MOST landholders who had bothered to enrol to vote in Local Land Services board elections will have returned their ballot forms by now and made their choices.
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One candidate suggests that the most costly pest animal in terms of economic losses to primary production is the kangaroo that is in plague proportions across many districts.
I’ve mentioned the candidates concerns to a number of ratepayers and the common answer is: “Why don’t LLS or Department of Primary Industry do something constructive and have kangaroos declared a feral pest animal?”
Vale, Ian Mutton
FAREWELL to popular harness racing trainer/driver Ian Mutton who passed away recently.
He leaves a legion of friends and a store of happy memories and will be greatly missed by all involved in the pacing industry.
Sheep classing
LAST week’s sheep classing workshop for agriculture students at St Stanislaus’ College was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the participants to talk one-on-one to one of Australia’s foremost merino specialists.
Currently working with Australian Wool Innovation, Stuart Hodgson has earned his reputation as a sheep classer and breed adviser over many years.
Thanks to agriculture teacher Steve Jessett for organising the workshop and to Nadine Morton and Phil Blatch for the article and photos in the Western Advocate.
Thanks, Margie
A BIG thank you to Margie Gaal and her staff at the city dog pound on Lloyds Road.
Some of our family members (two of them under three) were involved in a nasty accident at the pound corner and Margie and her staff showed them great kindness and a very welcome cuppa.
Much appreciated from our family to all at Margie’s place.
Spray success
SEVERAL large scale livestock producers tell me that they have great results with a Nufarm foliar spray named ProGibb 5G.
The product brochure claims dry matter increase of better than 30 per cent in rye and clover pastures within three weeks of spraying and that four years of trial work show boosts to pasture growth in autumn and early spring.
ProGibb contains gibberellins that stimulate plant growth and these are already naturally in most plants.
The treatments are economic to use: a 250 gram packet costs $195 inclusive and details can be bought from Agriwest or other rural retailers.
Pray for rain
AS this column is being written, forecast of a significant rain event late this week is common.
Apart from an area from the Upper Turon to the east, much of the Tablelands are in urgent need of some very wet weather.
Most producers don’t want to sell any more stock until the new financial year, but the temptation to lower stocking rates is getting stronger by the day.
A fair bit of hay is being fed to cattle, and supplementary feeding of sheep flocks will soon become common if a bit of climate changing doesn’t happen shortly.
Wool report
THE merino wool market faltered slightly this week with all merino microns losing around 30c/kg.
The cross-breds, however, were 5c/kg dearer.
The northern market indicator finished the week on 1615c/kg, down 24c/kg.
With less quantity to choose from and a lower dollar, this fall caught everyone by surprise.
The broader and burry merinos took the brunt of the fall and these wools could get a little cheaper in the coming weeks while the fine wools should hold their ground with very little quantity to choose from.
Next week will see 36,343 bales on offer nationwide.
Mark Horsburgh, TWG Landmark
Laugh lines
GEORGE arrived hurriedly at the Pearly Gates and the good Saint asked of his life’s activities, both good and not so good. George rattled off his good works and then mentioned the other side. “Probably the worst thing I did, Pete, was to make love with my neighbour’s wife when I thought he was away at the Carcoar cattle sale.” St Peter’s brow was furrowed as he asked: “And when did this occur, my son?” George checked his watch and gasped: “About four and a half minutes ago.”
SHE said: “We were married in secret. Even my hubby Herb didn’t know ’til he sobered up.”
THE tourist asked George: “Have you lived in Bathurst all your life?” George replied: “Well, not yet.”