Bill Tatt: Big storms damage fencing, farming country and infrastructure
Week Ending 21/02/2020
Fully appreciate that the drought is not 'done and dusted' as yet but the money some people are spending to re-stock, one could be forgiven for thinking that the drought is over.
Many people have received big rains in storms while near neighbours have virtually missed out.
In my part of the world Coonabarabran has received in excess of 12 inches for February whereas other centres nearby have received less than one-third of this total.
Places which have seen big storms have in many cases suffered untold damage to fencing, farming country and infrastructure.
Dubbo agents once again have failed to muster 2000 head of cattle for their sale on Thursday, February 20.
While markets early in the week were solid, some categories are starting to feel the stress of rampant pricing and have begun to soften a touch.
While markets early in the week were solid, some categories are starting to feel the stress of rampant pricing and have begun to soften a touch.
Sales of the processed product from the beef and sheep meat industry are having a difficult time with virtually no product being loaded into China.
Shipping companies are refusing in many cases to load containers bound for Chinese ports due mainly to the Coronavirus.
With China no longer in the market processors are desperately searching for other destinations to absorb tonnage initially bound for mainland China.
With sheep numbers no longer as plentiful in Eastern Australia as they were prior to rain, processors have spread their net further afield to secure their requirements.
In the past Fletchers International have for many years had a major presence in West Australia.
Thomas Foods to my understanding have also in the past sourced sheep and lambs for their South Australian operations from that state.
Saleyard chatter now suggests that Cedar Meats have posted Ross Campbell their Dubbo based operator to the west in an effort to secure more livestock for their southern plants.
For the first time in many years the rivers to the east of Dubbo are breaking their banks occasionally.
The Castlereagh from Coonabarabran and the Talbragar from the Coolah district both have major flows as this column is being written.
With the promise of more to come, cyclonic type storms accompanied by localised torrential rain have wreaked havoc on isolated infrastructure and on odd occasions led to road closures.