The Boundary Rider’s Report February 2024
Welcome to our February Boundary Rider’s Report.  In this report bulls, 18 months old, available for sale by Private Treaty.  Bald Blair & market updates, top 5 tips for pregnancy testing, pasture management, and upcoming events like BredWell FedWell, Ladies in Livestock & Prograze workshops. Please read on.

Bulls for Sale

We are offering a group of bulls 18 Months of age for sale in the Autumn, by Private Treaty for those clients who wish to consider purchasing Bulls for Autumn Joining.  Anyone wishing to discuss their bull breeding needs, please do not hesitate to call 0438 792 140 or email me samwhite@baldblair.com.au.

Seasonal Update at Bald Blair

We have had 109 mm here at Bald Blair,  our season is good, our pastures are lapping it up, the heat combined with the wet, is growing a lot of grass.  Like a lot I note dams getting low, as any rain we are getting is not running off here anyway.  On our associated properties East of here, run off has occurred with rain YTD upto 170 mm.  Cows and calves all doing well. 

Market Update

The Beef market is a lot better than 6 months ago and improving.  The EYCI has come of its November 2023 lows and currently sits around 366 c/kg lwt.  Steer prices to feedlots are in a good spot at this time.  Prices coming off a bit as more stock come on the market.  We have sold Bald Blair Angus steers to Rangers Valley Feedlot. 

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

Autumn Herd

We have been tagging autumn calves from our stud heifers and stud cows. 

Pregnancy Testing

We pregnancy tested the spring heifers on 30th January and were very happy with the results. On Wednesday the 7th February we preg tested the spring cows and overall achieved a 92% in calf rate.  We are very happy with this result.  Nick Butcher was as efficient as ever and we were only just able to keep the stock up to him.  All hands were on deck including Alice Mabin, Agrishots to photo and video the day. 

Sam's top 5 tips for pregnancy testing cattle:

1. Ensure updated stock records with joining details clearly delineating AI from natural matings.  This allows good identification of age of foetus at time of joining, for example 110 days since AI, then cover sire from 90 days.
2. Book your local vet or contract scanner for pregnancy testing and provide details of cattle numbers, and dates of joinings.
3. Plan cattle movements a day prior to testing, so cattle are close to yards, to streamline mustering.
4. The day before testing, if warranted have a team briefing on mustering and drafting to ensure a smooth and efficient day in the yards.
5. Analyse results, identify opportunities to improve.  Last year was a challenging time to join, as Sept/Oct was extremely dry.

Pastures & Weeds

We have sown new pastures here at Bald Blair, some paddocks still sown down to annual rye as cleaning pasture to assist in removal of rat fescue.  Other paddocks sown down to new perennial pasture mix, here at Bald Blair and on our associated properties. 

We are overwhelmed with weeds this season including Knodding Thistle and Black Berry.  It remains a massive job just just to keep them at bay. 

Sheep EID Rebate

As you are aware, industry and government (at a state and national level) have agreed to transition towards mandatory electronic identification (eID) for sheep and farmed goats nation-wide.  The NSW Government has released an industry implementation plan for the roll out of eID tagging, which includes the provision of a rebate for eligible industry participants.  Rebates have been made available to primary producers, stock and station agents, saleyards (including local government saleyards) and processors to supplement the cost of purchasing and installing eID tagging systems.  Eligible primary producers in NSW can now apply for a rebate.  Applications are open until 31 March 2024, or until program funding is exhausted.

Sheep and Goat eID Rebate - Producers | NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA)

Tocal Visit

We enjoyed catching up with Tocal Agricultural college https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/ again this year.  The certificate 4 Agricultural students do a study tour each year and we appreciate the opportunity to meet the next generation in agriculture.  We discussed farming systems, pasture management, genetic selection, and they were very helpful unloaded a b-double of super in our bunker.

Precision Pastures

Precision Pastures have just completed our baseline samples for our carbon project., with soil testing here at Bald Blair and Gatwood.  We are looking forward to seeing the numbers.  Our Carbon project for Bald Blair and Gatwood has just been submitted, thanks to Hamish Webb and his team at Precision Pastures. 

The Guyra Show

Congratulations to the Guyra Show team on another tremendous event.  While Friday night was washed out - Saturday saw the sunshine and crowds arrive for the shearing, wood chopping, dog trails, caged birds, cattle, horses, long lunch, side show alley and bar.  The postie bike soccer was a hit - well done Mal Moffatt - I am not sure your yoga ball will ever be the same again.  The demolition derby and fireworks kept the little and big kids entertained and once again the Guyra community were rewarded with an outstanding event - provided by an enormous tribe of volunteers - some three generations at a time.  The tractor tribute to the late Tony Williams was great to see.  There was some controversy in our family household with Abbott spending all Christmas holidays on his own design lego constructions, being out performed by Arthur with a kit he purchased a week before the show and winning the champion ribbon! 

