AUTUMN 2021 starts with a full moisture profile in many soils and near ideal sowing conditions for fodder crops.
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A lot of early sown crops are up and going and broadleaf weed control will have to be the order of the day.
Good supplies of cereal seed are available, while some hold-ups in fertiliser delivery are being experienced.
Tree planting programs are getting into full swing and deep ripping of tree lines is making conditions ideal.
Quite a few landholders have sourced advanced trees from David McKibbin's Stratford Trees at O'Connell.
A mix of autumn blaze maples and liquidambars from Stratford line the Living Legends avenue of trees along Bradwardine Road in Bathurst and they are providing a great display at present.
Competition's value
TOMORROW'S Bathurst Merino Association (BMA) Ewe Competition promises to be right up to its usual standard with every team being of a high standard and none of the organisers having a competing team.
The Land journalist Mark Griggs wrote a good article in recent weeks about the value of ewe competitions across the state as they give a chance for breeders to show their stock and their property improvements to a discerning public.
Probably of greater value to the rural community at this time is the well-organised opportunity to spend time with our industry peers, exchange ideas and experiences and, quite simply, to have a good day out.
This was precisely the reason BMA was formed almost 30 years ago.
Its aim was for education and enjoyment and that theory seems to still be working pretty well.
OTHER RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:
The early word
AS 50 wool cockies spend a pleasant day, mainly just looking at sheep, they will probably discuss a general shortage of shearers and wool handlers and a once-in-a-lifetime season.
As the COVID vaccine starts to get us back to normal, we learn that premature shearing has been happening on a lot of properties, with an eight-monthly shearing being popular.
A well-known local tells me that with eight month shearing, a light mules, no crutching or wigging, 4kg of 18.5 mic., the sheep are doing much better and 130 per cent lambing in 2020.
Figuring it out
THE photo that accompanies Richard Butcher's Nutrien wool report in the Western Advocate each Thursday shows a fleece sample from a young Charinga ram that Chris Stapleton bought for his Capree Stud at Newbridge last spring.
The wool tested 19.6 mic, 2.9 s.d., and 14.8 c.v..
My memory tells me the ram cost $36,000 and he might be the best Merino ram that's ever come to our district.
Market movements
STOCKMARKETS around the world have steadily improved with the economic boost that has followed the initial good results of COVID vaccines.
A three per cent correction late last week followed a rapid interest rate rise in government bond rates in many of the "free" countries and this could see the start of a general interest rate rise - hopefully a small one.
The US always leads world economic growth and a Trump-led US was almost booming before the COVID crises; growth might restart under the new administration.
Most of our agricultural exports are traded in US dollars and the strength of their dollar will govern much of our export strength.
The Sky's the limit
VIEWERS of Sky News on Foxtel have watched live episodes of the Paul Murray Show at 9pm on weeknights that came from venues at Batemans Bay and Mudgee.
Most of the station's commentators attract large viewing audiences and I wonder if the station would present some live broadcasts from Bathurst.
Our area has much to offer a news station: a thriving university city, great educational facilities, a shortage of building blocks and very close to a rental crisis.
Throw in our excellent sporting facilities and a lot of chatter about a go-kart track and Sky News could put the Central Tablelands on a lot of TV screens.
To expand our story, we are the home of a great district of many forms of agriculture and some excellent production factories that provide employment for lots of people.
Come on, Sky News, all our doors are open.
Remembering George
MANY residents of our district were saddened to learn of the death of former Bathurst restaurateur George Kamaratos, who recently passed away in his homeland of Greece.
George and his family established the Acropole Restaurant in 1958 and it was known as one of the best eateries in the Central West until it finally closed in very recent years.
The famous Acropole sign still adorns the high point of the Telstra offices in William Street, Bathurst.
Diary dates
- Tomorrow, March 5: Bathurst Merino Association Ewe Comp. All entrants are urged to attend the presentation dinner at Bathurst Harness Racing Club at 6.30pm.
- Tomorrow, March 5: Abercrombie River pest animal group; 6.30pm at Burraga Hall.
- Saturday, March 6: Blayney Show.
Wool report
SYDNEY week 35 saw the Australian wool market take a breath.
By the end of the week, we had seen a 0.9 per cent drop in Australian dollar terms, but an increase in US dollar terms of 1.85 per cent.
With a higher US dollar/Australian dollar rate and over 50,000 bales on offer, this allowed the buyers to "pick the eyes" out of the selection as they filled their orders.
Large offerings, good clearance rates, financial restraints on buyers and delayed and longer shipping times are affecting the stabilisation of the wool market.
Reports have it that shipping times can be up to 12 days longer than normal to the main Chinese ports.
This would be ultimately slowing the speed at which exporters are getting paid.
Most of their business would be on letter of credit payment terms.
With higher price levels than we have seen for nearly 12 months, there is a flow of higher quantities of wool being offered.
A percentage of this wool would be "held" wool.
As most expected, this is dampening the wool market.
Crossbred wool firmed last week.
Week 36 shows an estimated offering of 50,000 bales, selling in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.
Richard Butcher, Nutrien Wool
Laugh lines
A PRETTY 18-year-old was purchasing dress fabric.
She finally selected four metres of lovely cotton cloth and politely asked the price.
"For you, honey, a kiss for every 50 centimetres," the cheeky 40-year-old salesman said.
She blushed shyly and said: "My Grandpa's paying, so I'll go fetch him."
***
THE meaning of comments in the retirement speech:
- Character above reproach - still one step ahead of the law.
- Has enjoyed a long career - that's career as in going downhill extremely fast.
- Fitted in well with the team - he doesn't understand what's going on either.
- Popular with colleagues - shows them all the ways to fiddle their expenses too.
- His departure will be a great loss - to local pubs, wine bars and TAB.
- Won't be forgotten - we will pursue him through all the courts until we regain every cent that the beggar has embezzled.