By Judy Barnet, Ag Columnist
I thought my computer woes were over but the week has still presented its challenges. I have put it all in the too hard box for now – I can do what I need to so that will have to suffice!
I met a very inspiring guest this week. Caz and her son plus their beautiful Belgian Shepherd dog are on a road trip on the Blue Tree Trail. If you haven’t heard of it, the Blue Tree Trail is an organisation striving to spread the word about mental health issues and conversations.
“By spreading the paint and spreading the message that “it’s OK to not be OK”, we can help break down the stigma that’s still largely attached to mental health”.
The visit to the home was at the start of the trail. Applethorpe has its very own blue tree and it has inspired me to paint a tree as well. We definitely have enough of them at home to pick a good one. I think it will have to be a dead gum though as I can’t imagine that the ironbarks would show the blue paint very well. I did think of some other ways to “blue” a tree using something recycled – such as used baling twine or all those old Blue Jeans that I have outgrown but been loathe to throw away in case I lose weight but I suspect the calves or some other critters might decide they were good chewing material. The aim is to get a crew out to help decorate the tree, take some piccies and add the tree to the trail. With that in mind, I might need to find a tree near the road which might make it a bit more challenging.
The purpose of the Blue Tree road trip was to produce a film about Suicide Prevention. Caz and her son generously offered to send their drone up and take some footage of our property while they were here. To say I was thrilled would be an understatement. What a lovely thing to do.
Another of my projects is slowly moving along. Richie finished making the wheels for the old Workers Wagon and it will soon be off to get a makeover. Originally planned to be ready for Easter, it is looking more like September now!
I haven’t done much in the garden. Time is scarce now that the days are getting shorter and I am working every day away from the farm. CJ is away for a few weeks caring for a friend so I am on chook duty as well as watering. Sadly, my moon and stars watermelons produced a lot of flowers but only a few fruits and for some reason, the vine died early. The corn (pictured) grew well but the cobs have not filled out much. Not sure what the go is there.
One of the oldest Southdown (now Babydoll) Studs in Australia decided to recently sell some of their older ewes (2017/2018) and I took the opportunity to add a couple to my flock. I believe around fifteen ewes came up to the Southern Downs – Warwick area so it is great to see some interest from our area. The Hillgrove Stud’s stock is the traditional old type of Southdown with short legs, good length, squarish heads and smiling faces. I will put these ewes under my home bred ram, Edward, this year.
My auction is not far away (19 April). The lambs are all doing well in their paddock behind the house and the ones that weren’t quiet are settling down with a bit of feed. I am getting a bit of enquiry so I hope it is worth all the work I put into it. The deer is still around on the farm and this morning he was in with the lambs. He must have decided to pop in and say hello. He was sprouting a fair bit of wool on his antlers so he must have been scratching up against the sheep!
I have been busy working on the Rare Breeds Trust Auction, trying to get donations that can be auctioned during International Heritage Breeds Week. Riverina Stockfeeds has come on board again this year and so have some of the Zoos which is great since both organisations aim to preserve rare breeds.
Speaking of Riverina, they delivered some feed to me last week after “dear Richie” had relocated the silo in order to make way for our yard extension. That was to combine the cattle and sheep yards and put rubber around the cattle yards in order to make them goat proof (if there is such a thing). I said to dear Richie after he had relocated the silo that it looked to be on a bit of a lean. Not much, mind you, but I could definitely see it. It’s on solid ground, it’ll be right he said. I wasn’t so sure and said as much but didn’t push the issue. Luckily I was home when the truck arrived. The driver had put about one and a half tonnes in and then over she went. I guess about half stayed in the silo and the rest was on the ground. I wasn’t overly impressed and rang Richie suggesting he come home and help me shovel it up before the cows arrived on the scene. Richie, CJ and I got on the shovel and bagged the grain, then emptied it into 44-gallon drums. It will have to be sieved before we can feed it out. The silo remains on the ground still half full but will have to be dealt with this weekend as I have ordered some sheep feed for the winter.
March is Poultry Month at the Rare Breeds Trust. Our Poultry guru, Cathy Newton, has been busy with some really interesting breeds. During our monthly directors’ meeting yesterday, Cathy mentioned she was coming up to Warwick to judge the poultry at the show. I was hoping to get over and say hello but I am rostered on to work this weekend. Not long after that Cathy is off to judge at the Royal Sydney Show. From Sydney, she is off somewhere else and then to Katherine to judge at their show.
I have picked out this particular breed to tell you about this week:
Scots Grey – Critical – 93 breeding adults in Australia
The Scottish fowl – a hardy and active fowl imported to Australia in recent years. It will tolerate most conditions but loves to forage and wander. They are a chatty and friendly breed, but the males can be very protective during the breeding season.
References to the Scots Greys go back as far as the 1500s. They have been known by many names depending on the region of Scotland, including Shepherds Plaid, Chick Marley, Chickmalins, Mauds, Graylings, and Greylocks. All these names have made it difficult to confirm the exact history of the breed. The Scots Grey appears to be a refinement of the early farmyard fowl of Lanarkshire and surrounding areas having originated from Scottish native fowl. Open Poultry Standards Australia: openpoultrystandards.com/Scots_Grey
