Special Interests Archives - Page 12 of 121

Historic Highs For Australian Beef, Lamb And Mutton

August 21, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released the latest statistics on livestock slaughtered and red meat production, which according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has confirmed a historic period for the red meat sector.

Financial year 2024-2025 has seen beef production reach an all time high, lamb slaughter maintained near-record levels, and mutton throughput surging to its highest volume since 2007. The results reflect the strength, resilience, and strategic adaptability and forward thinking of Australian producers across diverse seasonal conditions, according to MLA’s Acting Market Information Manager, Erin Lukey.

“These results show that continued adoption of new technology and innovation onfarm, along with investments in supply chain efficiency, are continuing to pay dividends across the supply chain,” Ms Lukey said.

“Despite seasonal challenges in some parts of Australia, the industry has delivered record beef production and maintained strong lamb and mutton throughput.”

Australia processed 8.88 million head of cattle in FY25, which is the third-largest annual slaughter since 1978 and the highest since the drought-driven peak in 2015.

Showcasing Innovation And Sustainability In Central West Agriculture

August 21, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Through the Adapt 2 project, Central West Local Land Services is gearing up for a season of hands-on learning and collaboration with a series of spring events designed to engage local farmers and showcase practical strategies for sustainable agriculture.

On 3 September, the Parkes Grazing Forum will bring together producers, researchers and industry experts to explore innovative grazing strategies and share insights on improving pasture management and livestock productivity.

In October, a series of field days will provide hands-on learning at dual-purpose cropping trial sites, showcasing how integrated cropping systems can boost both profitability and sustainability. Walks of the National Variety Trials will showcase new varieties, discussing traits and potential fits for farming systems across the Central West.

“Through our Adapt 2 project, we’re building strong peer networks and providing practical skills that help producers adopt low-emission practices, improve efficiency, and participate in carbon and natural capital conservation,” said Pip Doolan, Senior Land Services Officer.

Farmers can register for the Parkes Grazing Forum via nsw.gov.au/lls-events.

To learn more about the spring field days or the Adapt 2 project, contact Central West ag team on 1300 795 299.

Registrations Now Open For 2025 Forbes National BBQ Championships

August 14, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Get ready to fire up the grill! Registrations are now open for the highly anticipated 2025 Forbes National BBQ Championships.

Returning to Grinstead Oval in Forbes on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October 2025, this sizzling competition will once again bring together the best barbeque talent from across the country, with teams set to battle it out across four mouth-watering categories:

Chicken, Beef, Lamb Rack and Pork Loin.

Last year’s event drew teams from NSW, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia, along with more than 1,500 spectators who turned out to enjoy the smoky spectacle, food, live entertainment and family-friendly atmosphere.

“This event just keeps growing. It’s a real celebration of Australian barbeque culture and a fantastic way to showcase Forbes as a destination for food, fun and great community spirit,” Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said.

Sunday’s smoking competition is sanctioned by the Australian Barbecue Alliance, ensuring top-tier competition standards and judging, and adding extra prestige for those chasing points on the national circuit.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a passionate backyard grill master, the National BBQ Championships offer a chance to test your skills, showcase your flavours, compete for serious bragging rights, and $20,000 worth of prizes.

For more information and to register, head www.forbes.nsw.gov.au/events or follow National BBQ Championships Forbes on Facebook.

We are also putting on a vibrant market area, and we are on the lookout for stallholders!If you sell handmade goods, arts, crafts, sweet treats, clothing, local produce, or anything fun and fabulous – this is your chance to be part of a bustling event that drew over 1,500 spectators last year…and growing.

Spaces are limited so don’t miss out on this smokin’ opportunity to showcase your products. Submit your Expression of Interest: https://shorturl.at/C01lc

$3 Million To Help NSW Landholders

August 14, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Central West Landholder Ian Chapman at his property in Stuart Town.

The Minns Labor Government is investing $3 million to help farmers improve their farming operations, profitability and environmental sustainability through developing natural capital projects.

In farming, natural capital refers to the stock of natural resources—like soil, water, plants, animals, and ecosystems—that farmers rely on to produce food, fibre, and other goods.

Ian Chapman is a cattle farmer with a 1000-acre property in Stuart Town, Central West NSW.

While the concept of natural capital is new, Ian has been practicing sustainable agriculture since the 1990s, taking an interest in P.A. Yeomans’ keyline farm design principles, and then managing his property holistically since 2006.

Ian started planting trees on his property in the late 90s, and in 2021. Since then, he has planted more than 32,000 trees and shrubs across 40 hectares – more than 20 species of eucalypts, acacia, and more.

Ian said “Local Land Services helped us identify our native plant community type and I went to a few workshops and field days.

“At one stage we were having issues with waterlogged areas of the farm, and Local Land Services helped us come up with some solutions.

Ian can now apply for carbon credits under the Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme to generate an income from this project.

Local Land Services’ natural capital advisors can help landholders understand what environmental market opportunities may be available to them.

Landholders are encouraged to contact their Local Land Services office on 1300 795 299 or visit the website for more information.

Opening Of The Blacksmith Shop At The Henry Parkes Museum

August 7, 2025 by Roxane Manley

You are all invited to join Mr Phil Donato MP, Patron of the Henry Parkes Museum, for the official opening of the newly restored Blacksmith Shop. Come along on Wednesday he 13 August from 10:30am to 11:30am at he Henry Parkes Museum, 66-78 Peak Hill Road. Entry is just a gold coin donation.

