Newsletter No 19 November 2009.

Hasn't it been a crazy season? You would think that the eastern side was a million miles from the west. As one agent said bloat on one side and hand feeding only a few miles away. As for spring what happened to it? It started hot with no rain then some rain came and turned cold . Pasture growth was non existent for some time. At Westvale we are just hanging on. Much better than some. Let's hope and pray that we soon get a good fall everywhere to flush dams and wet the sub soil, as well as settle the heat of the past 10days. I haven't any good stories about the wool market except to say that the worse the wool the better it seems to sell .How about 620 cents kg for shanks!!!!! We would like to see Europe get going again and get the stylish end of the market on the move.We have held our better lines for later but don't know how much later. The lamb and mutton sales have been good and this helps to keep the Merino breeder afloat. In the sixty years since Westvale Stud was formed it has had one major aim-this is to breed a true traditional style Superefine Wool which transforms into top fashion apparel of the world. This type of production needs to be preserved as trends tend to compromise the wool aspects in favour of meat production. Prices have not favoured quality wool in recent times but there will always be a need for quality as the world standards improve. We need to keep breeding these kinds of sheep so as the industry can benefit when good times return. Our staff have stayed the same as last year except for an addition to the Matthews family. Sophie Louise was born on August 20th giving Cindi and Scott a sister for Nicholas now 20th months old. Cory, Maree, Dylan and Samara have settled into Bonnie Doon and made it a real home. Cory has been busy in the garden which is a hard chore as the house is settled on clay the site having been bulldozed on the side of a hill. Our thoughts are with you one and all at this time of the year. Depending on age and circumstances it can be a happy, frustrating, anxious, sad or lonely time. We pray that God will be with you to help ease those anxious times and help you enjoy the season of goodwill and family happiness.Our kind regards, Leo & Judy.

SOn the Home Front. Judy and myself enjoyed a caravan trip in May. Started by going south and crossing the Murray River at Rutherglen and travelling on the southern side to South Australia. Then headed north to the Flinders Ranges where we stayed at Wilpena Pound, which we explored by foot, car and fixed wing aeroplane to really enjoy the spectacle. We continued onto Leigh Creek and Maree. From there we flew over Lake Ayre by helicopter which was more than half full at the time ( the chance of a lifetime) From there we ventured up the infamous Birdsville track making a stop at Mungaraine which is an oasis in the gibber plains. Great pub and hot springs. Birdsville was looking good having recent floods down the Warburton. Onto Windora-Longreach-Isis Downs to see the famous old half circle woolshed. No sheep now only cattle. South to Quilpi, Cunnamulla, Moree and home. I can't wait for the next trip. 2009 has been a " hard to keep up with year " family wise. Perhaps it is just that we are getting older. January saw Andrew and Melissa, Rylan and Piper leave for four weeks in Mexico. I must admit that we were very anxious but they had a wonderful time with no mishaps at all. Toni, Christopher and the girls have a beach house at Bonnie Hills and spent most of January there along with visits from Cindy and family and also the Oldies. Natalie (eldest) did a Uni Prac on islands off Arnham Land in the Aboriginal community She is doing a degree in Health. Lucy (2) spent 10days in Rep Sth Africa with her school in an orphanage. She has been selected vice Captain of her school in Strathfield of Santa Sabina. Bella has had several excursions with school and friends. Cindy seems to be always busy with her boys. Brad is home at present ( turned 21 this year) Mitch has moved to Sydney ( had an audition with NIDA and checking out NSW Uni which he has pre selection for) and Damon goes into year 10 and is just about to go on an End of Year excursion. Leo is just about over his tangle with the auger and Judy with the lawn mower. Looking forward to Christmas as we will have the whole family home. Field Days after New Year so will have a busy start to 2010.

LIFE…….ITS NOTHING LIKE THE BROCHURES

We rejoice and give thanks for earthworms, bees ,ladybirds and broody hens; for humans tending their gardens, talking to the animals, cleaning their homes and singing to themselves; for the rising of the sap, the fragrance of growth, the invention of the wheelbarrow and the existence of the teapot, we give thanks. .

A NOTE FROM SCOTT

Well it's that time of year again. The last six months have been interesting and tough. The seasons don't seem to want to play the same game as us ,let alone the economy, but we have to look forward and up. We have been fortunate to have a couple of new pasture paddocks that have helped keep our younger sheep growing well and they are looking the part. The new sires are doing what we hoped visually. As we don't have all the figures yet I can't make comments on them but these figures will be on display at the Field Days on 9th January 2010. The young rams are doing well and are a strong team. The average for the young rams are Micron-16.3. Yield-76.9. CV-18.7. The woolly Two Year Rams are bright , superfine and well defined in the crimp. Two of these are visually Ultrafine. There are Two ((2) rams for the Armidale Ram Sales and Fourteen (14) for our On Property Sale. The average for the Two Year Old Rams are Micron -17.2. SD - 2.8. CV - 16.7. On the 20th August 2009 Cindi, Nicholas and I had a new addition to our family which we are very excited about. Sophie Louise ,born 3.6kg or 8.1lbs now makes our pigeon pair to complete our family. We hope to see you at either the Field Days or our On Property Sale on 10th February,2010. On behalf of my family we hope everybody has an enjoyable Christmas and Happy New Year.

A NOTE FROM CORY
A few hot windy days lately have seen Westvale drying our rapidly and like most we are looking for rain. Our recently established pastures have now been destocked to allow them to recover quickly when rain does come. I hope it happens sooner than later. We have a block sprayed out ready for millet for silage and have everything on- farm ready to plant as soon as the weather allows. Currently I'm married to the spray rig working on our thistle "eradication" plan ( like that's going to happen in my life time ). I only wish I could get pastures to grow as well as the weeds. Well anyway, I hope you all have a great Christmas and Happy New Year. We all hope that the New Year brings better times for everyone. Regards. Cory, Maree ,Dylan and Samara..

NEW ENGLAND MERINO FIELD DAYS JANUARY 9th, 2010.

We will be participating in the Field Days in January.
This will give you an opportunity to see or Sale Rams and the breeding trends we have been aiming for. Scott has told you about the sale rams in his message but I want to add that we are very happy with the team we are presenting.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS.
New England Merino Field Days
Saturday 9th January 2010
Armidale Ram Show and Sale
2nd & 3rd February 2010
Westvale On Property Sale
10th February,2010.
Private Sales from
11th February,2010.


Vale. Allan ( Greg) Waters.
We were saddened to hear of the passing of client Greg after a long illness. Greg trained as a teacher and taught in Sydney for some years. He was then transferred to Boggabilla where he met Lea who was also a teacher and they eventually married.. The couple returned to the farm after the deaths of both of his parents. Greg loved his horses and the farm. He was also interested in music. ( playing the guitar) He is survived by his wife and three boys. The eldest boy is an Accountant. The second teaching an d the youngest plumbing.

Linda Ball. What a hard working refined lady.
My first memory of Linda was when I was a child and Linda delivering the milk early of a morning. At that stage in her life she had a young family but still helped with the dairy and managed her home as well. In later years we got to know her through the church in Uralla and then when she and her sons became clients of Westvale. Linda will always be remembered for her quiet unassuming ways and genuine interest in her family and friends. We miss you Linda.
During November in New England ( and probably elsewhere) many men are growing MO'S" to highlight the great problem of prostrate cancer . Our own Todd Clarke ( Schute Bell) is making a feeble attempt to grow a MOUSTACHE.

God bless,

Leo & Judy