MANY management problems are evident across our Tablelands at present as “droughty” conditions affect many properties.
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Landholders to the north of Bathurst face problems in feeding hay to livestock as many don’t own a tractor or loader and big squares or round bales are awkward to handle if the farmer and his wife have had a combined 140 birthdays.
Above all of the problems looms the damage being caused by wild dogs that are showing up on motion censored cameras on properties where owners don’t see dogs in day light.
Support from the board of Local Land Services is urgently needed for the dog control groups whose members are looking for genuine support and not just consoling smiles.
Ranger Paul Medway deserves some real support as this issue is really serious.
One of the busiest producers in the Turon Hills area tells me that a mob of his young merino ewes presented 40 lambs to mark following a six week lambing of the 800 head of ewes.
These ewes were joined to top quality fine wool rams and the combination of wild dogs and drought conditions have caused this loss of a probable $70,000.
Young ram sale
BRENDEN and Kerry Cole offered 40 young rams by Helmsman auction on property at Sofala last Saturday.
The excellent wool quality was obvious on the super and ultrafine rams and I noticed Hill End producer Noel Kimm load seven rams.
The border rams met quieter demand as pastoral conditions in the River Hills are pretty tough.
These young rams will be hard to find if the forecast La Nina conditions set in before Christmas.
Chainsaw races
CHAINSAW races will again be part of the annual Neville Show this Saturday, November 18.
Events will include a women’s race for 80cc and 100cc saws, novice and open speed cuts and an open post rip (three sawn posts) for a $100 cash prize.
All safety gear is supplied and prizes will be awarded for all events.
Details: Shane Ryan 0428 131864.
Hairy fundraiser
WHEN you call into Newhams Rural Supplies in Russell Street you may think you’ve found the legendary Manuel the Bandito.
In fact, it’s only Johnno showing the whiskers that he’s growing as a fundraiser.
The collection box on the counter already has some notes stuffed into it and I’m told that all monies are going to the children’s ward at the Base Hospital.
Every dollar will be appreciated by a really worthy cause.
Closure calamity
THE closure of the Perthville bridge is causing heartache to business operators in the village and much pressure on roads that were not designed to carry thousands of tonnes of rocks and timber as well as lines of vehicles that jostle for room at narrow sections.
Of course, the end result will justify the present problems for most of us but in the meantime we must support the three businesses that are severely affected.
Take a short drive from town for hay or farmlet supplies at the Feed and Rural, fuel or goodies at the servo and a drink or a meal at the pub.
Owners of these businesses would appreciate your custom and friendship.
Gudair benefits
TOWN and Country Rural Supplies Bathurst featured the benefits of Gudair vaccine in their latest newsletter and quoted some of the findings of research trials for this product.
The letter also stressed the need for great care being taken when using the product as needlestick injuries are still occurring on a regular basis.
This product is now in widespread use in many districts and southern newspapers advertise a special auction sale at Naracoorte, South Australia of 56,000 first cross ewes where at least 75 per cent of the yarding are Gudair vaccinates.
Remember when producers in our district were told that no one would ever use this product at $1.50 per dose? Steady price rises have brought us close to $2.70 per dose and the vaccine must be a best seller.
Many thanks to Town and Country crew for promoting this excellent product and for stressing the need for being careful when using it.
Wool report
THE wool market surged ahead again this week as processors scramble to fill orders before the Christmas recess.
All merino categories were up 30 to 50c/kg and the crossbreeds at long last followed suit, rising around 50-80c/kg.
Merino cardings hit new levels, climbing to 1363c/kg, as the northern market indicator finished the week on 1767c/kg, up 49c/kg.
With only five sales left before the Christmas recess, demand should continue until pre-Christmas shipping orders are complete. Then we could see the market correct a little but analysts are predicting good demand to continue into the New Year.
Next week will see 49,489 bales on offer nationwide.
Mark Horsburgh, TWG Landmark
Diary dates
- Saturday, November 18: Annual Neville Show.
- Saturday, November 25: The launch of Col Ferguson’s book, The History of Limekilns, at Holy Trinity Hall, Kelso. RSVP to 63377234 for catering purposes.
Laugh lines
THE little church in a quiet country town was feeling the rural pinch and was faced with closure unless serious funding could be raised.
George was a seldom-seen parishioner but he offered to the pastor: “I’d give five grand cash to sleep with your cute missus next Saturday night.”
The pastor agreed because of the acute money problem and George rocked up at 9pm on Saturday.
The cute wife was tucked in and George took his place on his pillow.
The pastor sat quietly on a chair at the bedside, nursing his shotgun and said: “Now shut your eyes, my son, keep them shut and don’t wake up ’til you hear us having breakfast.”
***
THE hotel maid asked “did you sleep well, sir?” and was told: “No, I was awake for hours. A pretty redhead kept hammering on my door until I finally unlocked the door and let her out.”