Christophers Comment

Posted by on 10 February 2013 | 0 Comments

Christopher's Comment February 2013

Another year rolls by and unlike last summer when we had rain at regular intervals this last couple of weeks have been pretty challenging We luckily had 20mm of rain unexpectedly in the middle of January which has been a great help.But since then it has been hot - 27 to 29 degrees most days and often quite windy with it which has started to dry the farm out very quickly. But as I write this a little bit of rain has fallen with a lot more predicted. Fingers crossed.

We have had a good late spring and early summer. 1200 lambs have been sent off to consumers around the world to enjoy at an average weight of 16.6 kgs. The jury is still out on whether leaving the tails on improved the weights. I personally think it did but one if the meat processors is now doing a trial on tail length so we will know the answer officially one day. The disappointing aspect of lamb for us this year is the price which is around $30 behind last year. In short the meat processors stuffed up last year so we the farmers have to pay to restore their balance sheets to profitability. Will there ever be an end to this perpetual problem. All we ask for is certainty and consistancy but as long as we have companies fighting each other for procurement then undercutting each other in the markets then this problem will be around for a long time yet.

We still have another 600 lambs to sell and a few more cull ewes. We are expecting most of the cull ewes will go this week and a further 300 lambs. All the lambs remaining after our first pick were shorn in the middle of December along with half our ewes. The price we received for our wool was very encouraging but may it may have been a blip as I read now at subsequent sales the price has retreated somewhat disappointingly.

In my last comment we had just employed a student fom student job search to work for us for 6 weeks to help in our thistle eradiction campaign. Unfortunately it was not a success this year (an award-winning pile of excuses why he didnt turn up!) and we would have been lucky if half the hours available were actually worked. Luckily the reliable Candice has in between achieving some exceptionally good results with her ironmans still managed to front up and help us out. Thank you Candice.

Around this busy time of the year we have managed to all fit in some much needed holiday time. Hugh had a break over the Christmas period and since then a further 2 weeks before school went back. We had Christmas on the farm this year but it was one of those years when our families had Christmas day with their in laws so our Christmas day was celebrated on Boxing day. But it was lovely to have our daughters, their husbands and their children here for a few days. Lots of trips and lots of fun. Then a couple of weeks at the beach was very welcome.

Our retirment project is going well. The framing of the new part of the villa has been completed and now the verandah around the new area is being built. This week the roof has started to go on the new part, then the roof from the original piece can be removed new trusses put in place and the new roof extended over the whole house. It will be an exciting time to see that completed.

 

Had a very interesting visit from a newly established sheep farmer from Australia. Sean is setting up a sheep farm just out of Warrnambool in SW Victoria. Along with the challenges we all have he has to farm his operation around a lot drier weather than we have to contend with. When Sean was here in mid November they were already experiencing dry conditions. After a quick trip around the farm it was good to be able to sit down and compare notes. We look forward to catching up with Sean again at some stage.

 

We have finally managed to get our hay cut, baled and into the barn, 816 conventional bales. A real team effort not helped by the 'ever reliable old girl', the MF135 tractor, breaking down. Unheard of. Luckily our hay contractor Dennis was able to lend us another tractor coupled with a sterling effort from Hugh and Cliff ( and me!!) and the ' help' of 6 youngsters (Nathan, Blake, Josh, Guy, Tom and Alex – they had great fun!), we were able to get it all into the barn relatively easily. It was helped of course by the plentiful nourishment delivered to the barn and appreciated by all and sundry.

 

Finally we have welcomed Nicole to the team. Nic is a 3^rd year vet student who is required to work for four weeks on a sheep farm. We have eased her into her new environment and have been impressed by the way she has picked up the various challenges and has let nothing faze her. We are enjoying having her with us. I am sure she will do well in her chosen profession.

 

Well, its goodnight from me and goodnight from him. Til next time....!