Just before the check-in to the Bathurst Waste Management Centre (rubbish tip in English), we see acres of St John's Wort in its full flowering glory, as golden as canola.

A friend tells me that he knows of a big paddock of serrated tussock in bull seed that he estimates would "strip two bags to the acre".

A RUN of warm, sunny days has given our cherry growers a new lease of life as some varieties are still to ripen and they have missed the serious damage from recent record rains.

We must spare a thought for the cereal and oilseed growers who have suffered really big losses and who were within weeks of record crops and a rare chance to put money away.

A wise veteran farmer from Trundle in the Central West was quoted: "Oh well, that's what bank managers are for."

RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:

THERE are lots of comments on the number of lame sheep that can be seen on district properties and it's easy to guess that the problem is likely to be virulent footrot.

In many cases, the problem may be foot scald or virulent footrot that usually comes and goes as moist conditions occur.

District producers who used concrete ponds, about 15 centimetres deep and big enough to hold 80 to 100 adult sheep, seemed to control foot scald very well.

They mostly used 20 kilograms of zinc sulphate for 100 litres of water and stood the sheep in them for at least one hour.

Other producers used Radicate for more serious disease and pared feet properly.

A FINAL reminder for a country music special at the Burraga Hall this Saturday at 7pm.

Lindsay Butler, Tommy Maxwell, Shaze Leigh and Penny Gilchrist will present a great program with a $25 charge.

Don't forget to request Lindsay to play Camooweal as every old cockie will whistle the tune on the way home.

COUNTING in council elections is only halfway done as this column is being written, so a few broad comments only at this stage:

THE farming community usually stick together through thick and thin and most love to hear a good success story.

Without names, this Gippsland breeder sold a draft of 250 weaner calves at a Pakenham store sale last week.

He was quoted: "Some years ago we were over the moon with $500 per head and this mob averaged $1971. These prices are amazing and certainly exceeded our expectations."

A quick calculation tells us of a large cash sum that will probably be largely spent in Bairnsdale and will support many small businesses.

Livestock prices that are comparable to those mentioned are flowing through every country town and it's great to see a lot of country families with their heads up.

T.B. White and Sons, Ballarat are conducting a top drawer auction of first cross Border Merino ewes at the CVL selling complex tomorrow, December 10, at 10am.

Although the sale will take place many kilometres from our district, it is of real interest that almost every lot has been mulesed and Gudair vaccinated.

A pen of 450 ewes is described as June/July 2020 drop, Nov. shorn, Gudair vacc., mulesed, drenched Triguard, 6 in 1 vacc; B12, Eryvac, ex Stavely Park Merinos by Rogers BL rams.

If these ewes bring $475, they have probably earned it.

FOLLOWING the very positive and buoyant atmosphere at the close of week 21, the opening and continuance of week 22's sale was in the same vein.

Although the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) only improved by 5ac to 1346ac/kg, the devil is in the detail as the discounts for off-beat types really closed up compared with what we have been experiencing.

There was an offering of 41,362 bales Australia-wide in which we saw strong buying from all areas of the global wool market.

The upcoming three-week recess seems to be auguring well for the price of wool as everyone is trying to secure space on vessels to secure a flow of raw materials into their factories.

The Australian dollar dropping 0.6 per cent in US dollar terms and 1.34 per cent in Euro terms for the week may also be helping the fortunes of our wool market as the lower exchange rates help the buyers if they are buying in these currencies.

The crossbred market was basically unchanged for the week.

Week 23 has an estimated offering of 41,269 bales Australia-wide.

A FRIEND says that his three kids think he is God. They only really talk to him when they want something.

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"HALF the councillors are crooks," the new councillor said. The mayor told him to rephrase. "Sorry, Mr Mayor," he said, "half the councillors are not crooks."

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"MY girlfriend has had 61 boyfriends before me," he told us. "She often calls me her sixty second lover."

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AFTER two nights out, a new girlfriend told him: "I would never, ever sleep with a boy 'til I knew him for six months." "Okay, honey," he said, "I'll call you back closer to the time."