After constant thoughts about whether I would start whinging about too much rain, a trip this week out to Cassilis certainly brought me back to reality on a couple of fronts. Firstly, the fact that there is still a lot of people doing it hard through lack of feed and water, that I think we should be very careful getting upset about the amount of rain we have had recently. To drive onto this property and see dry riverbeds and no feed on the hills at all, was a wake up call that there are a lot people still in dire straights.
To see cattle in ordinary condition was certainly a bit discerning and the main reason for the sale of 2000 head of cattle on this property, was due to the conditions.

Secondly, after driving through the little town of Cassilis, which I hadn’t done for ten years, and saw the evidence of what one would only call another little dying western town. We had planned to have a cup of coffee on the way through, but could not find a commercial business that was actually operating in town. The only sign of any action was the local Bowling Club. It certainly brings to our attention, how lucky we are, living in our vibrant community, with good work opportunities, where obviously this must be just a small example of many western towns that are under threat.

Over the Fence

Alarming reading this week about the possible effects of the Federal Governments Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme ( here after known as the CPRS ) on the Australian Beef Industry.

The “Boffins” tell us that adult cattle emit about 74 kgs a year of methane, dairy cows about 115 kgs of methane and sheep 6.6kgs of methane. The upshot of this is that a cattle herd of 1000 breeders and 850 calves would produce 2817 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per year. This would convert to approx $30,000 in the first year, assuming the permits cost $80 per tonne. As prices are expected to go to $200 per tonne one could only think that this would send a lot of beef properties broke. One really thinks, that if there are murmurs about bringing this tax in, the Agricultural and Beef Industries especially should start haunting a few of our decision makers to get some guarantees. The idea of this thinly disguised tax, is absolutely ridiculous, and is only another burden for the Beef Producer.