On my last Rock Farm update, we were making preparations for drought. We decided not to join half of our cows, had started watering trees and arranged for a local contractor to de-silt a dry dam (https://rockfarming.com/2023/11/21/dry-times-present-a-new-opportunity/. The cattle prices had bottomed out and things were looking pretty grim, but we had a plan.

We careered towards the end of the year at a frantic pace. The big red truck was indeed made ready for the school formal (and performed admirably). Tractors, mowers and cars were set to work. School finished for the year and then we took a much anticipated holiday. To Japan.

My parents kindly became caretakers whilst we were away, moving stock, chipping weeds and keeping the place from descending into chaos.  And how lucky we were. The cattle all behaved themselves, the pump provided water to the troughs as designed. There were no catastrophic pipe leaks. But the most amazing thing happened whilst we were away. It rained.

So we left in Summer – and came back from our holiday two weeks later in Spring. The recently dug out dam was full, the grass green and growing and the cattle in excellent condition. Our drought plan has gone out the window…. or has it?

I am still cautious about what our rainfall will be like heading into winter. As such, our plan really won’t change. We will wean the calves in late March or so, and send the unjoined cows into the sale yards, followed by the weaners a few weeks later. This will reduce the feed pressure on the farm over winter – and hopefully make the most of the uptick in cattle prices. The rain has allowed us to delay weaning, but it won’t fundamentally alter our plan.

In the meantime, the weeds have leapt out of the ground. Despite my reluctance to use chemicals, I have relented, and spot sprayed some of our worst weeds – Tree of Heaven, St John’s Wort, Serrated Tussock and two patches of dreaded African Lovegrass. I hope that my small amount of spot spraying this year, will allow me to keep on top of the re-growth with nothing more than my chipper.

It is great to be home. Our family holiday was all the more special now our elder son has finished school and is about to embark on his own journey. It was an amazing gift my parents gave us, the opportunity to have our holiday knowing everything at home was in safe hands. Thank you Mum and Dad!!

This year will be one of consolidation. We have spent the last six years on the Rock Farm repairing and establishing fences, planting trees and building our herd. This year we will start to turn our attention to our house. We have leaking gutters and an ancient patio that is about to collapse that demand our immediate attention outside. We will also plan a long overdue kitchen and bathroom renovation that we will commence in 2025. 

We hope that wherever you are, you had a lovely break over the silly season and hope that 2024 is a prosperous and happy year for you.