BMA envisages a coach trip to this year’s Melbourne Cup and if this is to happen it needs to be finalised soon and seat bookings, cost and time details are now needed.

Basis discussion of future ewe competitions needs to be had as dual purpose sheep are now in the spotlight.

An event that awards success for wool quality and quantity to ewes that are shorn a few weeks ago may urgently need a few rule changes.

An upcoming ram expo and working dog auction are short-term highlights as newer, younger members will be taking over the future of this 25-year-old association.

SCOTT and Anna Brien at Bella Lana Merino Stud at Dripstone have arranged a hands-on sheep classing workshop on property on Friday, August 11.

Noted Merino specialist Craig Wilson will conduct the activities at the all day event and of special interest would be “the pros and cons of six-monthly shearing”.

In many districts there has been a real swing to prem shearing and an exchange of ideas will be worthwhile.

A practical approach to this subject will tell us that not many Tablelands flocks are bred to produce 10 to 12mm of staple every four weeks. 

Bella Lana’s workshop requires an RSVP by August 4 to 0409 467 477.

PANORAMA Coaches is taking seat bookings for a one-day visit to the renowned Mudgee Field Day on Saturday, July 15.

The coach will leave Bathurst at 7.30am and bookings are essential as seats are limited.

Please phone Bill or Lynn on 6337 2393.

EVERY day is making the winter season look more dismal across much of our Tablelands and many parts of south-east Australia.

Store markets for both sheep and cattle breeding stock have quietened quite noticeably as the rain gods seem to have hibernated.

Sales of cattle hay are occurring in most of the district and grain feeding of sheep must be getting close on many properties.

HERE are just a few thoughts in one of the very few Junes that farmers are in a position to trim their upcoming tax bills.

Last-minute purchases for the end of June will probably include:

CHANGES of property ownership and different management styles are changing patterns for shearing and livestock contractors as several viable sized flocks have been shorn at eight months and lambing dates brought back to early spring.

This means that lambs will be marked and mulesed in very early October and not left until they are “vealers” in the following winter.

Shearing dates will vary for these flocks but crutching will probably be avoided.

We should be sure to use TriSolfen on mulesed lambs and 10ml applications seem to be optimal for big lambs or young weaners.

Cost is close to $1 per lamb but I feel it’s money well spent.

THREE cheers for Kent and Dianne McNab who stuck to their guns in their quest for the much-needed roundabout in upper Mitre Street.

From my corner, I think that both the McNabs have achieved so much for Bathurst motorists and pedestrians that council should reward them in a recognisable way.

A MINI tornado tore the roof from the farmhouse and hurled the middle aged farmer and his wife 600 metres into the back paddock.

As the dust and leaves started to settle he and his wife were still in the shattered big bed and she cried huge, rolling tears.

“Don’t be sad love, we’ll be OK now,” he tried, but she said: “I’m not sad, Herb, it’s just that this is the first time we’ve been out together in 15 years.”

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