Early sown oat crops came out of the ground like E-type carrots while producers close by are still waiting for enough soil moisture to start sowing.

Likewise, some have dams full of fairly clear water while their neighbours are still carting stock and house water.

Some forecasters are mentioning a landphoon, an inland cyclone, that could bring real flood rains down to central NSW.

Of course, this is only a discussion point at this stage, but every water storage could benefit.

LIVESTOCK markets have reacted to the change of weather patterns as if the long drought has really broken, with restocker sheep and cattle changing hands at extreme levels.

Most properties will probably remain understocked for the medium term as pastures that have been really flogged for many years will take a long time to rebuild.

Markets for beef, lamb and mutton are at profitable levels with $350 plus for extra heavy lambs (that may have eaten $150 worth of feed pellets), $1050 for a belted galloway steer, and $240 for heavy merino wethers with 30mm skins.

Both sheep and cattle numbers here are at really low levels as producers could be looking towards good sale returns for some years in spite of the very serious problems in China.

Forecasts of 90mm for Bathurst would change our world if it were true.

TOMORROW, March 6, Bathurst Merino Association presents the 25th Annual Maiden Merino Ewe Competition on properties to the east of Bathurst.

Buses will leave the McDonald's rear car park at 7.30am. The schedule is:

If you are in the area of some of the properties, you are welcome to call in for a look and a listen.

Private vehicles are always welcome to join the cavalcade.

Late bookings for the bus trip or for dinner may just be possible by phoning Kirby on 0401 402 351. Thanks to Kirby for providing these details.

A FEW starters are already lining up for September's council elections and retiring councillor Monica Morse has arranged an evening for interested lady candidates at Bathurst Regional Council chambers on March 30 at 5.30pm.

Monica is hoping that prospective lady candidates will attend this information evening and go on to nominate for election.

Meanwhile, we read of rumblings in regard to candidates for Oberon's council elections, while Blayney's situation seems to be peaceful.

It is obvious that some Bathurst and district residents are trying to build a profile of being actively interested in their community.

AT an 80-year-old's recent birthday celebrations, a family member mentioned that Dad is never cranky or out of sorts.

For the farming community, the stockman who always keeps his cool is a great asset and co-workers know that he reacts calmly in even the worst situations.

I think of the late Alan Stapleton with eight working dogs standing on his tray back one-tonner watching our team working in roadside yards near Newbridge.

Alan would call one dog and the other seven would not move. An instance of a quiet stockman in full control.

Contrast that story with the noisy stockman who yells and shouts and works by himself, because no one wants to work with him.

FOR the long list of drought-tired people who need a bit of a cheer up, why not follow this year's crop of up-and-coming two-year-old pacers who will appear in the heats and final of our very own Bathurst Gold Crown.

If you'd rather not pacers, they why not the thoroughbreds, with a classy three-year-old called Alligator Blood perhaps being one to follow.

Wives and sweethearts must be tired of hearing about sheep, wool, dogs or cows for years and we must have broader interests.

If all that fails, we can find a football team to follow; NRL or local will give a lot of interest.

Most of us never have a bet, but different hobbies take us away from everyday problems.

THE worldwide spread of coronavirus has caused a drop of about 12.5 per cent on many world markets as trade and tourism are hard hit.

Optimistic advisers tell clients to "buy on the dip" as they see bargain shares.

Pessimists say "never catch a falling knife", while another opinion says "fortune favours the brave".

At this stage, we would need a lot of bravery, but the next weeks will tell the story.

The dreaded "Black Swan" of the financial world may stay with us for many months.

FOUR-YEAR-OLD asked Pop his age and Pop said 78. The little bloke thought a while and asked: "Did you start at one?"

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WHEN George was transferred to the rest home, he guessed that his wristband was for food allergies; it read "Bananas".

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THE five-year-old brother also asked Pop's age and got "I'm not sure".

"Look at the top of your undies, Pop; mine say I'm 4 to 6, so of course I'm 5," five-year-old said.

They checked Pop's and found he's only 38.