Since 1965 the Ridgehaven Poll Dorset stud has been run with a focus on producing top quality, commercially focused animals.

Structural correctness, fertility, ease of lambing, growth rates, muscle and fat cover and wool type have been a basis for selection from the start. In the last four years, the stud has worked with meat processors and UNE to accurately identify genetic lines with superior lean meat yield, intramuscular fat (IMF) and eating quality.

Ridgehaven has seen the benefits of carcass measurement and how this can be used for genetic gain and it is now an important annual aspect of their breeding program.

The Ridgehaven ram sale will not only be held in person on property on Thursday, 10th September, but will also be interfaced on AuctionsPlus.

Next Thursday, 27th August, will be an open day where the rams and ewes can be viewed.

For the safety of all attending, on the open day and on sale day, COVID-safe measures will be in place.

For more information contact Ruth Klingner on 0438 642 113, Isabele Roberts on 0405 098 335 or Floyd Legge on 0402 185 727.

Sheep on a solar farm might be the way forward following a very successful first year of a wether trial run by the Parkes P.A. & H. Association.

Not only will the trial pave the way forward for the continued use of agricultural land combined with solar farms, but will earn the show society some much-needed funds following the cancellation of the show this year because of COVID-19.

The Show Society negotiated a deal with the owners of the Parkes Solar Farm to let sheep graze the weeds growing under the panels. This is a win-win situation for both parties as the sheep keep the weeds under control.

The four-year trial involves ten farmers who all contributed wethers of mixed blood- lines. The Department of Primary Industry (DPI) in Orange, under the leadership of Dr Kathryn Egerton-Warburton, is keeping track of the statistics to make comparisons with other trials.

Last week a team of volunteers came together to shear the sheep after the first full season with a total of 125 wethers getting the clip.

“The quality of wool is just phenomenal,” said Graeme Ostini from Ostini Wool. “The wethers are only two years old, and their fleece weigh in between 6 to 7kg and measures over 100mm. It is just magnificent, considering half of the first season was still in the drought.”

With the wool market in Sydney opening this week, Graeme predicted the wool from the trial could earn the show society around $6,000.

One of the participating farmers Ken Keith was just as impressed with the first year.

The warmer winter weather and good rains have resulted in weeds growing at a phenomenal rate, especially marshmallow weed. There has been reports of the mallow weed growing up to 2.4m high on some properties in the region.

According to Parkes Shire Council’s Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator Michael Chambers the mallow plant is fairly common and widespread, and “does come up every year when conditions are favourable”.

While some people feel it has become a real pest, Michael said it was only regarded as a nuisance weed, and not a state or regionally significant weed that needs to be controlled under the Biosecurity Act.

“Controlling this plant is not always easy,” said Michael. “For the home gardener, one of the best ways to control it in lawns is to make sure turf is thick and healthy as it will choke out the weed and not allow the seeds to spread.

“If you choose to use a herbicide, be sure to read the directions thoroughly, and use it when the plants are young and in their non-flowering/seeding state. Never eat a mallow plant that has been sprayed with a herbicide.”

Apparently, alpacas love to eat the mallow weed. The young leaves are edible for humans too and tastes lovely in salads or as cooked greens. If you feel adventurous, make sure to only forage for leaves in your own yard.

New measures to improve the Farm Household Allowance (FHA) program will make it easier to access. “We know the drought is continuing to bite despite welcome recent rainfalls in some parts of the Riverina and Central West,” said Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

Changes to the FHA over the past year include simplifying the assets test to a single threshold of $5.5 million, no differentiation between farm and non-farm assets, and anyone under the limit will be paid the full rate automatically.

Rural financial counsellors and farm consultants have also now been added to the list of professionals able to complete Farm Financial Assessments.

The amount of funding through the Activity Supplement has been doubled to $10,000 for farmers and their partners to seek independent expert advice or gain new qualifications or skills. “The financial strain from this drought for farmers and indeed regional communities as a whole will continue well after this drought breaks,” Michael said.

“Our farmers produce the very best food and fibre in the world and the Federal Government is standing with them to ensure they come out the other side of this drought as best as they possibly can.”