THE Bathurst Branch of NSW Farmers will operate a stand at the Royal Bathurst Show on April 24, 25 and 26 and is looking for Farmers Association members to help man it.
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This is a great initiative from the branch as it's a chance to showcase an important sector of the agricultural arm of our district.
Many thanks to chairman Dave McKay and area manager Andrew Coughlan, who are making the arrangements for the display stand.
If you would like to help for several hours at our local show, please phone Dave on 0414 555 470 or Andrew on 0447 393 092.
Recovery mode
NSW Farmers is also organising a regional drought resilience and recovery forum at the Blayney Community Centre this Saturday from 9am to 4pm and it is advertised as a day for farmers, families, friends, rural contractors and businesses.
Speakers will address drought support, grants, loans, stock, weather forecasts, etc. Smoko and lunch will be provided.
This is a much-needed initiative and a venue for many questions and discussion.
For many families, this is a "don't miss" forum. Details from Andrew Coughlan on 0447 393 092.
OTHER RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:
Getting close
BATHURST Merino Association's on-farm ewe competition is only two weeks away and attendees can be assured of an interesting day with friends, some good quality ewes to inspect and a presentation dinner at the Bathurst Harness Racing Club.
Travellers will go on to properties at Glanmire, Rydal, Tarana, Oberon and O'Connell and hear judges Katrina Blomfield and Chris Stapleton's comments at each venue.
The on-farm discussions are often referred to as forums in the sheepyards.
Bookings are essential with Rob McLeod on 0427 311 973 or Warwick Larnach on 6337 9335. Email bma@outlook.com.au
More needed
VALUES for seed oats for autumn sowing are at a premium and growers who need special varieties are finding them scarce.
Most farmers sow about 80 to 100 kilograms per hectare, undersow with clover or grasses and add plenty of fertiliser of their choice.
The earliest sown paddocks are not far away from providing some feed and they are probably 15 to 20 centimetres high after the first storms.
Handy cuts of lucerne are mown on flats and could be the first loads of quality hay to go into storage sheds.
Every farmer hopes that the autumn break is with us, but this is just a start and regular falls will be needed.
Dam urgent
LAST week's mention of possible dam sites for the future augmentation of Bathurst's water supply has drawn some comments as we know that basic feasibility inspections have been conducted over the years.
Excellent sites on the Macquarie River towards its junction with the Turon River would appeal to many, but the water would have to be pumped upstream to Bathurst.
The Fish River in the Tarana area or a raising of the Chifley Dam wall remain as foremost propositions.
When we see the rapid increase in new subdivisions and new houses as well as small acreage subdivisions and new houses that are now almost scrub areas, it's plain to see where much of the city's water supply is being used.
Government and council planners need diligence and urgency as they prepare to recommend water supply decisions.
The river runs
REPORTS of the mighty Darling River flowing past Bourke and on to Wilcannia are giving hope that the long drought may be easing.
Stories of country kids racing down the dry riverbed in front of the flow must restore our faith in country Australia.
No-one is silly enough to make loud statements about weather patterns, but we can all hope for the "seven seasons of plenty" that were mentioned in Biblical times.
Meantime, the costs of buying restocker livestock are daunting: black cows PTIC at $1500 to $1800, crossbred ewes at $350, merino ewes with one centimetre skins and dry at $300 are not for the faint-hearted.
A lot of rural enterprises will probably take about three years to be back on their feet.
Falls give hope
FOR readers who have enjoyed storm rain and run-off into farm dams or for those who still have bone dry dams, please ask your tiny grandkids to find Hickey's Falls on Facebook and view the video of the falls in full torrent.
The falls are on the Newell Highway at the edge of the Warrumbungle Mountains about 15 minutes south of Coonabarabran.
They have been dry for some years, but 13 inches of summer rain has changed everything in their district.
Wool report
ALL micron categories gained ground as the wool market had another positive week.
The superfine and fine merinos were up around 20c/kg, while the medium to broad merinos gained around 10c/kg.
The fine crossbred wools gained 30c/kg, while the broader 28-microns rose around 15c/kg.
The Northern Market Indicator finished the week on 1618c/kg - up 14c/kg.
There has been concern that the COVID-19 virus will bring the market down, but it continues to improve.
Next week will see 44,091 bales on offer.
Mark Horsburgh, Nutrien Wool
Laugh lines
LITTLE miss was five and in a kindy class at a church school.
At art time, she was busy with coloured pencils when the teacher asked her what she was drawing.
"It's God," she said.
"How do I know what God looks like?" the teacher asked.
Little miss gritted her teeth. "Well, you will know in a few minutes," she replied.
***
AT the same school, in the nine-year-olds' class, a teacher said: "One of the 10 commandments says honour thy father and thy mother. Is there a commandment that covers your brothers and sisters?"
Young Thomas shot his hand up. "Thou shalt not kill," he said.
***
GEORGE complained to Telstra about nuisance phone calls most nights around 8.30pm.
"Are they from overseas?" he was asked.
"Oh no," George replied. "They're from a woman with a hoarse voice saying are you ever coming home from the pub?"
