IT WAS not until late Tuesday evening that I was able to finalise what I was attempting to write for this week.
While at the annual Mountain Calf sales of Omeo, Ensay, Benambra and Hinnomunjie, where prices were extremely good, producers were still talking about when prices would falter, get cheaper, or even crash.
This is the $64,000 dollar question, but does it warrant an answer?
Well not directly, as we all know - there will be a correction at some stage.
For the moment, we just don’t when.
Some weeks ago I was asked if I would present an award while at the Ensay Producer’s Dinner on Tuesday evening.
It is in the keeping of a positive, that I mention this, because it is worth it.
At the Ensay Producer’s Dinner in 2016, Terry Daniher was the guest speaker,and spoke on Motor Nuerone Disease, because of his brother Neale’s illness.
From this came a very positive reaction.
Eight Ensay producers donated a steer each, to be auctioned the next day at the Elders Annual Ensay Calf Sale. Gordon Conners, of what was then FOB Livestock, Sale, purchased these steers for $890 each with the proceeds going to the MND Association.
However, the story does not finish there, as after being fattened, Mr Connors sold these steers at Sale for $1736, and then donated the total amount for MND research.
Mr Conners was presented with a large Red Gum slab, crafted by Brian Higgins with all of the donators and the amount of money raised.
A very positive outcome.
Later in the evening, guest speaker, Simon O’Donnell, spoke of his experiences in livestock, sport and horse racing. One key point Mr O’Donnell kept bringing out through his oration was think positively and good outcomes will shine through.
So where is this heading you might ask.
Cattle and sheep prices remain very high, but we say we know this will change.
So what could be a positive?
Use the much higher income to improve your farm, your livestock potential, and equally your lifestyle.
Go out and buy a better bull, or ram, purchase some better females, and lift the quality of your livestock, so that when a correction occurs you have a far better chance of getting top dollar, whatever that may be.
Improve your farm to make it easier, and safer to work, and by all means, have a holiday, or shout yourselves to a great night out.
Take the opportunity to decrease your capital exposure, so that the next correction will not be so harmful.
Thanks go to Reece and Wendy Newcomen, Barry and Topsi Newcomen, Evan and Dot Newcomen, Peter Fraser, Phil and Kerri Geeham, Craig and Jane Lloyd, Ken and Kim Skews and Simon and Rowena Turner for donating a steer.
Also to everyone else who participated in some way.
But special thanks to Mr Conners for his great generosity and positive attitude.
The annual Mountain Calf sales showed some of this positiveness when producers sought to improve their herds by buying some of the more noted breeders heifers.
It may have cost $1500-$1600 for their proffered line, but it was considered money well spent.
