Many livestock producers have turned their sights away from saleyards etc and are getting their headers ready for what could be a massive national harvest.
Harvesting has commenced on the golden grain in the Emerald district of Queensland, where the first headers rolled into action almost three weeks ago, to bring in a harvest which some forecasters predict could be as high as 25 million tonnes and almost equal the tonnages received last year.
If this scenario becomes a reality it would be the first time in almost two decades that growers have been able to produce to bountiful crops in a row.
For much of the Eastern States we hope that rain stays away until harvest is finished so that crops are not downgraded as was the case in many instances last season.
Western Australia is hoping for a grain crop exceeding nine million tonnes - a figure unheard of in that state’s history of growing crops. Hopefully nationwide Mother Nature will be kind to all our farmers.
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A comprehensive report to hand on the Narromine Store Sheep Sale held on Wednesday September 21 where the selling agents lined up with 13,700 head, to a reasonable gathering of prospective buyers some of whom had travelled some distance including Cowra, Forbes, Crookwell, Boggabri, Parkes, Bendigo, Narrandera, Condobolin, Tamworth and solid support from local areas and surrounding districts.
Most lines of sheep were of good quality and in the main were well presented.
This did not however stop the overall prices being slightly cheaper than the result which had been obtained at the previous sale in September.
Some results include: first-cross ewes August/September, 2010 drop, August- shorn topped at $229.
Another two lines from the same consignment sold for $188 and $210.
The bulk of the better end of first-cross ewes sold in the range of $174 to $196. Plainer first-cross ewes sold from a low of $118.
Store lambs were firm on the previous sale selling for $73 to a top price of $104.
Merino ewes, 1-1/2 years, September shorn outstanding ewes reached $200.
The balance of the good young Merino ewes sold from $175 to $192.
A top line of Samm/Merino-cross ewes July/August 2010 drop, September shorn sold for $190. Older ewes depending on age and presentation sold from $105 to $154. Merino wethers 1-1/2 years, winter shorn sold from $82 to $86.
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The next regular goat sale at Dubbo will be held on Tuesday November 8, commencing at 11am. Contact your agent for details.
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