The Boundary Rider's Report September 2025
The Boundary Rider’s Report September 2025
Introduction
How good is it to welcome spring this year, especially after the massive snow event we recently experienced. The only significant damage was to the chookshed with one casualty and the remaining 5 being rescued with the angle grinder, They were laying regularly in their new makeshift arrangement, so had survived the ordeal ok, only to be eaten by a working dog a few weeks later!
We recently attended The Armidale School Cadet Passing out Parade and formal cadet dinner which is a highlight of the school calendar and a very proud moment for us watching Arthur march again this year and do a toast at the dinner to the TAS Cadet Unit. Cheers!
Season
We are sharing the snow photos from just before the bull sale as our last blog was all bull sale photos. There are more videos and reels on our social media accounts https://www.facebook.com/baldblairangus
Rainfall to date at Bald Blair 582 mm, at Kolora 723 mm, at Gatwood 638 mm, at Aberfoyle 665 mm. Note the disparity in rainfall between properties, the reality is one portion of Bald Blair has had over 650 mm, but at the station there has been a lower amount. In short the soil water table is tanked in this neck of the woods. We are looking forward to all the challenges of a wet spring, including potential for bloat. We can practically hear the grass grow.
Market
Earlier this month at a local sheep sale Cull rams went for $202! Well done to Wayne Jenkyn and the Elders team raising $7900 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. We were glad to be able to support the cause and truly hope we never have to use it. The sheep market is strong.
The cattle livestock markets are looking good with the EYCI at 908.34 and rising. For more detailed reports you can check out Eastern States Young Cattle Indicator | Meat & Livestock Australia or subscribe to https://agritrends.com/
Cattle
Spring cows are at the end of their calving cycle. The Autumn stud cows have been pregnancy tested and we are very happy with the result, especially with the ET program, which is always a challenge. The autumn stud calves are in the yards for a week of weaning protocols and looking good with temperament scoring done. Our yearling bulls (next year's sale bulls) are on weekly rotations on high performance pastures with the Optiweight and growing out well. It's always good to see the daily weight gains on our phone in the evening from the comfort of the lounge chair!
We are preparing for the spring joining and loving the Matesel program - well done Angus Australia and thank you to the team at Angus for talking Sam through how to use it - game changer. Check it out here:
https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/breeding/matesel
Sheep
A few early lambs have arrived and experienced a rough start with the extreme weather 2 weeks ago and we are on the hunt for foxes as regularly as possible. Fox numbers in our area have increased dramatically and are a real concern.
Weeds
The jackaroos are out and about on the quick spray between feeding up and animal husbandry jobs. It is a good feeling to have a pre-emptive strike on the nodding thistles this year and getting them at the rosette stage as opposed to the full bloom stage.
Integrity Systems NLIS/LPAQA
Did you see the recent email from integrity systems about the new European Union Deforestation Regulations coming into effect, they wanted to emphasise how important opting in to the new LPA Geolocation tool is for ALL Australian cattle producers – not just those who are EUCAS-accredited.
All cattle producers impacted by EUDR - New FMD vaccine - Webinar recordings available
Work Health and Safety
$1000 SafeWork small business rebate - can be used for drones.
https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/1000-safework-small-business-rebate
Farm Security
Officers attached to New England Police District commenced an investigation after an unknown person stole a Can-Am ATV and chainsaw, from a property on Wards Mistake Road, Guyra sometime between Wednesday 27 August and Sunday 31 August 2025.
As investigations continue, police are appealing to anyone with information or CCTV footage to contact Guyra Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Latest News - NSW Police Public Site
Country Content to your inbox
Looking for some rural news, check out these country content creators:
MLA: https://www.mla.com.au/news-and-events/industry-news/?q=&topics=&category=193&pageSize=21&page=1
The Weekly: Detail in data delivers consistent lambing results
Pandaemonium: https://www.pandaemonium.org/
Skye Manson: https://companyonsundays.substack.com/
Sophie Hanson '5 things to be cheerful about' emails Sophie x https://local-lovely.com/
Gala:Galah is an independent cultural magazine documenting what's creative, interesting and original about regional Australia and the people who live here.https://www.galahpress.com/
Found the magazine and website dedicated to what's happening in regional NSW: https://youfoundreggie.com.au/
Events
The Angus Foundation is thrilled to once again be offering five scholarships for young Angus Australia members to attend the highly regarded Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment School, proudly run by the Angus NSW Committee.
When: 1st–3rd December 2025
Where: Tocal Agricultural College, NSW
Recognised as Australia’s leading hands-on beef cattle selection course, this is your chance to gain real-world skills, build industry connections, and sharpen your beef cattle assessment ability — all while having your course costs covered!
ANDREW SWAN MEMORIAL HANDICAP
Armidale Cycling Club will be hosting this road race on:
Saturday 13th September 2pm
60km of handicap racing, all regional riders with an Auscycling race licence very welcome.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FJ2SnqM6m/
Ladies in Livestock
The Ladies in Livestock Network is back with another event roadshow, this time focused on preventing livestock disease.
Allied Rural Marketing will help you learn how to identify and prevent livestock diseases, choose the right vaccines, and safely store and administer them for healthier, more productive herds.
Choose to join us in:
Tenterfield - 16 September
Walcha - 17 September
Inverell - 23 September
Guyra - 24 September
Learn more or register athttps://bit.ly/3V4BP5r
Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) Ambassadors for the Red Meat Industry workshops are continuing in 2025–26 and we want you (our ambassador alumni) to help spread the word!
Workshops will be held at the following locations:
• Adelaide: 2–3 Dec 2025
• Sydney: 10–11 Feb 2026
• Brisbane: 17–18 March 2026
• Melbourne: 14–15 April 2026
• Darwin: 12–13 May 2026
Farm Survey
The UNE FarmTransfer Survey is the first national survey of farm business succession to be made in 20 years with the aim of improving one of the most challenging aspects of agriculture.
The team of researchers behind FarmTransfer survey would like 700 respondents to put data behind anecdotes on why some families successfully negotiate succession, and some do not.
The survey will provide contemporary insights into how families succeed at this process, and why they fail. The information will support farm groups and consultants who are working to improve the farm succession process.
Any personal details gathered during the study will remain confidential. The survey will be anonymous.
This project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of New England (Approval No HE24-146 / HE24-146, Valid to 30/09/2025).
Feel free to contact them with any questions about this research by email at lnewsom3@une.edu.au, phone on 02 6773 1786 or andrew.lawson@une.edu.au, phone (02) 6773 3551
https://unesurveys.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d1pLsvqbO7Q7sEe
New England Rural Women’s Day
Tickets nearly all sold out!
17 October 2025
Achill Station Woolshed, Armidale
Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/new-england-rural-womens-day-luncheon-at-achill-station-tickets-1560317374269
Guyra Timepiece Campdraft
21 - 23 November 2025
Guyra Showground.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BXRkkqskf/
Watching
Late to the party - Yellowstone!
Skye Manson has a great list here:
The Mid Week Missive - by Skye Manson - Company on Sundays
However you need to subscribe - why not support a great country writer and podcaster.
Reading
The Women by Kristin Hannah https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Women_(Hannah_novel)
Listening
John Anderson
Please provide a google review and we will send you a Bald Blair Angus Handtowel.
https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x6b9f15c891f081c9:0x933ff69b5ef9ae7d!12e1?source=g.page.m.ia._&laa=nmx-review-solicitation-ia2
