The Boundary Rider’s Report December 2024

Yikes - Christmas is just a few weeks away.  We hope you have a very happy Christmas and excellent New Year celebrations with family and friends.  We really appreciate you reading our Boundary Rider’s Report and hope that you find something of interest in this one.

Season

We have had some big storms.  On Friday, 15th November we were on our way to Penrith to watch Arthur row and a severe storm rolled through Bald Blair.  The poplar trees near the woolshed were blown across the power lines.  The old feeders were dumped onto each other and one tree was spun around and snapped off.  Huge thanks to Essential Energy - they responded to our call and came out straight away to clear the line and connect the electricity again.  There are not many nails keeping the tin on the woolshed roof and we were so close to losing it!  The dams in the line of the storm are now full. We have installed a generator on the homestead and 2 other farm houses to ensure we can continue to run the farm, in the event of power outages. 

Moisture levels. High!!!

Rainfall charts

We have posted rainfall charts to our catalogue mailing list and dropped them into local rural merchants, and at the local saleyards, but if you missed out and would like one posted to you please let Kirsty know on 0427 722908 or kirstywhite@baldblair.com.au.  This year we are have put magnets in the top corner, so you will be able to stick them to your fridge and enjoy the image of Bald Blair Angus marble score 5 steak, before you open the door to see what's for dinner?! 

Market 

We have offloaded our cull ewes and sent a group of 5 steers to the Angus Shoot-out at Jindalee Feedlot.  We have also cleared the deck on steers with our last group heading to Rangers Valley Feedlot this week (thank you Kelly’s Transport), making way for the weaners to come through our finishing system at Kolora.

https://www.mla.com.au/prices-markets/cattle/nyci/

Cattlework

The stud calves have come through the yards again and their small management tag has been replaced by a new larger one, and the all important NLIS tag attached.  Their DNA has been taken and vaccinations updated.  Any calves that do not meet our specs at this point are culled to the commercial herd and we will continue to cull until we get to the best of the best. 

The bulls are coming out of the heifers and the bulls will be removed from the cows soon.  We will then split the bull calves and heifer calves before the heifers start cycling.  We are happy with how our bulls are performing in the paddock.  Their legs, hips and reproductive organs are holding up well with the work and they will receive a well deserved break shortly.  We have been monitoring them very closely to ensure they are still in good working condition.  We really value the opportunity to use our bulls as cover sires,  a proving ground for our genetics and ensure they are fit for purpose.

2025 Bull Sale Team

Save the date:  1pm, Tuesday, 5th August 2025 as our sale date for next year.  Please put this date in your diary, so you can plan to attend in person and experience the sale day atmosphere at Bald Blair Angus.  If you would like to be added to our bull sale catalogue mailing list please forward your postal address to Kirstywhite@baldblair.com.au. 

Operation Thistle Blitz

The nodding thistles are relentless at the moment and we haven’t even started on the blackberries yet!  We feel like we are fighting a losing battle… but are continuing to use as many resources as we can muster, to manage them as best we can.  It is a very frustrating and relentless campaign.

Pastures

Precision Pastures MLA MDC Project: Report from Milton Curkpatrick.   Since 2020, Bald Blair has participated in a MLA Donor Company Producer Demonstration (PDS) Site project across 10 participating farms in the New England Region of NSW. The project objective has been to analyse the “Grazing system impact on livestock production, soil moisture and soil organic carbon”. The project has been co-ordinated by Precision Pastures and has recently concluded after the 5 year period.

Sam & Kirsty set aside “Top Fitzroy’s” and Gatwood paddocks where 4 soil moisture probes, a NDVI sensor and a remote rain gauge were set up at strategic sites according to soil type. Ninety soil samples were also collected and tested annually.

The key findings from the project  indicate there are now probably more questions than answers. As a consequence, Precision Pastures will be actively promoting the setting up of a new science based trial project in 2025 to further analyse the relationship between soil organic carbon %, soil moisture holding capacity and pasture biomass production. 

The key insights from the project results include:

1. 60% of all sites increased average SOC% levels at 0-10cm over the 5 years, while 100% increased average SOC% at 10-30cm
2. Solving soil health issues do result in the highest and most consistent increases in soil organic carbon
3. The greatest increase in average SOC% was evidenced in the change of activity from crop to pasture
4. Zero change in activity = zero or negative SOC% increases
5. Basalt soils sequester carbon at 3-4 times the rate of granite soils

Milton is retiring soon and we would like to extend our sincere thanks to him for his advice for over 10 years.  We started working with Milton to map our properties, then to do soil tests across Kolora to enable variable fertiliser application, which has improved the productivity of this finishing block immensely.  We wish him all the very best in his retirement. 

Sheep

Lamb marking is done and dusted for another year!  Lambs, as big as ever.  When we start artificial insemination/joining in 2025, we need to start lamb marking too.  There were a few issues with fitting the lambs in the cradle and lucky we had some young backs to do the heavy lifting.  The numnuts worked a treat and thank you Guyra District vets for keeping up the supply of the pain relief for the lambs. https://numnuts.au/ There are some good videos on their website and if you like a Scottish accent you might enjoy them even more.

