TWO stud sheep sales that were held last week achieved good results.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Duramana’s Kildara Glen sold 30 of its 38 poll dorset rams and all the border Leicesters that were offered, achieving a a good average price and a top of $1200.
The Treanor family sold the first 22 young rams under the hammer and many of these are rich in Tattykeel Blood.
The sheep pavilion at Bathurst Showground is a great venue for stud stock sales.
Meanwhile, Alan and Sue Dawson’s Winyar Merino stud at Canowindra offered 88 young rams for an $8500 top a $2823 average and a 100 per cent clearance.
There is a strong influence of Roseville Park blood at Winyar now and I was impressed by the wool and frame of a battery of hogget rams that are polls and sired by a Yarrawonga Poll sire.
Their bright, long stapled wools resemble the Wanganella type that helped found our wool industry.
Merino field day
TODAY brings the Marnoo Merino Field Day in Central Victoria where many of the modern stud sires are coming from.
The studs that display will show 800 hogget rams and spectators usually come from four states.
Field day president Tim Polkinghorne is quoted as saying that many of these studs aim to produce one kilogram of fine medium wool every four weeks.
Of course, these long stapled sheep are suitable for six-monthly shearing and this usually increases annual wool cuts by about 10 per cent.
Guns amnesty
FIREARM users should note that the current gum amnesty finishes on September 30 and the opportunity to dispose of unwanted firearms will close.
We are warned to not take a gun into a public place and to ring either your local police station or the firearms registry on 1300 362 562 to make arrangements for delivery.
Greatly missed
THE death of Beryl Evans took away one of the Oberon district’s long-time residents.
She and her husband Laurie were prominent community members for a lifetime and Beryl will be greatly missed by her many friends across the Oberon and Bathurst districts.
District pioneer
JOHN Tomlinson of Sally’s Flat also passed away recently.
He was a highly respected member of one of our district’s pioneering families and he will be missed by his many friends.
As well as running the family property, John was a long-time wool handler at Milton Smith’s wool store on Lloyds Road, Bathurst.
Eyes on the sky
EVERY farmer and every grazing animal is anxiously watching the sky as spring 2018 hangs in the balance.
Recent rain has given crops and pastures a nice start and regular follow-up falls will be valuable.
But the exact opposite will occur if September and October bring hot, dry winds.
It is obvious that much of the green grass that we are seeing has started to run to head and its feed value will drop quickly in dry conditions.
Tough decisions
BEFORE the rain many producers had said that mid-September was decision time to either close down the livestock enterprise or commit to a feeding program that has a possibility of really serious financial implications.
These are tough decisions as market prospects for all livestock enterprises (hopefully including pig products) look rosy at the end of the tunnel, but how long is the tunnel?
Need a JP?
SEVERAL readers have commented on the Justice of the Peace stand in the Bathurst City Centre, near the top of the escalator.
This desk is manned at set times and must be of value to community members who need important papers witnessed by a JP.
As a long-standing JP, it isn’t a problem to witness documents but an organised, manned desk in a busy shopping centre is a sound idea.
My letter of appointment on September 30, 1976 and signed by Country Party Member for Bathurst Clive Osborne is a reminder of a good friend and an excellent MP.
Little sheepish
OWNERS of little mobs or a couple of pet sheep would enjoy a look at Backyard Shearing on Facebook.
The site’s video shows a left-handed shearer Andrew Parkes at work and his reputation is for quality and reliability.
Wool report
THE wool market had a mixed week with fine wools rising from 25c-40c/kg while the 19 micron and broader merinos lost around 20c/kg.
The crossbreds gained around 10c/kg as the northern market indicator finished the week on 2162c/kg, up 9c/kg.
The big Nanjing Wool Conference has been on in China and no doubt the lack of supply due to the ongoing drought was a hot topic. The market should remain strong over the coming weeks.
Next week will see 38,165 bales on offer nationwide.
Mark Horsburgh, TWG Landmark
Diary dates
- Wednesday, September 26: Tattykeel Australian Whites, 20 stud rams, 60 stud ewes and 80 flock rams.
- Friday, September 28: Bella Lana Merino Rams at Dripstone.
- Friday, October 19: Blink Bonnie Rams at Tarana.
Laugh lines
THE middle aged lady was given just 12 months to live and her doctor advised her to marry a farmer.
“Would that help me to live longer, doctor?” she asked.
“Of course not, madam, but it will seem very much longer.”
***
SOME memorable newspaper headlines:
Drunk gets 9 months in violin case.
Prostitutes appeal to Pope.
Panda mating fails: Vet takes over.
Red tape holds up new bridge.
Iraqi head seeks arms.
***
A FIVE-year-old at a wedding asked: “Mummy, why is the bride wearing white?”
“Because it’s the colour of joy and this is a most joyful day,” her mother replied.
“I see,” said young miss, “so why is the groom wearing black?”