The HR Stud has been blessed here in the Macquarie with a second good season in 2021, despite some flooding earlier this year.
We are thankful the two main income drivers of wool and lamb are holding up well, however we have not escaped the effects of COVID.
The scarcity of labour and long lead times for materials and equipment have shown us that even with good seasons and prices you still need to continually review your on-farm efficiencies, and that planning ahead is vital.
To that end, we are reviewing our shearing shed and domestic facilities (hoping to keep our shearing contractor and crew happy, whilst complying with industry requirements). The board will be changed from a left to a right-hand drag and we are investigating new chutes and doors.
Sheep delivery to the shed will be improved with a revised laneway layout through the property.
We have invested in solar power (with assistance from the NSW Govt), hoping to wholly supply the HR station with a 90kw tracking system, with battery back-up for communications to use in emergencies and for farm safety.
In terms of planning, we have looked at what inputs the farm will need into the future in terms of machinery, labour and spare parts to hopefully stay ahead.
As we have a two-year lead time for ram production, you can help immeasurably by indicating your own predicted ram requirements from HR well ahead of time. Please discuss how we can help you with our HR Reps, Staff and Classers.
Sally and I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank our Staff and Industry colleagues for their hard work and continued support and we look forward to seeing many of you before the end of the year.
Kind Regards,
GBSF
