The Boundary Rider’s Report November 2024

Welcome to the November Boundary Rider’s Report, we really appreciate you taking the time to check it out.

Thank you to the bidders and underbidders of our 17 PTIC commercial autumn cows sold on Auctions plus.  We wish the new owners all the best with this line of cows.

We sold a line of steers to Rangers Valley Feedlot in October, with the next line going in 3 weeks.

Season

We have received 32mm of rain from storms on Monday.  This rain has provided a very timely top up to our water storage and with reasonable ground cover and grass we should capture every drop received.  The moisture probes have shown a sharp rise in soil moisture as a consequence of recent rain, with top soil drying up in the past 2 weeks of hot dry winds.    Storms are appearing each afternoon at the moment.  With warm weather, the grass growth is massive.

We are in the process of printing rainfall charts and will be posting them out before the start of December.  If you would like one sent to you please let Kirsty know on 0427 722908 or kirstywhite@baldblair.com.au.  This year we are putting 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 

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

Cattlework

We have finished AI (Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer) for the stud spring herd and have the bulls out cleaning up.  This year was a condensed program, which seemed hectic at the time, but a lot more efficient use of time and resources. While it was good to use contractors for the first round, we appreciated the opportunity to keep our skills up with the second round and it will be interesting to see what the pregnancy testing results show.

It is great to get our home grown sires out there working in our stud and commercial herds, the proving ground for our genetics.  The sires selected for this joining season, both Stud and Commercial will be available at our bull sale in 2025. 

We will now commence with DNA testing stud calves and updating their management tags.

Before Christmas we will separate the stud cows with bull calves from the stud cows with heifer calves. 

2025 Bull Sale Team

Video highlights from the 2024 Bald Blair Angus Bull sale https://www.baldblairangus.com.au/bull-sale

We have settled on 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.

Operation Thistle Blitz

The nodding thistles are relentless and the second and third wave of followup plant spraying continues and we keep going back to contain them.  This appears an issue around the New England for a lot of us;  notably as a consequence of a warmer winter there was not the usual  frost impact on these weeds, so they appear more prolific.  Once again we are using the quick spray and spray kits on the buggies.  Plus the old fashioned maddock to chip out the singles - although there are not that many singles.

Pastures

We are preparing a number of paddocks for pasture renovation, in 2025  We are expecting it to be a massive season for new pasture renovation.  We have found a multi species seed combination of Fescue, Phalaris, Cocksfoot, Perennial Rye, Red and White Clove, Plantain and Puna Chickory and Brohme to be a very resilient mix under the current circumstances.

Sheep

We will commence lamb marking next week, when we have some young fellas on hand to do the heavy lifting.

Fencing

We welcome Taylor and Lindsay McDonald back with their golden plier fencing skills.  They have already fixed some much needed boundary gates down at our block near Aberfoyle.  Their workmanship is so good - the job is done once and will not need to be done again in my life time.  We appreciate their skills are in high demand and appreciate the opportunity to have them on farm for a while.

Trees

We have prepared another tree guard at the back of Bald Blair and have a selection of mixed native trees and shrubs for planting, including: eucalyptus dalrympleana (mountain gum), eucalyptus melliodora (yellow box), eucalyptus pauciflora (snow gum), eucalyptus stellulata (black sallee), acacia baileyana (cottamundra wattle).  Thank you Black Mountain Nursery for preparing these trees for us, they look fantastic and with the summer storms, have a good chance of survival.  They will be taking orders in January for plantings in October if you need trees for next year.  Chinese proverb: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now." 

Funding

NOW OPEN: Round 2 of the On Farm Connectivity Program - information for Primary Producers:

Primary Producers seeking to participate in the Program must purchase eligible equipment from a business on the List of Approved Suppliers to benefit from a rebate of up to 50% of the cost of the eligible equipment. The value of the rebate is between $1,000 (minimum) and $30,000 (maximum) (GST exclusive). You can find further information about the Program including a List of Approved Suppliers on the department’s website (On Farm Connectivity Program), including Program documentation and Frequently Asked Questions. The round will remain open until 5pm AEST 31 May 2025 or until the funding runs out, whichever comes first however new applications will cease at 5pm AEST 30 April 2025.

