THE climate outlook for the next few months appears to be in contrast to the recent spring in the South West, with the Bureau of Meteorology issuing its first climate outlook update for 2023.

FIVE big days of weaner sales start tomorrow at Hamilton Livestock Exchange with over 20,000 head creating a busy week for Western District agents and cattle farmers.

COMMUNITY events held at Bridgewater, Rochester and Telangatuk East before Christmas provided a great opportunity to talk with farmers about the impact of the wet season and how they are managing stress and higher workload on the farm as they get things operational again.

WITH Rocklands Reservoir experiencing above-average inflows the last few months and being at its highest level since 1997, some locals have expressed dismay about an imminent planned release of water into the Glenelg River.

THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) last week announced the outcome of its elections for VFF president and vice-president, as well as a number of VFF commodity group positions.

RURAL women across the state can now apply for the 2023 Rural Women’s Network Leadership and Mentoring Programs.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE VALUES VOTES
RECENTLY a district reader proffered the view that you wouldn’t give a raw 18-year-old free rein to run the family farm and that the country would be in better shape if the voting age started at 50.
Interesting comment but obviously tongue-in cheek.

WHILE it was a sad day, it was also a good day of sales and a big turn up for the finale at Warrnambool’s iconic South West Victorian Livestock Exchange (SWVLX) on Wednesday.

CHRISTMAS came early for recreational fishers in the local region with more than 26,000 estuary perch being released in the Rocklands Reservoir near the Grampians earlier this month.

ZOETIS has reached its goal of raising $100,000 for the Beyond Blue Support Service in an effort to support good mental health and reduce suicide rates across rural Australia.