As this edition hits the streets, we are fortunate to once again be in Roma for the running of the Roma Cup on Saturday.
Michael Taylor, Midwest Rural, also reminded me of the information night, with livestock agents, transporters and producers to be held tonight Thursday, at the White Bull Tavern.
I caught up with Maranoa Regional Council Mayor Robert Loughnan, and received these “words of wisdom” from him:
“I’ve been asked by Stan Wallace to write a few words for his column in today’s Queensland Country Life. Stan is in Roma this week for his annual pilgrimage to what I regard as Australia’s greatest regional race meeting, the Roma Cup.
“Stan will notice a few things have changed in the past 12 months. There is a real confidence in the future with the bulk of the wheat crops taken off in recent weeks and some unprecedented prices for cattle.
“We always seem to score a bit of rain at the Cup, but these early thunderstorms are not the drought breaking rain that is needed throughout much of the Maranoa and South-West Queensland. We still have some extremely dry areas and those people who are trying to restock after some rain, must be wondering just what they have to do.
“Another consequence of the enhanced trading conditions and the early storms is the re-emergence of the rural property market. A number of prominent local cattle properties have changed hands in the past month. It will be interesting to drop in on the annual ‘Young Beef Producers Forum’ in Roma today and see whether the local trends reflect the national or universal outlook for the agricultural sector.
“Roma had a terrific connection with the Melbourne Cup win by jockey Michelle Payne on ‘Prince of Penzance’. Part owner of the ‘Prince’ is Jon Dalton who lived and worked in Roma for several years and even led the mighty Echidnas for a time.
“And to readers looking for a tip on Saturday, it might not be the favourite but local horse ‘Oggie’ is looking pretty good. Enjoy your weekend Stan and the same to all your readers.”
Record sheep & lamb prime rates
While we have seen record rates paid recently for cattle, both prime and store, let us not overlook the record rates also being paid for prime sheep and lambs.
Inverell markets reporter Brian Baldwin keeps me in touch with the rates being paid at the Inverell saleyards. In the past couple of weeks, Brian quoted 82kg live shorn lambs making $180; 62kg woolly lambs $165; 52kg woolly lambs $130, and shorn 47kg Merino lambs $98.
In the sheep pens, 21kg dressed woolly wethers made to $90; 26kg quarter wool ewes $85 and crossbred ewes to $90.
