Full house at chemical course

MORE than 20 farmers and agricultural sector workers attended a third chemical users’ course in Pyramid Hill last week.

Demand for the free courses through Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House saw organisers plan the third two-day session and move to make the course an annual event for northern Loddon communities.

Participants have received their certificate of attainment and been listed with the Farm Chemical User’s Secretariat of Victoria.

During the course, participants were instructed how to prepare and apply chemicals, maintain storage areas and a chemical manifest, calibrate equipment and maintain records.

They were also instructed in correct use of protective equipment.

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

The overall market was generally firm on last week’s sale, with wellfinished lambs dearer and heavy sheep slightly cheaper.

Sheep

LAMB supply dropped at Bendigo on Monday, down again to 7200 head, 2200 less than a week ago.

A very wintery yarding with heavy and well finished lambs in the minority against plainer types.

A key northern exporter was absent, however there was more buying activity from some domestic orders and this helped put a stronger price floor in the market, particularly for lambs sized from 22-27kg cwt.

Trade and heavy lambs generally gained $5 to $12 on a week ago.

Not many export grade lambs were offered and the few 30kg plus pens sold from $164 to a top of $176 to be slightly dearer at an estimated 510c to 530c/kg cwt.

The best run of heavy crossbred lambs, 26-30kg, $143 to $175 and the heavy trades $135 to $151 - all these lamb improving to averages between 550c to 565c/kg cwt.

Any neat domestic lambs in the 22-24kg range received better support and sold to $140 at up to 590/kg cwt.

However, bidding for secondary trade lambs in long untidy skins or lacking fat cover remained selective and they still ranged from $80 to $130 depending on quality and number in a pen.

Light lambs under 18kg cwt mostly $40 to $80 and were generally unchanged. Just 1780 sheep were offered. A key northern buyer was absent and mutton prices were just firm to cheaper on limited quotes. Heaviest ewes $90 to $117 and Merino wethers to $110.

Crossbred Lambs

C & C Mann Pyramid Hill (30) $176. G & D Turnbull Wycheproof (31) $173.R Fisicaro Warragoon (60) $162. O’Shannessy Bros Donald (56) $162. O’Shannessy Bros Donald (46) $157. M & P Gibson Beulah (135) $156. A Harris Costerfield (12) $156. Mirnee Partnership Hunter (83) $153. PJ Towt Whittlesea (52) $140.

MERINO LAMBS

R & A Rollinson Jerilderie (242) $183.

CROSSBRED EWES

Creswell Trading Beazley’s Bridge (95) $90. J Gilmore Tooborac (5) $90. A Alston Oaklands Junction (18) $86. D & F Graham Moama (27) $82.

MERINO EWES

L & M Harris Costerfield (78) $110. JM & PJ Darker Boort (62) $102.

Order of sales next week: Nutrien, Nevins, Elders, McKean McGregor Nuttall.

SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK AGENTS

Grain

Boort Grain Co-op prices Monday.

Wheat – ASW $340 FIS. AGP1 $340 FIS. SFW1 $340 FIS. FED1 $315 FIS. Barley - Bar1 $277 FIS. Bar2 $267 FIS. Bar3 $252 FIS. Bar4 $247 FIS. Faba1 $355 FIS. Faba2 $355 FIS.

Trade Lambs $115-145 $5.50-6 +$3.50

Store Lambs $40-95 $2 (liveweight)Firm

Heavy Sheep $90-110 $3-3.20 +$10

Trade Sheep $65-75 $3-3.50 -$5

Light Sheep $40-60 $3-3.50 Firm

To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team.