OWNERS of livestock are realising that the wonderful change in the season has greatly lessened the fire risk in open paddocks, put a lot of water in farm dams and house tanks and generally lifted our spirits.
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Problems of both internal and external parasites are a wake up call with all producers being alert for worm burdens on warm green pastures.
Please check carefully for drench withholding periods with Combo drenches being 14 days withhold, and some long-acting products being 49 days.
For surplus sheep to the trade a wait of seven weeks can be a real problem for owners.
Wonderful sight
DURING the annual ram sale at Turon Hill, Sofala, the Mayor of Sallys Flat and I looked at distant hills and wondered what effect 100mm of summer rain would have on those hills.
Less than four weeks later rain gauges in that area would have measured around that figure if not more.
Mayor Paddy Tomlinson would be pleased by the result.
In for their chop
THE many landholders who left the prime lamb industry in the 1970s and early 1980s must be amazed to see the vibrant state of the industry at Christmas 2017.
To flashback to 1977, I believe that the lamb yarding at Bathurst in mid-December averaged just under $16 per head and this made the game barely viable.
Yardings at some centres last week recorded price peaks of above 700c/kg cold weight with best sucker lambs returning $160 per head.
Since CTLX at Carcoar completely changed the livestock auction scene in our Tablelands we only have memories of weekly sales at Orange, Bathurst and Blayney.
What a bore
APPROVAL for sinking a water bore is harder to gain as Water Resources has tightened the conditions that will apply.
To the usual applicant for a water bore licence the rule tells us “approval will not be given if the bore is sited 250 metres or less from an effluent disposal facility”.
On a 25 acre peri-urban block it would be difficult to find a bore site more than 250 metres from the house septic tank.
The obvious person to discuss this matter with a landholder would be the experienced bore digger. The public servant in charge of bore licences will be your mandatory second choice.
Bridge is back
THE reopening of one lane of the Perthville bridge has lifted the spirits of daily commuters and business operators in the village.
Our quiet local road that was used as a detour has now slowed to a trickle of traffic after being dangerously busy for about three months.
Several nasty accidents on a narrow bridge and an almost high speed head-on with a slow moving school bus were the price that was paid for the use of O’Regan’s Road.
Maintenance crews from Bathurst Regional Council performed running repairs on damage to road surfaces and damaged corner surfaces and residents along the road can now experience the peace and quiet of Christmas.
Pollie waffle
BARNABY Joyce’s big win in the New England election, several wins during the parliamentary week, the Dastyari blunders and the poll predictions of a by-election win in Bennelong have lifted the spirits of Coalition supporters in the lead up to Christmas.
2018 looms as a watershed year as the expected surge in the US economy should follow the Trump administration’s lowering of company tax rates from 35 to 20 per cent.
Already the Wall Street Stock Market has risen by almost one-third since the Trump ascendancy.
The affect of these changes in the US could have profound influence on market levels of many of our rural exports, especially grain and red meat commodities.
Our business economy would probably leap if our company tax rate was lowered by about 40 per cent early in 2018.
Pacing perfection
FOR readers who love to see a top-class pacer in action, please get your grandkids to find the smartphone replay of last Friday’s Interdominion at Glouster Park, Perth.
New Zealand’s Lazarus worked hard early, sat outside the leader for more than two laps and pulled away in the straight.
I hope I never get too old to appreciate a great horse and this feller is a much needed ambassador for harness racing.
Wool report
THE long run for good merino wool prices continued this week with all Merino wools rising around 20c/kg.
The crossbred wools also saw good gains with rises from 30 to 50c/kg.
The northern market indicator finished the week on 1782 c/kg, up 26c/kg.
There is now only one more week of sales before the three-week Christmas recess.
Next week will see 52 292 bales on offer in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.
Mark Horsburgh, TWG Landmark
Laugh lines
- THE new owner of a rural property was boasting in the club. He said: “It took me six hours to inspect all of the property in my utility last weekend.” A drinker added: “Keep your chin up, old mate. I had a bomb ute like that once.”
- A FARMER friend named his dog Harpic. He said: “He’s clean around the bend”.
- A LADY’S age can be estimated by the number of rings on her finger.
- A BLUSHING bride on her honeymoon said to her new hubby: “Now darling, I want you to sack your secretary.” He asked: “But why, my dear. After all, you used to be my secretary.” She replied: “That’s why.”