Special Interests Archives - Page 103 of 121

Senepol Bull Top Seller

October 12, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

The 5 Star Senepol and African Hybrid Bull Sale was held at CQLX Gracemere in Queensland last month. The sale was a huge success for Geoff and Alison Maynard of Mt Eugene Jambin.

A total of 78 out of 80 bulls were sold on auction with the remaining two sold afterwards. The average of the sale was $6,853, with the top of the sale, Lot 25 a purebred Senepol, selling for $16,000 to the Heatley Cattle Co in Northern Queensland.

Clayton and Sarah Maynard from Southern Star Rural, Canowindra had 13 lots for auction at the sale. All lots sold with a top of $6,500. On offer at Southern Star Rural are a variety of purebred Senepol, and crossbred Senepol/Angus (Senegus) and Senepol/ Charolais (Senelais) bulls.

For more information contact Clayton Maynard on 0439 029 204 or email clayton.maynard@southernstarrural.com.au

Jemalong Wool Weekly Market Update

October 12, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

45,838 bales were put before the trade this week as Fremantle returned after a weeks recess.

On the first selling day prices were quickly discounted, with 18 to 23 microns experiencing 25-50 cent losses, with the lesser style and spec lots posting the biggest falls, while the best style and strength lots in the finer micron ranges managed to record small gains. Day two saw a reversal with price movements shifting into positive territory, with the entire merino spectrum selling at levels 10-20 cents above the previous day. The NRI managed a 16 cent rise, to finish the week at 1,636, an overall loss of 14 cents for the week.

The skirting market saw prices generally reduced by 20-30 cents, with higher VM lots most affected, as buyers favoured the FNF types. The crossbred sector also shed 15-30 cents as did the oddment market with most types and descriptions dropping 15-20 cents.

Next week’s offering reduces slightly, currently there are 42,872 bales rostered for sale.

Source AWEX.

Solutions For Indoor And Outdoor Areas

October 5, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Amber Orange (formerly known as Orange Tile Market) is one of the newest additions to the Amber team and the largest store yet!

Serving Orange and its surrounding regions, Amber offers a variety of indoor and outdoor tiles, natural stone tiles, mosaic tiles, pavers, retaining walls and artificial grass.

Amber Orange staff can provide customers with personalised and cost effective solutions for both indoor and outdoor areas.

Visit Amber Tiles Orange to take advantage of the 20% off sale from 9th to 14th October. Amber Orange is located at 26- 32 Peisley Street, Orange.

Shin Splints

October 5, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

With winter sports winding up and pre-season training for summer sports commencing, it is not surprising that today I saw my first case of shin splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome), for this year.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS) is the medical name for lower leg pain that occurs below the knee on either the front outside part of the leg (anterior shin splints) or the inside of the leg (medial shin splints). MTTS is a common injury seen in many running or jumping based sports for example, basketball, netball, football or hockey.

Shin splints most commonly occur when repetitive or prolonged activities place strain on where the muscles attach to the outside lining of the bone (tenoperiosteum). Put simply, the cause of MTTS can be summed up in four words: too much too soon. Athletes often first experience shin pain early in the season due to deconditioning and when training surfaces are generally harder. Later in the season it can be caused by increased load or fatigue from over training and not allowing enough time for recovery between activities.

If you have shin splints stretch your calf muscles regularly through the day. Another good stretch is to kneel on a carpeted floor with your legs and feet together and toes pointed directly back then slowly sit back onto your heels, pushing your ankles onto the floor until you feel tension in the muscles in your shin. Hold for 15 seconds then relax and repeat. When you return to sport, increase your load slowly and avoid running on hills and hard surfaces until your pain goes completely.

“For the fitness of you”

Linda Reilly

Diabetes Prevention

September 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

One Australian develops diabetes every 5 minutes, yet 60% of type 2 diabetes could be prevented (or delayed) through healthy diet and lifestyle. These healthy tips aim to help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and help manage blood sugar levels for people who have diabetes.

One of the best ways to prevent diabetes is to cut back on your sugar intake. For the average person, you should limit your intake to 6 teaspoons per day.

Foods with hidden sugars…..

Fruit yoghurt 175g tub = SIX TEASPOONS OF SUGAR

Orange Juice 200ml glass = FOUR TEASPOONS OF SUGAR

A handful of dried fruit = SEVEN TEASPOONS OF SUGAR

Bottle of soft drink 600ml = SIXTEEN TEASPOONS OF SUGAR

To avoid eating hidden sugars you should…

• Choose “whole”, unprocessed foods: fresh vegetables, lean meat, eggs, nuts and legumes

• Choose “whole” grains instead of processed varieties, eg: brown, grainy bread, brown rice, brown pasta

• Read the labels and look for hidden sugars

• Replace soft drinks with mineral water and a slice of lemon or orange.

There are no early symptoms of high blood sugar… approximately 500,000 Australians have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and don’t realise this is damaging their bodies while it remains untreated. The good news is that the Pharmacists at Flannery’s Pharmacy can conduct a simple risk assessment check and provide you with information and advice on diabetes or refer you to your GP for further investigation if necessary.

Teenage Cricketers And Low Back Pain

September 21, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

With a household of teenage boys, it always amuses me to see that as soon as the footy grand finals are over the cricket gear miraculously appears and watching cricket on TV for the next five months. As cricket can become a bit of an obsession for some, now is an appropriate time to highlight an injury often seen in young cricket players (under 25 years) and particularly in fast bowlers: spondylolysis.

A spondylolysis is a stress fracture in an area of the vertebrae called the pars interarticularis (pars). Pars stress fractures are thought to be caused by repetitive hyperextension and rotation loading of the spine that can occur in the bowling action. The most common site is at the level of the L5 vertebrae. Pain is usually felt on one side, occurs gradually and is aggravated by rotation and extension of the lumbar spine. In the initial phase pain will settle with rest.

