As surely as the sun rises in the morning, spring slips to summer. The flush of green has turned golden, with the grass rapidly setting seed and going off. The paddocks feel different now—still beautiful, but carrying that familiar hint of dryness that reminds us the hot months are here.

The bull has enjoyed his time on the Rock Farm. He bonded well with the girls, and even though it took him a little while to get used to the layout of the farm, he happily followed the cows through the gates. Watching him settle in has been a quiet pleasure, one of those small farm moments that mark the rhythm of the year.

Our minds have now turned to summer preparedness. We’ve tested the fire pumps, refreshed ourselves with training at the RFS, and even attended our first fire of the season. It was a stark reminder that the landscape is shifting quickly. We’ll keep our fingers crossed, stay alert, and hope for a gentle summer. That balance between readiness and optimism is part of life out here, and it shapes our seasonal routines.

Some genuinely exciting news hit the cattle industry in NSW this week with the approval of virtual fencing technology. Described as a smart watch for cows, it uses GPS and audio cues to guide stock without the need for physical fences. For producers, it opens the door to new grazing strategies, improved pasture management, and far more flexibility in how we move animals across the landscape. It’s early days, but the potential is enormous, and it’s encouraging to see innovation that supports both animal welfare and land stewardship. More details can be found here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-14/virtual-fencing-legalised-nsw/106128536

We will be looking at purchasing a virtual fencing system in the new year. Whilst our place has lots of small paddocks, this will allow us to managing our grazing more precisely, establish more trees without the need to construct expensive tree guards, and more effectively manage severe weather events such as flash flooding.

Summer may be settling in, but there’s always something new to learn, something to prepare for, and something to look forward to on the Rock Farm. As we wrap up another busy year on the Rock Farm, we’re grateful for the small wins, the lessons learned, and the steady rhythm of life on the land. From our family to yours, we wish you a peaceful Christmas and a safe, gentle start to the New Year. May the season bring good rain, good company, and plenty of reasons to smile.