you intend to qualify for the LLS card as training days are held regularly. Phone 6333 2300 for information.

PASTURES across the Central Tablelands are now providing short green feed for sheep, and many properties now have some paddock grass for cattle. 

Many others will need to hand-feed hay to cattle for some weeks and native grasses probably won’t be of feed value until October. 

Even though cattle, lamb and mutton prices are really attractive, there are still plenty of light, store condition cattle and sheep. 

To avoid a nasty shock on sale day, please arrange your agent’s visit before you book a stock carrier. 

A producer told me recently that he would shear his 250 crossbred lambs and then sell them two weeks later. 

They would have been battling to reach two score and may need two months to be a trade lamb. 

This man did phone his agent.

MERINO breeders who are still young enough to have an open mind would enjoy a drive to Murray Bridge (SA) for the World Merino Insight and the Classings Classic Ram Sale on September 5.

Classer Bill Walker has hand picked about 80 plain bodied, elite woolled young rams from industry leading studs such as Gunallo, Glenlea Park, Poemahkita, Wallaloo Park and Kamora Park. 

Additions for 2016 include Toland (Victoria) and Coddington Poll (NSW).

For a bit less driving the Marnoo Field Days in Central Victoria on Thursday, September 22 will display more than 700 rams from nine studs that include Banavie, Charinga, Sohnic and Wallaloo Park. 

Rams from each of these venues may well provide the basis of flocks that won’t have to be mulesed in future if our state government treats the sheep industry as it is treating the greyhound industry.

THE obvious arrival of small mobs of Speckle Park cattle to our district has caused some comment from traditional breeders of Hereford, Black Angus and Shorthorns that are obviously very suitable for our district, and each has its strong points. 

Speckle Parks have been a long established, stabilised breed in Canada and they are returning good results from saleyards and meatworks. 

They are certainly an impressive sight on bright green pastures, as are Charolais and Murray Greys. 

I also have a soft spot for a little herd of Highland cows and calves and their caramel bull.

Maybe I’m envying their abundant hair.

SHE helped George pack his bags and as he stumbled out the front door she yelled: “And I hope you have a slow, painful death.” George looked back and said: “Now you want me to bloomin well stay, do you?”

***

He said that his family was so poor that he didn’t have his 21st birthday until he was 34.

***

The train pulled in at a station and a group was discussing why the trains weren’t making money. “Hopeless management, said the first and the second said: “Way too many staff.” The third said “damn unions” and a fourth was ready to comment when a ticket inspector walked in and they all jumped off.