This group operates with Central Tablelands and South East Local Land Services boards in a good example of how cross-border co-operation can work.

Landholders in the Crookwell, Tuena, Trunkey and Burraga district report good results from baiting programs in this group in 2020 and this year's bait program will be carried out during the first week in May and the third week in August.

This group may be expanded towards Rockley and the Dog Rocks areas if landholders from there are keen to be involved.

Details from Lyn Jeffries, 0458 452 595, or Neil Francis, 0439 967 843.

THERE is now an opportunity for persons who are interested to gain qualification as a registered wool classer; visit aussieagtraining.com for details as course fees are now minimal.

The general shortage of rural workers also applies to wool classers and contractors appreciate the person who is punctual, reliable and will work (and not just watch).

Details from John Dwyer on 0427 324 435.

OTHER RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:

THE Royal Bathurst Show on April 30 and May 1 and 2 is fast approaching.

Please select a few fleeces for the wool section.

Details closer to show date.

JUDGES for the Bathurst Merino Association Annual Maiden Merino Competition will be Frank Kaveney of "Tallawong", Yass and Hamish McLaren of "Nerstane", Woolbrook.

Buses will leave the rear car park at McDonald's at 7.30 on Friday, March 5.

Interested persons are welcome to join in at any time, but an RSVP is a must for catering purposes.

There are a few seats still available on the bus. Phone Kirby on 0401 402 351 or email bma@outlook.com.au

Entrants are as follows.

FOR something different, you could try a sheep dairy and make cheese.

Cressida and Michael Cains left their job in the Sydney wine industry a decade ago, set up their sheep farm near Robertson on the South Coast and now machine milk 150 East Friesian ewes every day for 10 months of the year (a two month break for lambing).

They process nine tonnes of cheese from their Pecora dairy with varieties Yarrawa, Bloomy, curd, Curly Red and Jamberoo Mountain Blue.

THE ongoing recovery of our landscape that was blackened by last year's bushfires is showing us a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon in an area close to Lithgow.

Pink flannel flowers are in full bloom in a spot that can be found by following these directions:

Don't forget to take your camera. Many thanks to John and Denise Payne for these details and photo.

WEDDING anniversary congratulations to Jan and Rockley Larnach, who wed on January 25, 1959.

That's 62 years of wedded bliss and there is a suggestion that Jan should be inducted into the Wives Hall of Fame.

HARNESS racing followers were delighted to see Justin Reynolds being selected as Oberon's sportsperson of the year.

We watched Justin win nicely on former Gold Crown winner Castalong Shadow at last week's Bathurst meeting and look forward to him competing in the Rising Stars events in the near future.

Congratulations, Justin, and best of luck in coming weeks.

AT the beginning of the week 34 wool sales, the trade was suggesting a firm to slightly dearer Merino market.

By week's end, we had seen the Eastern Market Indicator rise 43 cents a kilogram and increase 3.37 per cent in Australian dollar, 3.63pc in US dollar and 4.36pc in Euro terms.

Italian interests and European top makers continue to be active in our wool market.

Talk of further inquiry from India and writing of business into this market was upon the show floor.

It seems that perhaps we are starting to see the previously empty wool pipeline starting to be filled again, perhaps in anticipation of the world starting to open with the continuing deployment of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Just how much wool is needed to fill this pipeline remains to be seen. Sentiment is positive.

Top price for the week was a 14.4mic line of fleece which sold in Fremantle, making 2581c/kg.

Crossbred wool continues to be subdued, however, by week's end, the market was up by 20c/kg, with the better types most affected.

The week 35 series shows 52,614 bales with wools that have previously been on hold now coming on to the market.

Week 36 is already up 10,605 bales to have an early roster of 48,551 bales - or a 28pc increase.

A THOUGHT for this week: Old age and wisdom come together, but sometimes old age comes alone.

***

AN old mate had remarried at 70 to a very much younger lady.

When their doctor confirmed the prospect of a baby, our man said it would not be any problem to him: "I have to get up eight times every night anyhow."

***

AFTER 15 years of wedded bliss, they were at the marriage counsellor and she was asked if she noticed hubby's expression when she was being passionate.

"Yes," she said, "he looks angry."

On further questioning, she added: "Twice I saw his anger and both times he was looking through the window."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: