LAST weekend’s widespread rain was well received by most sectors of rural industry and ground temperatures are still warm enough for some pasture growth before winter sets in.
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The Bathurst basin was looking dreary after some hard frosts but most livestock have held their condition fairly well.
While most meat markets are enjoying very acceptable levels, pork producers have seen really serious falls in all categories of pig meat and free trade imports are being blamed.
The rain ranged from above 50mm at Peak Hill and Running Stream down to below 8mm towards Coonamble and further north west.
Many comments have been made of the way forecasts were worded to say that “50 to 100mm will fall on Friday, another 10 to 30 on Saturday, and clearing showers on Sunday”.
We can only guess at the mental state of producers who had dry sown 1000 acres of cereal grain and were praying for decent rain.
Television forecasters may do us all a favour with a “if our prediction is right, we could measure good rain this weekend”.
There are more ways to kill a cat than bursting him on hot milk.
Q fever clinic
CURRENT concerns of the incidence of Q fever in humans have again drawn attention to the severe effects of this disease.
Everyone who works closely with animals is at risk of contracting Q fever and vaccination is our only defence against infection.
Dr Ross Wilson at Ochre Health Bathurst has conducted several testing clinics in recent years and handlers of all types of animals would be wise to be involved in this type of clinic when another is arranged.
Footrot claims
STRIDENT claims of problems with virulent footrot in sheep were made at a local gathering recently and these claims were made by a producer who is a leading light in rural industry.
Producers who have bought sheep that may have been infected are dismayed that the animals have been traded online, avoiding exposure to regulatory eyes in public saleyards.
Buyers are urged to carefully inspect on the vendor’s property any sheep that they are interested in purchasing, and should ensure that a signed Sheep Health Statement is provided.
Buyer beware has never been more important.
Tax incentive
IT might be a good time to have a look around your farm and discuss equipment needs.
Buyers are urged to discuss tax incentives that may be available to them following the release of Scott Morrison’s second Federal Budget earlier this month.
The $20,000 per individual item purchase that is currently available as an immediate tax write off has been extended for the 2017-2018 financial year.
As always, seek professional advice before jumping in at the deep end.
Council election
THE starting field for Bathurst Regional Council election in September is starting to become clearer with former councillor Jess Jennings heading a handy team and the announcement last week there were plans for a Greens ticket as well.
Deputy mayor Michael Coote is a scratching, but his statement that a business brain and business-like ideas should be a necessary quality for every candidate in council election was a notable comment.
The drawn-out attempt to amalgamate Bathurst Regional Council and Oberon Council created a lot of friction in the Oberon shire but all concerned are now certain that their council will continue to operate as the entity that their majority want it to.
Wool report
THE wool market was very uneven this week with some micron categories losing ground and some gaining.
Prices were also varied in the different selling centres with Melbourne losing around 20c/kg while the offering in Sydney gained or lost around 3c/kg.
The northern market indicator was 3c/kg cheaper while the southern indicator lost 21c/kg.
Next week is a bit hard to predict but most analysts believe the good fine wools will be firm and the burry broader wools could be a little cheaper.
Next week Sydney will offer 9547 bales, Melbourne will offer 21,326 bales and Fremantle will offer 6475 bales.
Mark Horsburgh, TWG Landmark
Laugh lines
GEORGE had enjoyed a night out with the boys.
He was all smiles as he blundered into the kitchen and called: “Am I home, darling?”
***
He thought an alter ego was a conceited priest.
She guessed that Vat 69 is the Pope’s phone number.
He thought a Norwegian fjord was a Scandinavian SUV.
She thinks intercourse is a ticket to Randwick races.
He believes that Chou En-lai is Chinese for brekky in bed.
She says an optimist is a hope addict.
He thought Calicivirus would wipe out the rabbis.
She thinks a penal colony is an all-male nudist camp.
He says vice versa is a rude poem.