Every livestock producer has their own anecdote for bloat and pulpy kidney control, but we should keep vaccination programs up to date, keep a good supply of bloat blocks and be extra careful with grazing strategies.

Breeding animals have reached high price levels and supply of good quality animals is limited.

Please take great care when buying animals as feet and lice problems as well as drench resistance can be major problems on your property and can be really costly.

THE photo of an elite quality merino fleece that has a 52 per cent yield shows us that if 100 tonnes of this wool type is exported, then 48 per cent of the cargo weight is South Australian top soil and will be washed out and discarded.

OTHER RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:

RED meat markets have felt the chill of COVID-19 in the last few weeks, while wool markets tumbled (close to 40 per cent) and grain prices remained fairly stable.

Store stock values are strong as there are quite a few producers who have a touch of grass fever.

Cows with young calves for around $2500 are a test of confidence, but every buyer tells me: "I could make $300 per unit on them if I buy them. If I don't buy then I know I won't make anything on them."

LOTS of reports are coming in that thousands of white cockatoos are visiting our district, stealing freshly sown cereal seed (especially barley) and being referred to as "double headed idiots" by some.

Also of interest is the sight of nesting plover birds as they prepare to lay their eggs in some really odd places.

Within a metre or so of sealed road edges is a favourite site for these noisy birds.

When Orange identity Bruce Reynolds was a young ABC news presenter, he often discussed the idea that noisy plovers are a sure sign of the coming of heavy rains.

If Chifley Dam fills in coming weeks, please drink a toast to Bruce Reynolds and his crazy plovers.

THE dreaded second wave of COVID-19 virus has caused us all to pause and hope that governments and health authorities can control recent outbreaks.

The closure of the Victorian border may curtail further spread into our state, but residents across the nation are used to travelling vast distances, often pulling a caravan to holiday destinations.

Of particular interest is the conduct of the NVLX regional saleyards near the twin cities of Albury-Wodonga, where livestock agents, buyers and sellers must criss-cross the state border, the mighty Murray River.

This saleyard continues to operate efficiently and this is a credit to all involved.

PLEASE take a minute to Google Bathurst Business Hub and watch the video promotions that urge us all to shop locally, dine locally and support our local businesses.

In every town, large and small, the local businesses give support to lots of community and sporting teams and their doors are often open for help.

So now is the time for some payback and we should concentrate on supporting our own business people as they get back on their feet after months of hardship.

The next couple of years will be tough for lots of businesses and I'm sure that customer loyalty will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks to Bathurst Business Hub for keeping this issue in the forefront of our thinking.

READERS who are in the seniors category should claim the Seniors Energy Rebate of $200 from our State Government.

This can be done online (Google Senior Energy Rebate and follow the links) or visit Service NSW for details.

The $200 is to be used to assist with energy charges.

The State Government has also waived rego charges on heavy farm trucks for another year.

If enough politicians' ears were whispered into, maybe Local Land Services rates could be abolished and replaced by a fee for service charges.

IT was great to see Taylors Watch record a nice win at Bathurst trots last week and part-owners Maurice McNeil and Richard Fraser must be proud of the big grey son of the famous Lombo Pocket Watch.

Taylors Watch stands out in a race field. He's a big fellow with a long stride and a great set of grey, floppy ears.

Friday, July 17: Bendigo Online Ram Sale.

Saturday, August 15: Bathurst Ram Expo and Dog Auction.

Wednesday, August 26: Dubbo Stud Merino Ram auction.

SOLID demand characterised the final sale before the three-week mid-year recess.

The finer merino types gained up to 50c/kg and the medium to broader types gained anywhere from 5c/kg to 20c/kg.

Crossbred wools were about firm on the previous week and the Northern Market Indicator finished the week on 1175c/kg, up 16c/kg.

The Northern Market Indicator finished the wool year around 650c/kg down on the same period last year and 200c/kg below a 10-year average.

Even though we saw some upside in the last sale, the outlook is not too positive.

Intelligence put out by the International Wool Textile Organisation paints a very bleak picture, with many well-known wool retailers throughout the world already on the brink of bankruptcy.

Processors, both knitters and weavers, are saying their order books are back 30 to 40 per cent comparing year-on-year figures.

But it is not all doom and gloom, with China seeming to be coming out of COVID faster than any other nation.

Their domestic consumption of wool, which their government is driving, could consume nearly all the wool Australia produces.

We must also remember that all this market intelligence is all speculation and no-one will really know the outcome until we are rid of COVID.

Sales resume the week beginning August 3.

TWO young brothers were giving mum and dad a hard time and their antics were causing lots of problems.

Mum arranged a visit to the local parish priest, who interviewed eight-year-old Charlie first.

"Do you know where God is?" the priest asked.

Charlie had no answer, so Father asked again and again.

Charlie bolted out the door and and whispered to brother Jack: "Quick, mate, we'd better hide; God is missing and the Tykes think we've got him."

***

THE rising politician visited the small country town and he asked the town group for their two most needed priorities.

They said their most important need was for a town doctor, so our friend grabbed his mobile phone, talked loudly for some minutes, then announced: "You'll have a town GP within three months."

Then he asked for the second town wish and was told: "A phone tower would be great as we are in a hopeless black spot and mobiles don't work for 100 kilometres in any direction."