Several fine wool producers report greasy wool sale prices at 1500c/kg or a bit more and this equates to $3000 a bale gross. 

Breeders with the sheep to allow a 6 monthly shearing are cutting better than 4kg each 6 months and selling at around 1300c/kg for a bit better than $100 per grown sheep per annum as a gross return.

On the cattle side, sellers of PTIC heifers are rejoicing in great returns and the buyer will do all the work with calving heifers.  Bought in steers in the $1100 to $1300 range will look pretty expensive until general rains fall.

ROB McLeod has supplied details of the Bathurst Merino Association ewe competition to be held on Friday, March 3. 

A bus trip, lunch and presentation dinner ticket is $50 per person.  Bus and lunch are $25 pp; dinner only $25.  Bus leaves the McDonald’s rear car park at 7am and returns by 6 pm. 

Dinner is at the RSL Club from 6.30 pm.  Bookings close on 24th Feb. 

Please ring Rob McLeod on 0427 311973, or email robmc3@hotmail.com.

THE Minister for Chainsaws, Shane Ryan, reports that chainsaw races will be held at this year’s Oberon Show on Saturday, February 18.

As this is a first for Oberon Show organisers hope that many local cutters from the timber industry will be keen to show their talents. 

Good prizemoney is on offer and events start at 3pm.

Shane advises that chainsaw races will also be held at Eglinton Gymkhana on Saturday, February 25, again with very good prizemoney.

THE great efforts by firefighters of many callings must have saved a lot of homes and infrastructure during the dangerous conditions of recent weeks. 

The Cassillis fire that burnt out around 100,000 acres, a big fire near Cumnock and out local fire near Georges Plains were cases of all hands on deck to save lives, property and livestock. 

We all realise that the tragedy at Bocoble near Mudgee could have happened to any one of our families and our thoughts are with the Cox family. 

Every one of us owes a debt of gratitude to our volunteer firefighters.

REQUESTS are often made for name and availability of a Justice of the Peace to formally witness legal documents. 

Many Justices like to keep a very low profile and inquiries to RSL, Leagues and Golf Clubs will usually source a JP. 

Having been a Justice for more than 40 years, I still regularly witness a signature and positions such as Game Council. LHPA and souncils often provided a sheaf of forms to witness. 

Lists of JPs’ names can be Googled if needed.

STRONG buyer interest in superfine merinos continued this week, resulting in good price gains.

The medium to broader merinos also saw gains but not as significant as the fine wools .

Fine crossbreds were a little dearer but the broad crossbreds lost more ground. The northern market indicator finished the week on 1518c/kg, up 19c/kg.

Buyers are now saying there is resistance from some processors to continue to buy at these levels so we may see the market start to level out over the coming weeks.

The gap between the fine and broader merinos is now getting bigger every week. The difference between a 19 micron to 17 micron is now 331c/kg - we have not seen this since 2011.

Sales next week will see 47,583 bales on offer nationwide.

- Mark Horsburgh, TWG Landmark

THE Cardinal was at an official mayoral dinner when a waiter spilt extremely hot soup onto his lap and its surrounds.  His Lordship grimaced and clearly asked: “Is there any layman present who would be good enough to express my feelings?”

A COUNTRY lass found employment at the local pharmacy and the chemist noticed her shyness.  He told her that some men would purchase embarrassing products and would not name them but might ask for size 310, 320 or 330. Our lass opened the shop on Sunday morning at 10 and rang her boss at 10.10am. “My first customer asks for 350 and we don’t have any. The man has a leather bag around his waist.”. The boss calmly told her: “He’s the paper man and wants $3.50 for the Sunday Tele.”  (Thanks J and J)