It's also noticeable that pastures have dried quickly, many farm dams in the Rydal, Hampton area are barely half full, while livestock are enjoying the diet of mature grasses and plenty of warm sunshine.

Wool and sheep meat markets have strengthened into the new year and store cattle prices are being mentioned as scary.

Stockmarkets have reacted favourably to the new American president as he seems keen to inject US dollars as stimulus measures.

The economic change from a businessman's approach to a long-time bureaucrat's approach to America's problems will be intriguing.

A WORD of warning for sheep owners who are struggling to handle fly strike problems with unmulesed merinos: a lot of resistance is being found when producers have relied on products that were tried and true for many years.

Staff at your rural suppliers will tell you what the experienced, long-time sheep breeders are now using, and shearing and crutching your flock may well be a requisite.

A leading producer tells me: "We don't mules our lambs for fun; we do it as a routine that must be done with heavy wool cutting sheep."

OTHER RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:

A GROUP of country people look forward to Bathurst Merino Association's Annual Merino Ewe Competition as it takes spectators onto some rural properties that they would never see otherwise.

The day's program has barely changed in almost 30 years, but the day is always interesting and competitive, and organisers are smart enough to leave the commentary to the invited judges who are providing their experience in the industry for free.

The event is scheduled for Friday, March 5; there is no spectator bus, so drive yourself; bookings for lunch and dinner are essential.

Please contact Kirby on 0401 402 351; email BMA@outlook.com.au.

A BRIEF report from the recent Deniliquin store sheep sale: overall ewe average, XB and Merino $260. Merino wether lambs $120 to $174.

There were a lot of West Australian sheep in the yarding, with only about 50 per cent of the sale being vendor-bred Riverina sheep.

An agent said "it started off like a firecracker, there were exceptionally good sheep, but the market got a bit soggy in some of the first cross ewes".

A FEW days late for Australia Day, but a tale worth reporting.

Five little Bathurst boys started kindy at St Mary's Primary, William Street, Bathurst at the start of 1946, just a year after the end of World War Two.

These little boys have lived in Bathurst all their lives and are still good mates as they near 80.

They went together to the De La Salle St Patrick's School (where I first met them) and they speak highly of the Mercy nuns and the De La Salle brothers who helped to shape their lives.

Selwyn Coles, Noel Smith, Terry O'Connor, John Muldoon and Robert Rooke have been some of Bathurst's best citizens all of their lives.

To add to the born-in-1941 tale:

We were born before TV, penicillin, polio vaccine, frozen foods, contact lenses, frisbees and the pill.

We'd never heard of FM radio, CDs, tape decks, yoga or males wearing earrings.

We thought fast food was what the Tykes ate in Lent.

LIKE many country people, we have made good friends with people who have come from distant lands to settle in our country.

The just-completed Indian cricket tour showed us a national team with a lot of ability and some hearts as big as Tulloch.

This Indian team was a bit too good for our Australian team and we should have learned to never sledge an Indian cricketer.

As we celebrate another Australia Day, we have to pay tribute to the many "new Australians" who have been so successful in our country with hard work and polite, good manners being a highlight of their success.

SEVERAL producers have asked me to mention the service that Josh Grassick Mechanical is offering as a mobile mechanic.

Josh will come to your property (or residence) to repair or service your vehicle or machinery and he has established a reputation for reliability, quality workmanship and competitive pricing.

Mobile phone: 0439 193 829.

COUNTRY people who live outside the metropolitan area and who are of retiring age may well qualify for the State Government's Seniors' Travel Card.

Residents who receive a Commonwealth Pension or hold a Commonwealth Seniors' Health Card should apply online or at Service NSW.

The Travel Card is worth $250 per holder to be used on fares and fuel and is a welcome gesture from our State Government.

WHILE we appreciate everything that our lovely Central Tablelands has to offer, we don't often take the time to travel to Sofala, Upper Turon River, Wallaby Rocks, walk the back streets of Hill End, Grove Creek falls near Trunkey, Capertee, Kandos, Rylstone, Oberon Visitors' Centre and Hampton Half Way House.

We can write a bucket list for our district and wherever we go the people we meet are friendly and will make our visit a happy one.

When people ask what we have to offer, please add some of the above.

THE second sale of the 2021 calendar year saw very strong demand for merino wool types, predominantly from China.

We are also starting to see more inquiry from Europe and the subcontinent, which is very encouraging!

At the end of the week, we had seen a 2.6 per cent gain in the market in AUD terms and 2.8pc higher in USC terms.

The 17.5 micron and finer finished the week up to 120ac dearer, 18.0-18.5 mic up to 60ac dearer, 19-19.5 mic 30ac dearer and 20 and broader fully firm to 20ac dearer.

One exporter told me that the large increases in the price of sub-16 micron wools is partially due to the recovery of cashmere prices and that ultra-fine merino wool is being substituted for cashmere, most probably as higher percentage in the wool/cashmere blend.

There is also a lot less supply of these wools due to the vastly improved seasonal conditions.

The crossbred market traded on a firm basis this week.

Week 31 shows an offering of 42,000 bales Australia-wide with sales in all centres on Wednesday and Thursday.

AN old mate came home early and sprang his wife cuddling a handsome neighbour.

After many uppercuts and much shouting, the bruised neighbour hurried off.

Little wife said: "If you keep going on like that, you won't have any friends left."

***

A TERRIFIED voice rang the station: "A burglar broke into old Miss Smith's house and she's locked him in her wardrobe; come quickly."

The copper asked the caller's name and he whispered: "I'm the burglar; please hurry."