The livestock producers who endured the huge cost of retaining the bulk of their herds and flocks through many dry years are certainly being rewarded during the past two years.

The general shortage of cattle and sheep is being reflected in markets across the eastern states but not everyone is rejoicing.

The prospect of buying 200 replacement heifers at $2000 each rejoined is a daunting prospect for any breeder, but paddocks full of green feed is a temptation to enter the market.

THE majority of business operators would acknowledge that in many cases they are building on the work of past generations.

If we take this tale to the farming industry we have to accept that there were plenty of breeders of excellent cattle and sheep in the Central Tablelands as our country recovered from World War 2.

In the wool industry our district was blessed with a lot of very capable wool specialists and they experienced the wool boom that coincided with the Korean War.

Which raises the question; are our modern day sheep much better than the Bundemar, Buttabone, Merryville or Egelabra sheep that our grandfathers bred in the 1950s?

It's easy to quote figures and show photos but it's also important to take a deep breath and answer the question quietly.

THIS is an opportune time to say thank you to the breeders of good quality livestock that have kept our rural businesses rolling through a succession of droughty years and many serious fluctuations in commodity markets.

Stud masters go to great lengths and serious costs to breed the many types of animals that are required and the long-time commercial breeders are the backbone of red meat and wool markets.

Most modern breeders "let the bulls and rams do the talking" and very few stud masters ever spruik the qualities of their animals.

Very little notice is usually taken of the spruikers as most producers know that reputation is everything for all of us.

FAREWELL to retired Bathurst veterinarian Nick Scott, who passed away recently.

Nick conducted a private practice in Vittoria Street for some years before linking up with Stewart Street Vets where he was greatly appreciated by his many clients.

Nick's careful manner and his voluntary work with WIRES will not be forgotten.

FORMER Bathurst businessman John Keogh also died in recent weeks.

He is remembered as a member of one of Bathurst's pioneering families and as the former owner of MI Steel in Kircaldy Street.

John is remembered for his strong family and work ethics.

RECENT weeks have been exciting for Shirley and Ted Lewis of Barker Circuit, Kelso, who are about to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

Shirley and Ted were married on October 21, 1961 at the Anglican Church in Lithgow and came home to reside at Fitzgeralds Valley.

Shirley is also celebrating the 25th anniversary of her ordainment as an Anglican priest and she has served in parishes as far away at Nyngan.

Ted was a handy cricketer in his youth and he turned 80 around Easter time this year.

Congratulations Shirley and Ted and thank you for your efforts to make a better world for all of us.

OUR country's gradual recovery from the COVID pandemic should see our citizens enjoy a lot of the things that they once took for granted.

Young people will appreciate getting back to the order of being back at school and their parents should appreciate the value of school teachers.

Former premier Gladys Berejiklian was a tower of strength and common sense throughout the pandemic and it's a shame that she won't be at the forefront as the state opens up.

Our citizens must be proud of our local state member Paul Toole as he becomes deputy premier and this seems a real reward for him being a good listener and a non-stop worker for the community in his seat of Bathurst.

Paul has had a great career on Evans Shire Council, as mayor of Bathurst Regional Council, as Member for Bathurst and now deputy premier, but it's likely that his career could be just starting.

DURING the past few weeks a few health problems have made me visit the new Bloomfield Private Hospital in South Orange and it seems to be a great ultra modern facility.

Even though I've been out of warranty for many years, it still makes me see the urgent need for Bathurst citizens to support the approval of the construction of our projected Private Hospital in Howick Street.

Generations of Bathurstians who will follow us deserve to have a facility in our city that matches our near neighbours in Orange. Please Bathurst, get on with it.

Friday, October 15: Blink Bonnie, Tarana, 80 rams and 700 store sheep.

Sunday, October 24: Fosterfield Finewools, 40 rams at Dunkeld.

Thursday, November 4: Mount Bathurst poll dorsets, 80 rams at Black Springs.

THE past week of Australian wool sales saw an initial offering of 35,443 bales.

At the beginning of the week most of the intel was leaning towards a softer market as traders had been quiet in their sales over the weekend

By the end of the week, though, the Eastern Market Indicator had moved up 2ac to 1339ac/kg.

Wools finer than 18 micron were up to 30ac/kg dearer with the lower VM, better style and strength types being sought after by our Italian friends.

The increase in these types also dragged along the finer types that aren't suitable for Italy and Europe. 18.5 micron and broader were basically unchanged for the week.

A large Chinese topmaker topped the buying list for the merino fleece. Italy, India and a large European topmaker continue to offer good competition in the sale room.

Merino cardings were slightly cheaper for the week.

Any cardings with a high hard head percentage ie Bathurst burr are unloved as carbonisers find it very difficult to process these types of wools.

The crossbred market continues to be a stone in our shoe with demand being poor.

Global stocks continue to build as supply is outstripping demand. Let us hope that with people starting to go back to their offices to work, hotels starting to open and airlines starting to fly again that they will all need refurbishments of interior textiles and this increases the need for crossbred types.

This week sees an estimated offering of 42,755 bales against an offering of 28,346 bales in the same sale last year.

This time last year the EMI was 1022ac/kg compared to 1339ac/kg at present.

Richard Butcher, Nutrien Wool

THE cockie at the bar told the bar girl: "I'm happy out in the paddock with a can of bourbon, the wife's biscuits and a cattle dog." She queried "why the dog?"and was told, "well somethin's gotta eat the missus' biscuits".

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THE young cockie asked: "Sir, I want your daughter for my wife." Sir said: "I'm not swapping 'til I have had a good look at your wife."

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A LADY doctor explained to Seamus how Mother Nature made adjustments: "If a man is blind he usually has a great sense of hearing and touch, if he is deaf he often has excellent sight." Seamus thought for a while and said: "I know what you mean doc, I've noticed that if a man has a short leg then the other one is always a bit longer." (Sorry Gerry.)