With the last months of winter well upon us we were wondering if it was going to get wet and cold. Bring on Sheepvention in Hamilton and bang, wet cold miserable days. Don’t get me wrong as I am not complaining but after a fairly mild winder just the name Sheepvention brings the cold and wet which is just what we wanted. The ground now is saturated with water running into dams. That’s the plus but on the negative side, cops are feeling the pinch with wet feet.
Regardless of the cold and wet at the moment the south west of Victoria has experienced one of the best autumn winters on record. Its most unusual to have the growth we have experienced for these months. This has had a great effect on livestock with record percentages in ewes and lambs and calves having a great start with plenty of grass in front of them. Needless to say, all of this will be useless unless we get our spring rains. Although the moisture in the ground at the moment and as long as we get some sort of reasonable rain we should be right. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for our cousins north of the Murray and in mid New South Wales so let’s hope they can get a real wet spring.
Recently I returned from Canada where I was lucky enough to be leading the Western Canada Farm Tour with Quadrant Australia. This included the ALPA National Young Auctioneer Competition winner, Lincoln McKinlay, Topex Roma and the ALPA Agency Award Winner, Alex Croker, HF Francis & Co Wagga Wagga. During our tour other than visiting farms we went to a number of livestock auction marts (saleyards). Lincoln as a part of his prize had the opportunity to sell in preparation for the Calgary Stampede International Livestock Auctioneer Championship where he was competing as a rookie entrant. Not only did Lincoln conduct himself well, he sold exceptionally well and he took out the rookie award, only the third Australian to do so.
Personally, I must congratulate Lincoln and Alex. These two fine young men did our industry and Australia proud in the way they conducted themselves during the tour. If these two are an indication of the future of our industry, then it is in very good hands. On behalf of Lincoln, Alex and myself, I’d like to thank Quadrant Australia for organising the tour to Canada.
Speaking of Auctioneer Competitions, a reminder that the ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition will once again be held at the VLE, Pakenham on the 11th September. This will be the fifth year our competition will be held in this location and it just goes from strength to strength. Who knows, maybe the next Canadian trip winner will come from Victoria.