Early auctions of ram sales in Eyre Peninsula, SA are showing increased demand and averages increase of around $200. 

Demand for big, plain bodied Merino rams that are carrying good quality long stapled wools of 19-20 micron as hoggets are very much in demand.

A producer near Gilmandyke (Rockley) assures me that 10 millimetres of rain now causes a flood in his creeks and gullies and he is looking for a succession of frosts to harden his soils up.

Others remind us of staff using dust masks to work in stock yards several years ago. 

We can never say rural life is dull and boring.

THIS is the last call for interested parties to attend the Bathurst Ram Expo at the showground this Saturday.

It’s a 10am start and a wind-up at 3pm. 

Static sheep displays give an opportunity for a quiet look and a yarn with friends.

Junior sheep judging training and competitions provide interest for participants and the Super Six Competition for commercial breeders is an added attraction.

Buyers and sellers of working sheep or cattle dogs have an opportunity to trade with an auction of various standard dogs being held at about 1pm.

Dogs included in the auction have a chance to demonstrate their ability with some sheep in a yard at about 11am.

The expo will go ahead regardless of the weather, either in bright sunshine on green grass or snug and dry in the cattle pavilion

THE recent death of Brian O’Farrell of Mudgee and formerly of Ben Bullen revives memories of one of our district’s foremost wool experts of former years.

Brian was a professional woolclasser during many years when wool was king and in later years he worked as a TAFE teacher at Leeton, Forbes, Bathurst and Inverell, specialising in sheep and wool course instruction.

Brian is remembered as a gentleman who was widely regarded as a wool industry specialist.

WHEN Bathurst pastoralist and retired surveyor Godfrey Bliss passed away recently he left many memories of a busy working life and a lifetime involvement in harness racing.

He raced several pretty handy pacers including the prolific winner, Lockton Loaded.

Godfrey contributed to the Bathurst community by his quality workmanship and his involvement in local service clubs.

He will be greatly missed by his many friends and the harness racing community.

LANDHOLDERS and interested community members who are receiving regular copies of the Central Tablelands Local Land Services-produced Tablelands Telegraph are reporting plenty of interesting content in the electronically provided newsletter.

Last week’s copy gave times and details of the many and varied mini field days and workshops that are scheduled across our district as well as specialised comment and advice on livestock and plant health.

People who would like to receive a free regular issue of Tablelands Telegraph on their computer, tablet or smartphone are urged to contact LLS on 6333 2300 and ask to be added to the 5400 users who already receive the service.

A FACEBOOK post from Ray White Emms Mooney: “At last week’s CTLX cattle sale we yarded and sold 38 grass-fattened Angus steers A/c Rockley Larnach, Bathurst, that sold for 359.2c/kg live weight, 564kg.lwt; $2026.64 per head.

“These cattle were bred by Joe and Hugh Brown, ‘Cross Hills’, Newbridge and were bought at the CTLX Blue Ribbon Sale 2015. 

“These are great cattle acquiring an excellent reputation wherever they go.”

DURING a recent meeting a question was asked of whether the majority of farm families buy and read a copy of The Land newspaper on a regular basis.

During my working lifetime I have heard this paper often referred to as the Farmer’s Bible and many farm wives referred to the quiet hour as dad read The Land from cover to cover.

If I want to advertise or spread the word on a matter of country interest, The Land would be the resource I would always use.

To have been elected to represent rural producers on a semi-government board, I think I would be remiss if I chose to not read the primary rural affairs  newspaper.

A STOCK and station agent has nicknamed his wife Harvey Norman; absolutely no interest for 36 months.

THE online Census asked “in what state were you born?” and George answered “completely naked”.

WHEN he retired as chief accountant, the com-any presented him with a silver bound ledger book, framed and on a small pedestal. He admired the trophy and said: “This has finally settled a concern of mine. I almost chose a career as a gynaecologist.”