We took a flashback to April 2009 to see the faces and stories making news in Stock & Land back then.
NEWS: International pork and grain prices have taken a hit this week despite assurances the deadly swine flu sweeping its way across the world can not be transmitted by food.
The Australian Government is closely monitoring the situation but has not reacted to close down imports of frozen pork from North and South American countries where the flu has taken hold, as has been done by China, Russia and Thailand in response to the outbreak.
MARKETS: Animated bidding broke out at major sheep saleyards after welcome weekend rain across southern Australia delivered solid falls to sheep and cropping districts.
As expected, supplies dwindled rather quickly with lamb and sheep numbers back by an average of about 20 to 25 per cent but due only in part to the rain.
The live export industry also upped the ante this week with a further Portland shipment for delivery early in May. Not only have wether prices increased to $57-$66 a head but a rate for Merino lambs and pregnancy tested "empty" ewes has been included with prices offered for the latter at $58-$62.
CROPS: The weekend's rain has delivered a boon across virtually all of the State's cropping belt, with only parts of the northern and central Wimmera receiving less than 20 millimetres.
Most of the State received anywhere between 15-50mm, with heavier falls in the North East and parts of the Western District. Importantly, Mallee farmers, moving right into their core sowing window, received good falls.
Landmark Ouyen branch manager Darren Old said the Ouyen district had received close to 30mm, which increased west along the Mallee track to 37.5mm at Underbool and about 50mm near the SA border at Murrayville. To the east of Ouyen, Mr Old had heard of falls generally between 20 and 25mm.
