The Boundary Rider's Report April 2026
The Boundary Rider’s Report April 2026
As with all other New Englanders, our season has turned against us, and it would appear with no reprieve in the near term. It is hard to know exactly how many stock have been sold, however the Armidale Selling Complex has never been busier, with both weekly sales and weaner sales on each week for the last 5 or 6 weeks. Many thousands of cattle have left the area off to better pastures or feedlots. All selling platforms have provided good returns for those off loading. Not to mention those leaving on agistment, or sale by private treaty.
We are testing all markets at the moment with PTNIC cow sales, CFA Cows, lamb sales, ewe sales, and this week PTIC heifers will be offered for sale on Auctions Plus. The markets have held up until recently with downward pressure on lighter cattle. This represents a point of difference to 2019 when the markets collapsed. This would suggest the demand for beef in Australia and Overseas is still massive. It also begs the question what it is going to be like when it rains. For more detailed reports you can check out Eastern States Young Cattle Indicator | Meat & Livestock Australia or subscribe to
https://agritrends.com/
We are selling down what we can and keeping what we must. We have been sourcing winter feed requirements for the last month or so, and that all arrives very soon. The preparations are in order. Destocking has largely occurred, however we still have a few mobs to tidy up.
SALE O! SALE O! SALE O!
39 PTIC Commercial Heifers for sale
10am Friday, 24th April, we will have on offer 39 Maiden Angus Heifers for sale, 2 decks of cattle.
Bald Blair Blood Heifers joined to Bald Blair Bulls NBB24V27, NBB24V47& NBB24V81 from 20/10/2025 to 1/12/12025.
Pregnancy tested in calf by our local vet on 20 April 2026.
We would normally retain these heifers, and only offer them for sale because of the dry conditions.
Drenched and vaccinated.
Bald Blair Angus Bull Sale: 1pm Tuesday, 4th August 2026
https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/event/bald-blair-angus-2026-bull-sale
I am pleased to note, bulls are doing well in spite of conditions at this time. Keep an eye out on our website for information on Bloodlines on offer this year.
Methane Research at Bald Blair with GreenFeed units and Optiweigh Agcent.
At Bald Blair, we have commenced methane testing in the paddock of the next generation of breeders, on both Green Feed data collectors and Optiweigh Agcent systems. This collaboration continues with Green Feed feeders leaving their site and more Agcent Optiweighs coming onto Bald Blair. Maiden Stud Heifers continue their testing as does the elite cow herd begin there testing. The service from Optiweigh has been brilliant and it is good to see great tech being used in the research development of EBV’s for methane; due 2027.
ALinks to projects: ZNE CRC website https://zneagcrc.com.au/
Selecting for more methane efficient cattle and sheep https://zneagcrc.com.au/research_project/selecting-for-more-methane-efficient-cattle-and-sheep/
Low Methane Beef project https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/releases/2025/general/low-methane-beef-project-delivers-first-genomic-insights-to-help-reduce-emissions-in-beef-cattle
Optiweight https://www.optiweigh.com.au/methane-co2-reliable-indicators-of-metabolism-feed-efficiency
Season
Soil moisture is low, out first frosts have come and gone. Too say it is rain deficient is an understatement. Rain fall is low, no rain in April across all properties. 130 to 160 mm across properties so far this year, already below half the average falls for this time of year. Properties east of Bald Blair have had a few mm’s more and are already lightly stocked. Out biggest challenge is drinking water for livestock.
Water
Our ground water is under extreme pressure with creeks and dams drying up. The flood fences have been extended to keep paddocks stock proof and prevent stock from walking down the creek into the wrong paddock or neighbours. At least we have not got wet fixing the flood fences this time! We are monitoring our bores very closely. Bore drillers are expected soon to access more water where we can. We also have found the need for a few more troughs to go in as well.
It is important to stay grounded as the pressure continues. Keep making decisions
Check this out before you do anything else:
» New RAMHP animation brings self-care back to basics Thank you Guy Downs for sharing with us https://www.guydownes.com/ The feds might need him to do the next round of fuel ads!
Weeds
We are missing the university students and the quick spray has not been as active as we would have liked. A contract sprayer has hit the blackberries at Aberfoyle, but still more to go.
Fencing
We are very excited to have some fences renewed and repaired at Gatwood - Thank you Troy Brazier.
Farm Safety
Please stay safe on farms and if you missed this story from Walcha read on The call that saved farmer’s life against all odds.
If you have service this app is a good one for your family and team:
https://www.emergencyplus.com.au/
Quad bike safety information: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/hazards-a-z/quad-bikes-and-side-by-side-vehicles/quad-bike-safety
Events
Congratulations to the Guyra Polox Carnival Committee held on 14th and 15th of March at the Richard White Memorial Polox fields at Bald Blair.
We really enjoyed hosting students attending the Beef Production intensive school at the University of New England with Dr Rachelle Hergenhan, B Rural Science (Hons), PhD and Professor Peter McGilchrist
Professor in Meat Science - School of Environmental and Rural Science.
ANZAC DAY
This coming Saturday is ANZAC Day. It is a day to remember those who have served, those who are serving and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in all wars, so that we may live the life that we live. We cannot take our freedom for granted. Lest we Forget.
Listening
NAB Morning Call
Overnight key economic and market information straight from NAB's team of expert market economists and strategists. Now includes our Weekend Edition! https://news.nab.com.au/tag/podcasts
Humans of Agriculture - how to get more students to study agriculture and eventually work in agriculture:
https://humansofagriculture.com/stories
The Angus Table
Reading
Become a Subscriber
A humble newspaper bringing you the stories, experiences and insights of the innovators, creatives and business builders living outside the traditional metropolitan mould. Subscribing to the paper is the very best way to support our work [and your only way to get your hands on a copy of the paper]
The Angus Bulletin - new look!
2026 Autumn Angus Bulletin by Angus Australia - Issuu
Watching
Alice Mabin has been working very hard on a new documentary called “Revealed” Uncovering the truth behind what we consume. Check out the preview here: Revealed
Kind regards
Kirsty, Sam, Abbott and Arthur
