A big thanks to Murray Arnel for the invite to write this column.
The scene for readers in the livestock game at the moment is looking very bright in relation to price.
I will only mention the weather once, an obvious concern for all producers. Not much that anyone can do to change the situation, let’s hope for a good general rain soon.
Focusing on the Riverina:
For most readers a trip to the north is a quick trip to a sheep sale at Hay or Deniliquin in southern NSW.
Those that have time to observe, only need to look at the side of the roads to see the obvious change with large scale plantings of cotton.
Just in the Hay district alone, common thought is that 100,000 sheep and 10,000 cattle have been replaced by cotton.
This is not to mention the high expansion of nuts and high value horticultural crops.
It was once a welcome sight in southern markets, the sight of yellow number plates from the Riverina to buy large lines of store cattle
Seasons and returns have also made this trading difficult.
The larger cattle herds can nearly be named in easy repetition.
Unfortunately this major change of land use is, and will in the future restrict this opportunity.
The great Merino sheep still provides a very staple future in these areas, with many long established wool growing families and successful corporate businesses that understand the area and challenges that seasons can provide.
Year after year in most recognised store centres they present their sheep in wonderful order.
A few facts relative to this current season:
Most flocks scanned over 100 per cent only to mark 85 to 90 per cent lambs to ewes joined.
The further north into NSW, the worse the percentage
Most wethers kept from 2016 have now had to be offloaded as conditions tightened with pleasing exit sales.
Many producers will shear as normal in September or October then make vital decisions as to where the season is heading.
Most crossbred suckers are in reasonable condition not expected till early-mid August, with the exception of irrigation suckers late July in very good condition
Most sales will be of the traditional nature all with below average numbers of ewes to purchase
Producers in the Riverina are very resilient people with a lot learned from previous dry spells.
Animal health and wellbeing of the animal the number one priority, working with skilled livestock agents and skilled livestock carriers this process has come a long way.