The 90 per cent of Merino breeders who make this decision every year are loath to delay the operation and ask handlers to pick up 50 to 60 kilogram weaners in late autumn. 

Products like Extinosad, Clik and TriSolfen have led the way in animal health husbandry, but we still have to protect our willing workers from lifting jobs that should have been better planned.

WHETHER we think that the destruction of hundreds of mature willows along many district streams was a masterstroke or a horrible mistake, we can’t help but notice the great protection that willows are giving to livestock as some days are warming up. 

To see mobs of cattle go straight to the shade of a willow on a hot day is an indication of the value of these trees. 

Along streams where many willows were taken away, the remaining young trees are a great sight as they finally leaf up after a really cold tablelands winter.

OWNERS of stock, property or general furniture and plant mostly look for auctioneers or agents to conduct their sales and most vendors are satisfied with the results. 

In a deregulated financial market, some sellers enlist the services of a licensed auction specialist to perform whichever parts of an auction that are requested. 

One such specialist is Andrew Toole Auction Services and several recent reports tell me of a very professional service from a well-qualified member of a local family. 

Contact Andrew for details on 0428 820 787 or email ajtoole101@outlook.com.

GOOD buying support at last week’s Wodonga store cattle sale showed us what would happen to our Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange markets if this mongrel of a spring suddenly took a wetter turn. 

Cow and calf quotes were $150 to $300 per unit increased and feeder steers $50 to $100 better, while ready to join heifers averaged 292c/kg.

It’s difficult to keep our confidence at a high level when the growing season hasn’t happened and hand feeding of livestock must continue.

Prospects for cattle, sheep and lambs are bright, but a summer La Nina event would be a great help. Please stay on your knees and pray.

LAST weekend’s big swings in state by-elections in Cootamundra and Murray must be a heads-up for the NSW Government as we’re just 18 months out from a state election.

It seems that many country conservative voters are prepared to support the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party. 

Forced council amalgamations, the dismal efforts to close down greyhound racing and the offensive dismantling of the Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) system have each caused country voters to turn away from the Nationals. 

Some cool heads are needed to help convince former Nationals voters to reassess the political scene.  The Labor opposition must be starting to dream of the joy of operating the Treasury tills.

Today: Millah Murrah Angus female sale on-property.

Friday, October 20: Blink Bonnie rams and 300 wether lambs at Tarana.

Sunday, October 22: Fosterfield merino rams, Dunkeld at noon.

Saturday, November 4: Mt Bathurst, Black Springs, 70 Poll Dorset rams.

THE old cockie had always been a miser and when he stood at the Pearly Gates, St Peter asked for his report card. 

“I once gave a widow $10 because she’d been evicted from public housing and I gave a small lad $5 when both his parents died,” the cockie said.

The Lord overheard the conversation and told St Peter: “Give the old tightwad back his $15 and tell him to go to hell.”

***

FATHER was preaching on human perfection and he pointed out that this was a graceful state that no one of his congregation could ever attain. 

He challenged anyone to stand and proclaim that they were indeed perfect. 

A man stood and Father asked: “Do you dare to stand and claim to be perfect?” 

The man replied: “Oh no, not me, Father. I’m standing proxy for my missus’ first husband.”