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

Transport Hub

For all your livestock transport information check out these links: 

https://www.facebook.com/meatandlivestockaustralia/videos/3728166247396220

https://www.mla.com.au/transport-hub

FarmSafety

https://www.farmsafe.org.au/content/product/Toolbox%20Talks/

Training

Keep this in mind for next year, as an employer or if you know someone looking for a career in ag.

https://agcareerstart.com.au/

Marcus Minds

Are you looking for some good resources as a farmer to stay healthy mentally and physically, then check out this site: https://www.marcusminds.com/

EVENTS

There are some great local events coming up.  Check them out here:

What does it take to make a net zero steak?

Friday, 15 November 2024

8:30 am  2:30 pm

University of New England

https://www.unesri.com.au/event-listings/whats-it-take-to-make-a-zet-zero-steak

Weaning Update

Elders Guyra - Happy Healthy Weaners - Optimising Weaning Performance

5pm, Tuesday, 19th November  at the Guyra Bowling Club. 

RSVP Sarah.gwilm@elders.com.au 6770 7000

Ebor Beef

AGM and dinner

Thursday 21st November 2024

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1311631

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1311631?fbclid=IwY2xjawGOHMdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZb1V2C1YRO-wCPXtESWKCd36LrC6XXkemmTdUYgQLnGKOGjIbW_F6KxFg_aem_sGLvNFBaM8bmSsDN-pf3aA

Guyra Timepiece Campdraft

Friday, 22 November until Sunday 24th November

Affiliated with the Australian CampdraftAssociation (ACA), the

2024 Guyra Campdraft is set to be held from Friday November 22nd through to Sunday November 24th at the Guyra Showgrounds.

The Guyra Time Piece Campdraft will be a 3 day family orientated sporting experience with competitive campdrafting events, raffles, a licenced bar with music and catering facilities. The local VRA will be in attendance to provide essential First Aid support. We anticipate over 500 visitors to the GuyraShowground, setting up camp for 2--4 nights.

Efficient Beef Open Day,

Wednesday, 27th November 2024

The 2024 Efficient Beef Open Day, happening on Wednesday, November 27th at the University of New England's JP Belshaw Lecture Theatre. The event will feature the latest research updates on mature cow efficiency, methane challenges, and Southern Multibreed analysis. Attendees can tour the UNE Tullimba research feedlot and inspect Angus Sire Benchmarking Program steers. Hosted in conjunction with UNE and NSW DPI, the Open Day provides lunch and networking opportunities. Register by Friday, November 1, 2024, and contact Hanlie Jansen for details at hanlie.jansen@angusaustralia.com.au or 0427 943 436.

https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/news/2024-efficient-beef-field-day?utm_content=buffere4756&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Ladies in Livestock

Ladies in Livestock will be welcoming Dr Peter McGilchrist (UNE) to discuss meat quality, specifically dark cutting and Lachlan Jeffers (MLA) to discuss processor feedback and the MLA myFeedback program. Bring your laptop and data for an interactive session.

Walcha – 28th November 2024

Guyra – 29th November 2024

Tenterfield – 3rd December 2024

Inverell – 4th December 2024

For more information and to register, please follow the link below: 

https://comms.lls.nsw.gov.au/pub/pubType/EO/pubID/zzzz6708a3519aece977/interface.html

Contact: Sara Paton T (02) 6770 2000    M 0457 029 235     E sara.paton@lls.nsw.gov.au 

Beef Cattle Assessment Course 

Now celebrating its 44th year, it has been widely recognised as the most practical and hands on beef cattle selection course of its kind. It has been copied in most Australian States and NZ using the basic principles developed through experience.

The course embraces both newcomers and experienced cattle producers alike. A great deal of time and thought goes into the selection of the overjudges. They must possess the practical and communicative skills necessary to ensure all participants receive maximum benefit, given the varied levels of experience of participants.

Although this course is organised by NSW Angus State Committee it is open to all beef cattle enthusiasts. It utilises both Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus breeds and their crosses over the duration of the course.

The Beef Cattle Assessment course is committed to the education of its participants in all aspects of the beef industry. We strive to make it challenging but also fun.

December 2 – 4, 2024

Entrant Live-In $ 715.00

Entrant Non-Resident $ 605.00

Email: leanne-stuart6@bigpond.com

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

Watching

The latest lamb campaign:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31BBh7tjpJo

Reading

Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Boys_in_the_Boat

Please keep in touch and let us know what is happening in your world. What is happening on your farm, do you have an event you would like us to share with our network or a great tip or trick.

Sam & Kirsty