A national record price for merino lambs was set at Dubbo last week when 222 lambs from the Zell family, Tooraweenah, sold for $277.50 each.

These lambs averaged 74 kilograms liveweight, had probably cut $60 worth of wool and were Glendemar multi purpose blood.

Glendemar was one of the original SRS studs, but had broken from the group in recent years.

MEDIA reports tell of Upper Macquarie County Council and its weeds inspectors putting their feet down on landholders who haven't carried out any form of weed control.

We all realise that the spread of dangerous weeds has been happening for many years, but it is reassuring to know that chairman Ian North and his team are bringing the weed problem to the landholders' attention, possibly all the way to the court house.

Real concern is being shown about the spread of African love grass, Chilean needle grass and ragwort.

Many foolscap pages have been written on the spread of serrated tussock, but landholders in some areas are simply trying to live with a sea of the weed next door and are hoping for new owners and some tussock control work.

VISITORS to the annual Mudgee Small Farm Field Days reported a stream of vehicles from our district across the hills to Ilford, an easygoing crowd, lots to see for young and old and exhibitors who were ready and willing to deal.

Overcoats and beanies were the order of the day, but we know that Mudgee is always a few degrees warmer than Bathurst.

From Mudgee to the north, pastoral conditions deteriorate rapidly and the longed-for seasonal break in early August will be well-received.

There were several reports of three young men at a corner at the field days handing out pamphlets reading "Muslims for Peace".

I'm told that quite a few visitors checked the flyers and walked back to say "good on you, mate" to the young men. This may have been the highlight of the field days.

THE recent death of well-known rural identity Ian Howard has revived memories of a hard worker who always kept busy.

Ian's parents raised their family at Mount Rankin and family members (including dad) were renowned for their sporting ability and their sportsmanship.

Ian shore with several local shearing teams for many years and found work with back country teams in most seasons.

He is remembered as a workmate who could be counted on.

AVID readers who have ploughed through Niki Savva's latest book, Plots And Prayers, will now have a better understanding of the many twists and turns that led to the elevation of Scott Morrison as our prime minister.

The author seems to blame Tony Abbott for many of Malcolm Turnbull's problems, but many readers will probably see the issue from a different perspective.

The happy staff at Books Plus Bathurst will supply your copy for a bit over $30, but be prepared for a long, detailed account of PM Morrison's ascension.

A VERY happy birthday to respected Bathurst identity Joseph Lenehan, who will celebrate a milestone birthday in early August.

This column is giving plenty of advance notice of the coming event, as I suspect that lots of ladies will want to hug our man on the street.

THANK you to Bathurst Regional Council and all involved for providing our community with another great Bathurst Winter Festival.

Others will provide better accolades and my comments will simply add to the praise for a landmark event.

In the midst of a typical freezing Bathurst winter, "where the wind's like a whetted knife", our festival is now established as a Bathurst icon.

SOME feedback from last week's photo of Seaman cousins tells me that our surname is very well-known in country districts.

I know that copies of this column are regularly read as far away as Melbourne suburbs.

One report said that I certainly earn the $200 per week that I'm paid for my efforts.

Of course, there is no payment, just a hobby to give something back to our industry, and a couple of yarns for those who can laugh at themselves.

ONE important diary date: the Bathurst Merino Association annual general meeting will be held next Monday at the Bridge Hotel, Perthville at 7.30pm sharp. All positions will be declared vacant. Members, please make sure you attend.

THE last week of selling before the midyear three-week recess saw the market finish on a positive note.

Superfine merinos had the biggest gains, rising around 45c/kg. Medium merinos gained around 35c/kg and the broader types rose around 25c/kg.

The crossbred wools were up around 15c/kg.

The Northern Market Indicator finished the week on 1780c/kg, up 42c/kg.

Sales resume the week beginning August 5.

GEORGE was gasping at the gym when a cute young lady in a leotard came through the door.

"Which machine should I use to impress this chick?" he asked his personal trainer.

"I think you might try the ATM in the foyer, Pop," the trainer whispered.

***

HE was really from the back country and fell in love with a table dancer in the Eastern Suburbs.

"You wouldn't propose to her; she's a nymphomaniac," his mate said.

"I don't care what she steals," our man replied, "I want to marry her."