The onset of another La Nina event during late spring caused serious disruption to the grain and canola harvest, heartbreak for many, and costly downgrades in most districts.

Sale results for beef, sheepmeat and wool are really positive and livestock traders are looking hard for trading options.

There doesn't seem to be much upside in young weaner cattle at $2300 landed home and store lambs at $160 could have it all in front of them.

Paddocks full of two feet high grass can be a great heart-starter.

The Ballarat first cross sale of 18-month-old and ewe lambs eased on earlier values with 18-month-olds averaging $359 and ewe lambs averaging $204.

The feature line of 220 young ewes that were described in this column last week went to a Malmsbury producer at $490 and will be joined to Poll Dorset rams.

LOCAL government election results are very slow coming and may just be known by Christmas, but most councillors are obvious down to the last couple.

Residents of the Central Tablelands know that our district has a great future and our Bathurst council will miss its hardest working councillors who were defeated at the poll.

Former councillors who were defeated must be thanked for their years of service to our region and I'm sure they will continue to assist those in our town who need a hand.

RECENT RURAL NOTEBOOK COLUMNS:

THE recent sudden death of Bathurst resident Paul Sams has revived memories of one of our very best sportsmen as he was Charlestons and Western Division fullback in their premiership and Amco Cup wins in the mid-1970s.

Paul was also a member of two cricket premierships in the late 1960s; in that team were his dad Ken and brothers John, David and Peter. That team was called West End.

THIS will be the last Rural Notebook column for 2021, so a few thank yous are in order.

To Richard Butcher and formerly Mark Horsburgh for the weekly Nutrien Wool Market Report, and to Murray Nicholls, Matthew Watson, Maureen Lawson and Mark Logan for providing space in the Western Advocate, Oberon Review and Blayney Chronicle each Thursday.

CHRISTMAS is not all peace and joy for a lot of people, but we can hope that 2022 will bring them better health and friendship from people that they meet.

The marked decline in church involvement has taken away some of the opportunities to talk with friends, but a visit to a Christmas service at any church will make any of us feel wanted.

A lot of work goes into Christmas hampers and free Christmas lunch and everyone will be made welcome.

Details of these offers can be found on Facebook, Twitter or the Western Advocate.

A COUPLE of closing comments:

ROSEMARY and I extend the compliments of the season to our readers.

We hope that our look at country Central Tablelands is of interest to you and that you can smile at the yarns that you haven't heard before.

Good luck and good health for Christmas, and please, never forget that your family and friends are always your greatest asset.

AS we move closer to the Christmas recess, week 23, with an offering of 36,703 bales, showed increases in all merino types.

The Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) moved up 1.04 per cent to close the week 14ac/kg up at 1360ac/kg.

There were some very large gains in some of the finer types which had very good specifications and low vegetable matter as buyers made sure they secured these better wools prior to the Christmas break.

Chinese processors were very active, as they are not only buying for domestic manufacturing but also re-exported product.

The last day finished with strength as the buyers were very keen to get these better types.

For instance, some 18.0 micron and finer fleece and pieces types were up to 100ac/kg dearer on selected lots.

Finer crossbred types less than 26.5 micron showed gains of up to 20ac/kg.

Week 24 has an initial estimated offering of 42,036 bales to finish the calendar year.

THE old trotting driver had passed away and a local trainer was called in to identify the body.

He looked under the first sheet, then a second and finally a third.

He looked glumly at the cop and said: "Again, he didn't run a place."

***

GEORGE had a roll of $50 notes after the last race and a friend asked if he had a system.

"Too right," he said. "I got on a number 5 bus, it stopped five times on the trip and a racebook was $5. Three fives told me 16, so I backed the bolter at 16 and here I am."

***

TWO six-year-old girls were discussing the pros and cons of Santa.

"No, I don't believe in Santa," one said. "It's like the Devil; it's your father."

***

TO close off: if you are lonely over the holidays, just start talking loudly about climate change and someone will arrive and start arguing.