51AVÊÓƵ

This week, you find me in a good mood.

Last week, we had the first decent drop of rain since May. Yet more is forecast at the end of the week. My coat is ready and waiting on the coat hook to be put to use.

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A welcome break from the desk

But enough about the weather. Today, I am writing this opinion from the ringside at J36 Mart. I've taken a day's holiday to come to a sheep sale. No doubt we'll take a few back roads on the way home to make the most of the Northern countryside.

My idea of a very nice day out, I must say, and it provides a nice bit of respite from the desk.

The weekend has been very sheep-filled (not the best content for a beef newsletter, I must apologise).

This weekend saw us getting tups ready at home to be advertised and sold ahead of the breeding season. If I could bottle the scent of tups, I think it would make a great candle. That and the smell of Limo Shine. Anyway, I digress.

This is arguably my favourite time of year. Selling yearlings, it's like seeing all of your hard work over the past 18 months come to fruition.

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Beef takes centre stage

Sunday afternoon, I escaped from the farm ‘for a rest'…

I am not the best person at saying no, which saw me get roped into speaking on a panel at ‘Beef Stock', a newly established festival celebrating… you guessed it, beef.

But not in the typical way I would think – well-turned-out cows and talk of breeding. Instead, it was a battle to see who could cook the best BBQ. To my disappointment, I wasn't there in a judging capacity, but to speak on a panel with three fellow Young Farmers members about the future of our industry.

We chatted about what we did, our interests, our investment in YFC and also where we saw the future of farming. All while keeping things relatively ‘untechnical', with the majority of the audience being non-farming.

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A glass-half-full

Not only did it bring us together to use our public speaking skills, but it was an honour to sit alongside three of the next generation. Despite all of us being ‘farmers' sons and daughters', with a keen interest in keeping the family farming businesses going, it highlighted the diversity in systems and careers.

But what stood out the most was how glass-half-full we were. All chomping at the bit and keen to see our industry thrive.

So, it's good vibes all round, really. Happy Monday, all!