Fencing

Taylor and Lindsay McDonald’s golden pliers are working their magic. They have finished the boundary fence and yard repairs at our Aberfoyle block, which will assist greatly with neighbourly relations and biosecurity.  They are now at Gatwood redoing the horse yard for the house, renewing internal fences and incorporating a tree guard down near the creek for next year's tree planing.

Trees

Thank you Steph Sweeney for planting the native trees and shrubs including: eucalyptus dalrympleana (mountain gum), eucalyptus melliodora (yellow box), eucalyptus pauciflora (snow gum), eucalyptus stellulata (black sallee), acacia baileyana (cottamundra wattle).  While this was a smaller tree guard with 295 trees planted, we will use the remaining trees to replace any trees lost in older tree guards. 

We inspected the older tree guards and while some have really taken off and are away, other trees have been swamped by weeds and grasses that we have not been able to remove in time and we will have to go back and replant trees. 

Work Health and Safety

Farming accounts for one in every five worker deaths. Common hazards include quad bikes, animal handling, biosecurity hazards, tree work, noise and electrical work. Below you will find information about recent serious incidents and safety information to help protect you and your workplace. 

Agriculture | SafeWork NSW

On the WHS theme, hopefully we will not be seen on this facebook page… Crap Loading Ramps Australia    https://www.facebook.com/groups/959631335631645/. It has a huge following, so must resonate with everyone in the livestock industry, truckies, farmers and team members.  For information on how to have the best loading facilities check out: https://www.mla.com.au/extension-training-and-tools/resource-hubs/transport-hub/preparing-the-yards/

What does it take to make a net zero steak?

This event was held at UNE on Friday, 15th November 2024 and Sam attended.

UNE is home to world leaders in this space.

Funding

The Round 2 of the On Farm Connectivity Program - information for Primary Producers was only opened for a week before it was oversubscribed.  Did you miss out or were you lucky enough to get your application in? 

More funding may become available, so make sure you are application ready when it is released as I am sure it will be sucked up just as quickly again.

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/better-connectivity-plan-regional-and-rural-australia/farm-connectivity-program/farm-connectivity-program-information-primary-producers

EVENTS

Congratulations to the very hard working committee of the Guyra Timepiece Campdraft, for organising a tremendous weekend.  Check out their social media pages for results.  I especially liked seeing the young Guyra riders participating - I expect there will be a fair bit of campdrafting at Guyra pony camp this year.  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567114017738

Feeder Steer School 2.0

Get your tickets now! 

The Feeder Steer School will be an immersive three-day conference.

Date: Mon Feb 10, 2025 5:30 pm - Feb 13, 2025 5:30 pm

Location: University of New England

Contact: Peter McGilchrist  pmcgilc2@une.edu.au 6773 1845

Key Event Features:

- Presentations by top experts in genetic selection, pasture improvement, animal health, and risk management.

- Hands-on learning activities including phenotypic cattle selection, data-driven decision-making and carcass value insights.

- Opportunities for networking through sponsor dinners, workshops, and panel discussions.

- Dedicated space for sponsor engagement with participants and industry leaders.

- A full agenda designed to provide value across the supply chain, from on-farm practices to feedlot management and market optimisation.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/feeder-steer-school-20-tickets-1029587673447?aff=ehometext

World Angus Forum 

Save the Date: 7-8 May 2025

Bonus 8 Day pre-tour starting 29 April 

(including a visit to Bald Blair on Monday 5th May !)

Extra Bonus  7 Day post-tour until 15 May

Calling all cattle enthusiasts and breeders to the 2025 Neogen World Angus Forum! This event unites the global Angus community to share knowledge, promote the breed, and advance cattle breeding and management, plus also to have a good time. Hosted by Angus Australia, it’s an unmissable opportunity to celebrate, learn and catch up with international friends breeding Angus Cattle.

More information: CLICK HERE

Here is a recently published video of Sam talking about the WAF: https://www.facebook.com/worldangusforum/videos/498895886529631

LISTENING

Succession planning and being future ready

Do you have a transition plan for your family business and are you future ready?  This is an interesting podcast about the importance of knowledge transfer, so the next generation has the skills set and knowledge to run the family business.  Insights about financial security for each generation and risk management for unforeseen circumstances. Is procrastination an issue?

https://business.nab.com.au/succession-planning-and-being-future-ready/

Genetics In the Paddock with Emily

Genetics in the Paddock with Emily, from NSW DPI, is a podcast about livestock genetics and its impact on agriculture. ents in livestock genetics, bringing you insights from experts in the field.

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/genetics-in-the-paddock-with-emily/id1716267882

A primary producer’s perspective on the 3G shutdown

In this episode, host Joshua Groch speaks with Peter Thompson, a Queensland farmer and connectivity advocate, about the impacts of the recent 3G network shutdown on rural and remote communities.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1k3U7KwWIWy3kGw9Twvur9?si=ZvrWQIA7ReKsz-Jr3BQt7A

WATCHING

Have you always wondered where the jelly beans come from?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCiwsKZzcOV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

READING

The History of Bees by Maja Lunde

https://www.amazon.com.au/History-Bees-Maja-Lunde/dp/147116277X?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

If you made it this far into the blog - thank you for reading and please let us know what you are doing on your farm, any tips or tricks, and what you are reading, watching and listening to, so we can share with our community.

We wish you and your family a very happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

See you in 2025!

Sam & Kirsty