As we have slid into autumn, our hopes for an autumn break didn’t eventuate. Passing storms missed our property by literally hundreds of meters. Driving through puddles just a short distance from home, with wipers on, turned into not-quite-damp dust on our driveway. It was almost worse to find not even a trace of rain in the gauge. We are by no means alone—much of the south-eastern part of the country is desperately dry, despite the record rains and floods that affected Queensland just a few weeks ago.

Any chance of the grass growing this winter has all but gone. The first frost signals the end of the growing season. With little grass remaining, we have commenced feeding our remaining cattle.

Feeding has been a little more difficult with the tractor still out of action. Thankfully the Not-So-Little Helpers still turn up occasionally. They get press ganged into helping me roll the remaining round bales into the trailer for feeding out.

We delayed purchasing hay with the tractor broken, but eventually had to order a truckload. It should arrive by the end of the week. In the two weeks since ordering, prices for hay delivered on-farm have gone up another 25%. Thankfully, our wonderful neighbours will bring their tractor over to help us unload. This should see us through until spring.

The good news is that, according to local folklore, as Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre fills with water, it brings wetter weather. This should set us up for a reasonable spring. Watch this space!

Our decision to sell the weaners early seems to have been sound. Cattle prices in the local area have dropped dramatically as producers seek to reduce numbers. Apparently, there is strong demand further north to replace losses from the floods and take advantage of the good rainfalls. The money from the sale of our heifers didn’t last long—it went on the hay!

One advantage of the dry weather is that the little dam in our garden dried out. For many years, I’d promised Jo a jetty. I even managed to construct the deck a while back. Running fast out of excuses—and with the youngest Helper back from university—we got it installed, much to the one remaining chicken’s satisfaction. Result: one happy wife… and chicken!

Thankfully, the fire danger period ended without any major fires in the district. That said, there were a few smaller fires that threatened houses later in the season. With the eldest Helper now a fully fledged member of our local brigade, we went to a couple of these fires. Despite the serious nature of the work, it was a lot of fun working with this chap!

It was great to have both boys home to celebrate Mother’s Day. The youngest Helper came back from university in Sydney for the occasion. We slow-cooked a lamb shoulder in the camp oven, which was delicious. Dinner was followed by a wonderful night catching up over a few beers. These moments are all too precious now that both these fine young men are making their way in the world.

The farm has taken a back seat this year as we continue to renovate our home. Sadly, my updates on the blog have also fallen behind. The house is progressing (slowly). We’ve moved on from demolition and are now rebuilding subfloors and getting our plumbing repaired and roughed in. Between feeding the cattle and working on the house, I’ve also taken on a new project at work. It’s filling my days—and my cup. But it doesn’t stop us from taking time to just pause and hang out with the cattle to re-set every now and then.

All in all, it’s been a busy few months, but we’re getting through it—one job at a time. The support of family, neighbours, and the Helpers has made all the difference. With a bit of luck and some rain, we’re hopeful the season ahead will be a little easier.