There have been significant losses in older lactating cows and producers are taking every precaution as they restrict access to problem pastures.

Sub clover pastures are lapping up the moist conditions and the threat of pulpy kidney losses in young lambs is at the front of producers' minds and a second vaccination is a must.

AFTER four decades of recurring dry conditions, it's great to hear of so many of our state's major water storages spilling over at present.

In a very dry continent, it's imperative that we conserve as much run-off as possible and our river systems are operating well and our on-farm water storages are close to capacity.

Dams such as Burrendong near Yass, Pindari at Goulburn and Keepit near Tamworth have overflowed in late winter and 25mm in most areas is causing minor floods in streams and rivers.

We should enjoy and lockdown spring in 2021 as one day the rains will stop.

When we are enjoying one of the best springs in a lifetime, we should also have a look at the way some properties are reacting to differing management strategies.

Well fertilised pastures that have been well improved some decades are looking almost lush, while close by there are properties that appear to be returning to nature.

Native grasses will take much longer to provide useful stock feed and livestock will not fatten properly til late spring or early summer.

The term "improved pastures" was used in the early 1950s and it helped to convert many acres of very poor soils into productive livestock systems.

RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:

STUD bull sales across the Central West have returned excellent results in every instance, with young sires being sold to many districts.

Ram sales of a variety of breeds and bloodlines are also giving good results, with shedding breeds attracting a lot of competition.

South Australian Poll Merino auctions appear to be achieving close to 100 per cent clearances and around $500 lift in sale averages.

Videos of dual purpose Merino rams are showing the great results of the studs that are breeding for meat and muscle as well as quality, elite wools.

When we look at overall auction results, we have to realise that some studs have spent a huge amount in breeding and marketing their stud stock.

We remember that in some cases "all that glitters is not gold".

CANDIDATES for Bathurst Regional Council elections in early December are starting to discuss some of their policies and right at the top of the lists is the proposed new private hospital and multi-storey car park on the former Clancy Motors site in Howick Street.

Robert Taylor is leading from the front with his strong support for the hospital on the chosen site.

Reference was often made that a bulk of pedestrians follow "ant trails" to popular businesses and tourist attractions and the proposed hospital site would certainly bring lots of foot traffic to that part of central Bathurst.

A SNAPSHOT of country Central Tablelands:

WEEK nine of the Australian wool market saw 34,184 bales offered for sale.

By the end of the week, we had seen a passed-in rate of more than 20 per cent, with the market dropping 1.3 per cent in Australian dollar terms, though basically firm in US dollar terms, this even after the Australian dollar had firmed 1.1 per cent during the week.

The devil is in the detail.

Clips carrying higher VM were most affected as traders find it difficult to sell any decent quantity of these types to satisfy the supply of these wools.

Lower VM fleece wool types (less than 1.5 per cent) were not so affected.

Italian and other European processors are really starting to get on the go again with demand growing from Europe and North America, thus the demand for Italian type wools is very good and these types are well supported.

Some mills were closed last year due to COVID-19 and demand for woollen products was subdued.

As these northern hemisphere economies start to get on the move again, you would like to think that this will reflect positively the merino apparel market.

China continues to buy, albeit with less vigour and thirst for wool prior to the recess.

They will need wool to fill the pipeline of their huge woollen textile industry.

Word of lockdown success in their fight to negate COVID-19 is on the wires, so this should have positive effects on your wool market.

Week 10 sees an estimated offering of 37,123 bales selling in all Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.

THE old wool cockie was just about done and he knew it.

He told his wife that he was leaving the John Deere tractor to son Joe.

"But Joe is too hard on machinery," Mum said.

Dad then said that he was leaving the stud sheep to daughter Josie.

"But Josie won't look after the young rams," Mum said.

Then Dad added he was leaving his workshop tools to grandson Oigle.

"But Oig doesn't take care with air tools," Mum said.

Dad sighed and said: "Oh, come on Mum, who's dying here?"

***

AN old mate was charged with stealing four slabs of XXXX.

The magistrate told him that he was discharged due to inconclusive evidence.

Old mate was confused and asked: "So it's OK if I keep the grog?"