Ladies in Livestock

The first round of Ladies in Livestock days for 2024 will be welcoming Julie Humphris from THE Rural Women for some workshops on Digital Marketing. All levels of digital experience are encouraged to come. Material is aimed at being relevant to many different businesses and enterprises. Bring a charged laptop and charging cord along on the day. Guyra Day: Thursday 7th March

https://www.stickytickets.com.au/2h896/ladies_in_livestock__guyra.aspx

Contact: Sara Paton , Livestock Officer (LSO) , Sustainable Agriculture and Plant Biosecurity | Northern Tablelands, Local Land Services , T (02) 6770 2000    M 0457 029 235     E sara.paton@lls.nsw.gov.au 

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services - ProGraze

PROGRAZE™ looks at how pasture and livestock interact to provide a basis for more efficient and effective grazing systems. It covers key topics namely in pasture assessment, livestock assessment and plant species recognition, and will explore how these skills can be used in daily decision making on farm.  Prograze sessions are 3-4 hours, run across 8 days over the course of 6 months.  Start date early March - limited spots available. Contact: Georgie Oakes, SLSO Pastures & Plant Biosecurity, DRNSW Local Land Services Agency | Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, M 0429 310 264    E georgie.oakes@lls.nsw.gov.au

BredWell FedWell

We are very appreciative of the opportunity to host a BredWell FedWell this year.  Please register to attend on Friday 22 March 2024.  https://www.mla.com.au/extension-training-and-tools/Bred-Well-Fed-Well/ 

Workshops are aimed to improve the knowledge and skills of producers so they can:

• develop a customised breeding plan for their livestock enterprise aligned to their profit drivers
• identify sires and select animals that help them meet their objectives
• feed animals well to achieve their objectives and maximise their genetic investment.

Event Flyer: https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/news-and-events/documents/flyers/20240322-bwfw-guyra-rego.pdf 

Registration form: https://www.mla.com.au/globalassets/mla-corporate/news-and-events/documents/flyers/20240322-bwfw-guyra-rego.pdf

Beef Australia- 5 - 11 May 2024

Beef Australia is a premier event celebrating the Australian beef industry, held in Rockhampton, Queensland. It serves as a platform for farmers, producers, and stakeholders to showcase the latest innovations, technologies, and trends in the beef sector. The event features exhibitions, trade shows, seminars, and competitions highlighting various aspects of the beef supply chain, from genetics and breeding to processing and marketing. Attendees can engage in networking opportunities, attend educational sessions, and explore the diverse range of products and services offered by exhibitors. Beef Australia aims to promote growth, sustainability, and excellence within the Australian beef industry.

https://beefaustralia.com.au/

ANGUS FOR EVERY SYSTEM – BREEDING FOR PROFITABILITY IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA 

Presented by Angus Australia

With more large scale operations seeking out Angus genetics to complement their breeding operations and drive further genetic improvement, marketability and profitability, the Angus Australia Beef Australia 2024 seminar will take a deep dive into how Angus genetics are being utilised across these operations in traditional bos indicus areas, as well as focusing on how the use of Angus genetics in these operations is improving productivity and profitability.

Date: Tuesday 7th May 2024 

Time: 2.00pm – 3.30pm 

Venue: James Lawrence B

Price: $55+ online booking fee 

https://beefaustralia.com.au/home/2024-program/seminars-symposium/seminar-program/tuesday-seminars/

Guyra Campdraft - 9 & 10 March

Entries open 10am Monday, 26th February www.campdraft.com.au

Best wishes to all competitors and organisers

Listening: Profitable Farmer:  Episode 135 - What It Takes To Achieve Greatness - Lessons From A World Champion

The episode highlights the hidden struggles behind success, using Anna Meares, an 11-time world champion track cyclist, as an example. Despite her remarkable achievements, Anna's journey was marked by challenges and adversity. Her courage, humility, and dedication serve as valuable lessons for overcoming obstacles.  This is a great story.
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/profitable-farmer/id1309434515?i=1000645176224

Reading

Kirsty: Ash Barty - My Dream Time

https://www.booktopia.com.au/my-dream-time-ash-barty/book/9781460762820.html

Sam & Kirsty