FOLLOWING the stock market's 22 per cent crash, many investors have taken their medication and hung on for the long haul.
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We know that markets will revive, but we don't know if it will take days or many months.
Government leaders are calling for calm on the coronavirus front and it's disappointing to see so many public events cancelled.
Of course, public health is the priority and we all appreciate the advice of our country's leaders.
Hope springs
LAST weekend's cold change brought handy follow-up rain to our tablelands with 10 to 20 millimetres being recorded in most gauges.
These falls were welcome as subsoil moisture is still very low and pastures that were recently sown as well as fodder crops will appreciate every drop that falls in 2020.
Livestock have responded well to the fresh green that is now available and every team in the Bathurst Merino Association ewe competition were a credit to their owners, who have fed sheep and cattle mobs for a long time.
Hats off to all the school kids who have kept smiling and never stopped helping mum and dad.
OTHER RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:
Will be missed
SYMPATHY is offered to the Arrow family on the passing of matriarch Lucy Arrow.
Lucy operated the family farm on Martin Bird Lane, Rock Forest for many years and she was a long-term member of the Bathurst Merino Association.
She is missed by her wide circle of friends across Bathurst and district.
Poets postponed
JOHN Trollor advises that the bush poetry and melodies night at the Perthville Hall that was scheduled for tonight has been cancelled due to the worry of closely packed crowds.
This event will be held at a later date when the virus problems have passed.
Sound advice
THE industry stalwarts who attend merino ewe competitions in many districts across the state are the source of much wisdom for those who care to listen.
At this year's event in Bathurst I heard:
- The Bella Lana sheep are the best dual purpose sheep in NSW.
- We've eaten all the second grade sheep in our district; only top quality remains.
- Judges in ewe competitions should be allowed to judge and perhaps give good advice. Serial pests can spoil a competition for the judges.
- Perhaps a commercial breeder from another district would make a good second judge. He should really know the value of every dollar.
Happy ending
MERINO breeders who have stuck to their guns through the succession of mongrel seasons may be about to be rewarded for their efforts.
Dan and Nicola McMahon at Oberon tell us that they sold 245 young Demondrille blood ewes on Auctions Plus last week for $295 each.
The ewes were late September shorn and were classed out as surplus to requirements.
A sale like that is a great result for a hard-working young couple with a little family and is proof of the quality of the woolcutters that they are breeding.
Personality test
BREEDING livestock's mothering ability is always of importance and this quality is of real value now that surplus stock are so valuable.
The dark red Herefords are renowned for their docility in stock yards and in the paddock, but, like humans, there is often a one-off that doesn't comply.
The dual purpose merinos have the bodies of crossbreds, but their wool is of excellent quality in most cases.
Properties that never use dogs are usually blessed with docile cattle and sheep and the owners are mostly quiet operators and good listeners.
Top returns
THE annual Mountain Calf sales in East Gippsland, Victoria have given excellent results to specialist weaner cattle breeders who have struggled through years of drought that were followed by major bushfires.
The indicative Eastern Young Cattle Indicator broke the 750c/kg carcase weight price barrier last week and this is a 55 per cent rise in eight weeks.
The rain gods have given confidence to both buyer and seller.
At the annual Benambra calf sale, values were quoted as $400 to $600 and more "above last year's prices" and the main run of top quality deep red Hereford steers returned $1300 to $1520 per head.
These are great returns for really dedicated breeders.
Age-old topic
THE US presidential election in November is reaching a critical point as Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden are the last two standing for the Democratic Party's nomination.
These men are both in their late 70s, a stage of life when most of us have at least partially stepped aside.
I have to wonder if a president who would be 82 in office in 2024 is what a first world country needs.
As I'm in the same age as these old buffers, I hope that I'm allowed to continue contributing Rural Notebook for some time as there's many a sweet tune been played on an old fiddle.
Wool report
AFTER surviving the first few weeks of coronavirus, the market finally succumbed, losing considerable ground in all micron categories.
Superfine right through to the broader Merinos saw losses between 60 and 80c/kg.
The crossbred wools were not as affected, losing around 20c/kg.
The Northern Market Indicator finished the week on 1557c/kg, down 48c/kg.
Looking at the global economic situation, it would be a miracle if the market didn't take a considerable hit over the coming months as retail sales throughout the world dry up due to the virus.
The only saving grace may be if China, being the first country affected by the virus, comes out of it first.
Also, going into the northern hemisphere summer may help the virus to dissipate.
Mark Horsburgh, Nutrien Wool
Diary date
DON'T forget the Tarana pasture walk at 941 Sodwalls Road, Tarana on Friday, April 3 from 10am to noon.
Laugh lines
THE farmer's wife was trying to collect the $150,000 insurance money for the burnt woolshed, but the sales rep assured her that "we don't operate that way, madam; we ascertain the value of what was insured and provide a replacement of equal value".
The very red-faced wife thought for a moment and said: "In that case, I want to immediately cancel the policy on my husband."
***
GEORGE called in at the pharmacy on his way home from a week's study tour.
He looked at perfumes at $150, $75 and $40 and added "so I'm looking for something pretty cheap for the missus".
The sales girl then suggested a hand mirror.