Stress fractures tend to occur on the nonbowling arm side of the lower back and are typically due to errors in technique (such as a mixed bowling action, too much counter rotation or high ball release height), and/or excessive bowling work load.

If your young cricket player does complain of low back pain it is important to get a correct diagnosis. Cricket players who have had a pars stress fracture can still make a full return to sport. Initial treatment would involve rest from bowling and a rehabilitation programme focused on strengthening the deep abdominal, trunk and gluteal muscles. Bowling action may need to be modified once training is resumed.

For the fitness of you,

Linda Reilly

Wide Range Of Frames At Eyewear Specs

September 14, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Are you thinking of getting a new pair of glasses to start afresh in Spring? There are brand new frames at Eyewear Specs and you can choose from Van Staveren, Empire New York and Australian brand Clive and Wally.

Eyewear Specs also stock the most popular brand for children and adults namely Flexon/Nike. “To see what these glasses can do is nothing but extraordinary. They are made of titanium so they are ultra strong and flexible,” said owner/manager Fiona Hayward. “That is why they are perfect for children.”

And remember as a special you can get a free second pair with every new pair!

It is not just a case of getting new glasses when you feel like it. “Eye care is very important and it is essential that people have their eyes tested every two years,” says Fiona.

“Here at Eyewear Specs there is no cost to you for an eye examination as we bulk bill all testing with a valid Medicare Card.” According to Fiona there are up to 260 different eye frames and all stock is rotated every three months so you can be sure to pick an individual frame.

Make your appointment today by calling 6851 2299 or pop in at 95 Rankin Street in Forbes. “Please come and see us to have your eyes tested and we will tailor a pair of glasses to suit your individual financial budget.”

Are You Happy With The Rebate Your Health Fund Pays For Physio?

September 7, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

Recent research by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) shows that many of the major Australian health funds have not substantially increased their rebate for seeing some physiotherapists in more than a decade. The APA has said that this is “inequitable and unfairly pressures patients into the health insurer’s selection of physiotherapist, despite choice being a core tenet of the Australian private health system.” Preferred provider schemes limit your freedom to choose the physiotherapist that is best able to treat their specific injury or condition.

The APA advises that when looking for a health fund that is right for you, you should look for one that not only meets your needs and provides good rebates for the services that you need but one that offers flexibility and allows you to see the physiotherapist that you want to see should you require their services.

The preferred provider schemes offered by health funds make no distinction between the level of experience or qualifications of your treating practitioner. The rebate you receive per consultation is the same whether you were treated by a new graduate on their first day of work, or by someone like myself with an APA Sports Physio title, Masters degree and over 20 years of private practice experience. I am not part of any preferred provider scheme because I believe that, to achieve the best health outcomes, insurers should provide higher rebates for more experienced and qualified physiotherapists and they should allow you your choice of physiotherapist without you being financially disadvantaged. For the fitness of you.

Linda Reilly

Australia’s Hottest Winter On Record

September 7, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

winter with the average maximum temperature up nearly two degrees Celsius (C) above the long-term trend, according to ABC News.

The 2017 winter was the hottest since 1910 when national records began, according to Bureau of Meteorology figures released recently.

The average maximum daily temperature recorded across all Australian recording locations for June, July and August 2017 was 23.7 degrees C.

The warm weather was most pronounced in the north of Australia.

It was the hottest winter on record for Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory (NT), while New South Wales and South Australia made the top three.

Daily minimums were also warmer than average in most of northern Australia but not as far above average as the maximums. In contrast, inland NSW and northern Victoria had notably cold nights with many areas one degrees C to two degrees C below average.

NSW had its coldest average winter nights since 1997.

Meanwhile nationally it was the ninth driest winter on record. The only large area to record rainfalls significantly above average was a pocket of central NT as a result of one rain event in mid-July.

Andrew Watkins, manager of extended and long-range forecasts at the Bureau of Meteorology, said the real reason for the warmth was the persistent high pressure seen particularly during early winter.

“But you also have to add to that the long-term warming trend,” he said.

Evaporative cooling is the same process that cools you down when you sweat, taking energy from the surrounding air to convert liquid water into gaseous water vapour, leaving the surroundings cooler.

Without a lot of water on the ground this year, large scale evaporative cooling could not happen.

The clear skies also explain the low minimum or overnight temperatures in the southern states.

Without a blanket of clouds, the heat from the day is lost to space, and temperatures drop overnight.

But that is not all, Dr Watkins said: “We’ve also seen fewer cold fronts able to penetrate inland due to the slow moving and more southerly highs acting as a barrier to their normal northward progression”.

So not only has high-pressure prevented rain in the north but it has also prevented

the cold fronts which normally bring rain in the south during winter.

According to the climate scientists at the Bureau of Meteorology, the story behind the heat in northern Australia is more about what has not been happening.

In a standard winter there would be several south-easterly surges, bringing cold air into the tropics.

This year these surges were almost completely missing — blocked by that high pressure — until very late in the season.

AGRIFUTURES AUSTRALIA HAS NEW PURPOSE HAS NEW PURPOSE

September 7, 2017 by Maggi Barnard

AgriFutures Australia is the new trading name for Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC).

RIRDC has made an important contribution to Australian agriculture over the past 25 years. The new identity is a culmination of hard work from past directors, employees, farmers and partners.

With new headquarters in regional NSW, the AgriFutures Australia team has come up with a ‘clear and unyielding mandate’ to grow the long-term prosperity of Australian rural industries through research and innovation.

AgriFutures Australia invests in research, leadership, innovation and learning to enhance the long-term prosperity of rural industries and communities across Australia.

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