It has been a while since we have done a Boundary Rider’s Report, but we are back in the saddle and reporting on what is happening on the farm and out and about. 

Our circumstances have changed significantly since our last report. Stock prices have collapsed and we are looking down the barrel of another dry spell.  We are stocking up on feed, reviewing budgets and drought plans to adjust to the new reality of farming in the last quarter of 2023.

We are in the middle of our Artificial Insemination (AI) and breeding program.  We have completed the first round of AI for our stud and commercial cows and heifers.   Peter & Fayette Brown and the team at Bovine Breeders have been exceptional as always with their service and support of our AI and embryo program.

We have dusted off the Faresin feed mixer, that has not been used since the end of 2019 and have put it back into action.  We are supplementary feeding our stud cows and heifers while they are close to the yards for AI as these paddocks see the most action and have the most pressure on them. 

Lambing has been exceptional this year, we think due to the very dry and warm conditions.  However as we write this blog we are currently experiencing a cold snap combined with smoke haze.  We will commence lamb marking shortly and look forward to seeing the numbers at the end.  We will need all the lambs we can grow to make up for the dramatic decrease in price.

Seasonal Update at Bald Blair

Moisture probe information: suggests that water levels in the basalt soils are reasonable at 50cm, whereas in the top 20cm the soil has dried out significantly, and continues to do so.  This does suggest that should rain occur, one would expect deep rooted plants will thrive quite quickly, once the top soils fill. 

On our lighter soils, soil moisture at depth and in the top 20cm has dropped significantly;  quite obviously, even the deep rooted perennials are struggling.  In our lighter country, we have removed stock where we can and feeding is well and truly underway.  The age old question remains, when will it rain?.  Strategies we are looking at include, early weaning of lambs and possibly calves, in those lighter soil areas in the event of no rain moving forward. 

The rain charts for the year in the Guyra area show over 450mm year to date.  https://www.eldersweather.com.au/local-forecast/nsw/bald-blair 

My thoughts on when rain may occur are simply a guess.  While I have a view that less than average rain will occur in the November December period it is based on BOM forecasts for that period.  I am of the view that any rain is good rain and I hope it is not far away.

Market Update

We continue to see downward pressure on prices in both cattle and sheep markets.  I hope they have bottomed.  I would expect that should rain eventuate that both markets will tighten significantly.  I, like most others, are seeing only small corrections in pricing of beef and lamb at the supermarkets, especially when the price of livestock has fallen mostly by 50% on the prior year, and in some instances more.  Someone’s got to be making money, but at this moment it is not the producer.  Traders have more than likely sold and realised losses on most stock purchased prior to the downturn, as the next opportunity presents itself in cattle and sheep markets. 
https://www.mla.com.au/prices-markets/cattle/eycireport/. 

Wool Sales

We attended the wool sales with Stephanie Cameron and John (Bluey) Newsome, Tom Henry & Craig Brennan from Elders Wool in Sydney on 29th August.  This was our first time to the Yenoora site https://elders.com.au/our-services/our-branches/nsw/elders-yennora/

We really appreciated the hospitality and expertise of the Elders team and a big shout out to Stephanie Cameron who is a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic wool agent with a huge career ahead of her.

https://www.awex.com.au/auction/

Ladies in Livestock

Ladies in Livestock is back with the Rural Fire Service to discuss preparedness and management options with the ongoing hotter and drier than average conditions. Topics include: Fire preparedness – developing your bushfire survival plan/farm fire plan.

Early weaning - practical tips and benefits of adding early weaning to this year’s management practices. If current conditions continue, early weaning is a management option that needs to be considered. Calves and lambs weaned early need to be managed well.

Locations -                                                           

Walcha – Tuesday 31st October 2023: Walcha Veterinary Supplies, 6 Aberbaldie Rd, Walcha                                                              Guyra – Wednesday 1st November 2023: Guyra Bowling and Recreation Club, 192 Bradley St, Guyra                                             

Inverell – Tuesday 7th November 2023: Inverell Golf Club, 4076 Bundarra Road, Inverell                                                             

Tenterfield – Wednesday 8th November 2023: Tenterfield Golf Club, 288 Pelham St, Tenterfield

Time – 10am – 2pm

Morning tea and lunch provided.

RSVP

Walcha - https://tix.yt/XRQ

Guyra - https://tix.yt/YRQ

Inverell - https://tix.yt/ZRQ

Tenterfield - https://tix.yt/1RQ

BredWell FedWell

We are very appreciative of the opportunity to host a BredWell FedWell workshop next year.  So keep Friday 15 March 2024 free, this workshop will be held here at Bald Blair, Guyra.  These workshops are very good and well worth attending.  More details will be available closer to the date, and we’ll keep you updated through subsequent boundary riders reports. https://www.mla.com.au/extension-training-and-tools/Bred-Well-Fed-Well/ 

 
Kelly’s Cottage Farm Stay

Kelly’s Cottage is fully renovated with a new kitchen and bathroom.  The cottage sleeps 6 and enjoys lovely views over the farm.  We are available for farm tours.  Please see our website for bookings or contact us directly. https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/37866065?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=292f443e-f202-4b4c-82fe-90c7f550a88c 

Westpac Rescue Helicopter

Elders Agents, Wayne Jenkyn, along with John Newsome, attended Yennora Wool Selling Centre with 4 bales of wool to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.  Bald Blair were one of a number of their clients that donated fleeces to support this wonderful cause. 

The 4 bales, which comprised of 3 - Bales FLC Wool & 1 - Bale of BLS sold for a whopping $9429‼️  Wayne & John participated in the annual ride for the chopper cycling from Woolgoolga to Tamworth.  They called into the Bald Blair Public School and it was great to catch up with them and the other riders on their way through. https://www.facebook.com/rescuehelicopter

19for19

Arthur and Kirsty, Suzie, Duncan and Darby, joined The Armidale School (TAS) team of almost 300 to take part in 19 for Nineteen last Sunday, a kilometre for every year of the life of Anya Zubuer who succumbed to osteosarcoma in 2020. The walk is the prime fund raiser for Anya's Wish which has so far raised nearly $700,000 for the work of the Children's Cancer Institute into this insidious disease. The TAS team, including students, parents and staff both on the track and in support, was again by far the largest in the event making up almost half of all participants. Well done to all involved, for helping make a difference.  Congratulations to Jim Pennington and team for organising this event and our participation.

https://www.facebook.com/19for19AnyasWish

Remember,  keep making decisions in tough times, they will end.  Keep in touch and see you all soon. 

Sam & Kirsty