THIS year has started out with satisfactory markets and a reasonable season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It has also brought complacency as often happens when problems haven’t surfaced.
NSW Farmers haven’t rated a mention in many months, Bathurst Merino Association is very quiet, and several people have asked me if Local Land Services has been closed down.
These entities always come to the fore when industry problems arise, but the majority of landholders who don’t use social media have almost zero contact with any of these rural-based organisations.
Clear profit
MANY thousands of weaner cattle are now being auctioned at annual sales across Victoria and values appear to have come back several hundred dollars from 2017 extremes.
Estimates of a clear profit of $300 per calf per annum have been made and this makes steer fattening a sound proposition.
Of course, Mother Nature has a very large say in every facet of agriculture, but we all know that there isn’t a cent to be made unless the calves are bought in the first place.
Our district looks a lot brighter than it did a month ago, but we don’t travel far before we find bare, dusty paddocks and worried landholders.
Warm regards
ON one of our 37 degree days, Matt Miller from Watsons Tractors spent some time and effort as he fitted new vee belts to our tractor - an awkward job on a mongrel day and not a complaint or a curse from Matt.
I think he’s a real ambassador for Watsons Tractors. Thank you Matt.
Also close to Bathurst on a 37 degree day, a local lady shearer shore 200 ewes, while not far away a district man fell just a few short of shearing his first 300.
Isn’t it a credit to some of our young Australians to be really working in heatwave conditions when others are talking of heat stress when shopping?
Read all about it
FAMILY members know that I enjoy a good book and the festive season brought Brad Haddin’s My Family’s Keeper.
This tells the true tale of young Mia Haddin’s battle with stomach cancer and her dad’s dedication to his little family at the expense of his career as the Test wicketkeeper.
Readers may skip the cricket chapters and follow the family story.
Hill End author Malcolm Drinkwater’s newest book, meanwhile, centres on the story of Bernhard Holterman and his amazing gold nugget.
Malcolm’s three-book series on Hill End and its history is a must-read for those whose ancestors and friends were involved with the goldfields.
Better times
FOLLOWING the long-awaited revival of the wool industry, are we likely to see a rush of young farmers re-enter the game?
Many left the family property years ago following the effects of a mighty wool crash in the late 1980s, the dreadful nonsense of the Johne’s debate in the 1990s and the drought of two lifetimes in the 2000s.
The rural industry appears sound at present with low interest rates as well and some are returning to sheep and wool.
Well done, Kevin
A VERY big thank you to Kevin Porter who leaves Bathurst Mazda after 33 years of service.
I’m sure that the stream of workshop clients during those years will join me in acknowledging a job very well done.
I hope the future is kind to you. Good luck and good health, Kevin.
Diary dates
- Friday, January 19: Demondrille Merino Stud, Harden. Open day 9am to 4pm.
- Monday, January 22: GSSM ram auction at Exhibition Park, Canberra, 11am.
- Friday, January 26: Nerstane, Woolbrook, 200 rams. Visit www.nerstane.com.au for more information.
- Saturday, February 3: Annual Wiltipoll breeders sale at the Gulgong Showground from 11.30am.
- Thursday, February 15: Merryville annual stud and flock ewe sale at Geegullalong, Boorowa.
Laugh lines
GEORGE had lent $500 to a “friend” and asked his lawyer how he could retrieve it.
“Do you have an IOU? Is there anything in writing?” the lawyer asked. But George had nothing.
“Write to him and notify him that you intend to take legal action to recover your $700,” the lawyer advised. “He will write back that you only lent him $500 and then, see, you have written confirmation.”
**
WHY are the walls in a motel very thin when you try to sleep and very thick when you try to listen?
**
In the club, we heard: “Do you know what it means to come home every night to a woman who gives you affection, tenderness and an ocean of love? It means you went to the wrong house, that’s what.”