By Judy Barnet, Ag Columnist
Arriving home just before dark after a long day due to having to make a trip to Stanthorpe after work making my total kilometres for the day around 250, I was greeted by two very excited children presenting me with two dozen gorgeous red roses. Sadie and Beau, and their parents Andrew and Klynt, were returning guests who have become great friends – you may remember photos of Beau and one of last year’s poddy lambs in the paper last year. As well as this Klynt had cooked a big lasagne so we enjoyed a delicious meal with them. I was so grateful. I had had a long day and didn’t feel like preparing dinner!
This morning Richie was up at 5 am and after bringing me my requisite coffee in bed he headed out to feed the critters. I was just getting up at 5.30 am when I heard small footsteps and 6-year-old Beau appeared at the door and whispered “it’s time to feed the chooks”. While I finished my coffee Beau went back to wake his sister. We let Dora off her chain and headed down to the dam just as the mist was rising and were rewarded with the sight of Pelicans heading off to go fishing as well as silverfish jumping out of the water. It was a magical sight, the kids were enthralled. I laughed my head off after telling the kids to go and check out the baby plover chicks whilst I stayed back with Dora but they soon came running back as the plovers dived at them!
Sadly the poddy lamb that was rejected by the ewes in last week’s crow saga passed away on Monday. He seemed to be doing really well but all of a sudden went downhill quickly.
The plants in the garden are starting to grow back a bit as That Blomin Goat is at the Highfields Pioneer Village for the Big Cow Festival until the weekend when I am heading down to pick up the sheep. Hopefully, someone has enquired into buying him – if not, you may see him at the Pig & Calf sale next week!
Checking on the lambing ewes one morning I came across No. 4 – a quiet Shropshire that we often take to animal nurseries. She was just beginning labour so I shot back up to the house and returned down with Andrew, Klynt, Beau, and Sadie. They were thrilled to watch the birth about 10 minutes later and we stayed until the lamb was on his feet and drinking. A couple of years ago one of the goats had twins at the time this family was on their first visit to the farm and we named one of the twin kids Sadie. It was Beau’s turn this time so we now have Beau the lamb. I guess at some stage I will have to break the news to 5-year-old Beau that owing to being of the male species, this particular lamb will not be around forever!
There were tears and tantrums today when it was time for Sadie and Beau to leave. I had to promise to visit the family when I fly out to New Zealand for a week in December.
I travelled down to Highfields to pick up the sheep and That Blomin Goat on Saturday after work. It was dark when I arrived and I was grateful for the use of the new cottage at the village, I had a cup of tea and off to bed. I awoke just on first light to hear the magpies singing and the whip birds calling out amongst the chorus of chortles. I watched the sunrise with a cup of coffee, the promise of a magnificent day. The village is my second home and I was torn between staying an extra day or heading back after lunch as was my original plan. Having a break from the farm though, even for this short time, is a great way to revive one’s spirits and look outside the square. I wandered around the village taking photos for an hour or so and then snuck into the kitchen, finding some hot cross buns and homemade butter. Another coffee and I was set for the day!
Even though not in our shire, the village was a lot of buildings and displays from all over the Southern Downs. The toy shop that was run by the late Clare Schofield from Mt Marshall displays her many creations, when Clare was alive this shop was a magic place to visit for kids with its working toys. Clare also wrote a book on toy making, still available today.
The Gore railway station comes complete with tracks and signals and the Forest Springs School still has lessons on special occasions! I am honoured with my photo in the creamery and name on the animal nursery yards.
In the end, I decided I had better go to work on Monday so arranged the help of an old bushie to load the sheep that were in the big round yard. He looked doubtful when I said I would back the trailer up and see if the sheep would jump in – to be honest I didn’t really think it would work either, the sheep are quiet but the yard is big – there was nothing at all put behind them so they couldn’t run away. But lo and behold I climbed in with a bucket of sheep nuts and seven sheep, four lambs and That Blomin Goat jumped in as well. The look on the bushie’s face was priceless! Goat had entertained people for a week with his antics of jumping from post to post and even up onto the roof of the stables.
I was saddened to hear that who I consider to be one of Australia’s best cattlemen, Rick Pisaturo OAM, has recently passed away at the age of 100. Rick was an extraordinary man who contributed a huge amount to the Australian Cattle Industry by developing new cattle breeds and improving others. He was a world leader in Shorthorns for many years. The Mandalong Special, the Square Meater and the Tropicana were three breeds of cattle Rick spent many years in making to suit Australian Conditions. He was an excellent horseman also and wrote several books including the most recent – Australia My Love, a story of his life from being a POW to building his empire through hard work, grit and determination. Rick imported the Chianina (the world’s biggest cow) into Australia and also introduced the Charolais and was one of the founders of the Charolais Association. Rest in peace Rick.
The Mandalong Special – Five breeds in one with one steer winning a carcass competition dressing over 66 per cent and weight gains of over three kilograms per day. It doesn’t get much better than that! It took Rick Pisaturo many years to develop the Mandalong Special which is made up of Brahman, British White, Shorthorn, Charolais and Chianina. This makes the breed 62.5 per cent Continental, 18.75 per cent British and 18.75 per cent Bos Indicus.