Step back into Parkes’ early foundry days as you explore some of the historical significance, such as, Earl Symonds, who estabished the original blacksmith shop on this very site, Richard Venables, of Venables & Co, a pioneering blacksmith engineer, Iron ounder John Westcott, Carriage & Coachbuilding Factory contributions to regional transport and many other local blacksmiths, foundries and carriage builders, including Arthur Cheney, Robert Turnbull and Charles Smart to name a few.

Our exhibit features authentic tools, period-correct machinery and the fascinating stories behind each artifact and the opportunity to participate in an interactive ropemaking display.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers whose tireless efforts have brought the Blacksmith Shop back to life. Their dedication has made this project possible.

Please confirm your attendance by Friday, 8 August by email: shpm15@outlook.com

Rural Ambassador Information Afternoon

August 7, 2025 by Roxane Manley

The call out is for entrants between 18 and 29 years of age with a passion for rural and regional Australia.

The Rural Ambassador Award is a National Competition that highlights and celebrates young people who have a genuine interest in rural and regional Australia.

The Parkes Rural Ambassador competition has been running since 2022. The three previous winners of the competition were Jess Kinsela in 2024, Joel Maguire in 2023 and Sally Wright in 2022.

The competition aims to build and develop the skills of our future leaders, volunteers and community members through a professional development series.

Ali Hall from The Parkes Show Committee said “Anyone that is interested in what the competition is and is considering doing something to develop their professional skills and get involved in the Parkes community or the local show. Bring a friend and enjoy a chat, over a beer and pizza, with some of the committee members and other potential entrants.”

Participation in the Parkes Show Rural Ambassador competition offers more than just a chance to win a title. It provides an opportunity to connect with like minded individuals who share a passion for agriculture and community involvement.

“The information afternoon will be an informal gathering. There will be information and entry forms available and the opportunity for those considering the opportunity to ask questions or get a better feel for the event. Organised as a light hearted, drop in and bump out as works for each person from 6pm until 8pm,” said Ali.

Event organisers are hugely thankful for the sponsors of the competition, Sunrise Energy, Worklocker, Tanswell Transport, The Corner Office Co, Parkes Decor Shoppe, Double J Angus and Somewhere…in Parkes.

The Rural Ambassador Information Afternoon is being held Friday 8th August from 6pm at ‘Somewhere In Parkes’ 310-314 Clarinda St. You can call the Show Office on 0467 622 580 or just pop into the Show office at 61 Welcome St.

Grand Opening Of The Lachie Cafe

July 31, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Head along to Forbes’ newest eatery, The Lachie Cafe next Monday 4 August, and meet the owners Kenneth and Christine. The couple started Just Eat Me Grazing in November last year, with Christine saying: “It was purely because my baby was very attached and I needed to ensure our bills were getting paid. We expected so little, but it just blossomed to the point we needed to find a permanent shop.”

The Lachie Cafe is situated inside the Forbes Lachlan Vintage Village Information Centre. “The Lachie Cafe has always been a dream of mine. Driving past the Lachlan Vintage Village for the last three years after moving here from Canberra, I’ve always loved the space. So when the opportunity came up, we took it and ran with it! Opening the cafe door on Monday is beyond exciting and I’m eager to show Forbes what we offer,” said Christine.

Locals and visitors who experience The Lachie Cafe can expect friendly faces, freshly prepared food in the grab and go, a carefully thought-out menu, along with daily specials. Customer service is a priority for Kenneth, Christine and the staff, and serving spectacular food and beverages to customers is their first and foremost goal.

Cristine lives by the philosophy of ‘good food done well’ and that’s exactly what customers will find at The Lachie Cafe. Everyone is invited to the grand opening on Monday 4 August from 7am – 4pm, with 20% off everything on the day!

Complacency Is One Of Agriculture’s Most Dangerous Habits

July 24, 2025 by Roxane Manley

We’ve all heard it. We’ve all said it. “It’s fine, I’ve done it a hundred times before.” As National Farm Safety Week continues, Farmsafe Australia is turning its attention to one of the most stubborn, and underestimated, risks in agriculture: complacency.

Farmsafe Chair Felicity Richards says complacency often doesn’t look like a risk at all because it wears the mask of routine, experience, and efficiency.

“Complacency isn’t about being careless,” says Richards. “It’s about being too comfortable. Too familiar. Too confident that things will go as they always have. And that’s when the cracks start to show.”

This year’s Safer Farms Report shows the confronting truth: despite new tech, better gear and more awareness, serious injuries and near misses are not going down.

In 2024, 72 people lost their lives on Australian farms which is more than double the year before, and the highest fatality figure in over two decades.

Many of those incidents involved common, everyday jobs; moving vehicles and equipment, operating tractors, handling stock. “These aren’t extreme, one-in-a-million scenarios,” says Richards. “They’re ordinary jobs. The kind we do all the time. And that’s exactly what makes them dangerous.”

Fly High For Mental Health In Memory Of Corey Woodhouse

July 24, 2025 by Roxane Manley

Jason and Michelle Woodhouse with Corey Woodhouse (back right) and Kaylee and Jaxon in front.

During the month of August, Jason Woodhouse of Forbes will be fundraising in memory of his son Corey Woodhouse, who he lost almost two years ago to suicide. All funds raised will be donated to Kids Helpline and Headspace.

Corey was only 14 years old when he tragically took his own life and Jason said to his wife Michelle, “We need to do something. No one should feel this pain.” Jason wants Corey’s short time in this world to mean something and he wants to show Corey’s siblings, Kaylee and Jaxon, and other young kids, that help is out there.

“It took too long to get the help Corey needed in the year prior to Corey taking his life, and as parents we didn’t know where to get help. So, I need to help educate parents and kids where to go if they need help,” said Jason.

Corey loved everything about planes – he was always making paper planes and even started flying lessons at the age of 13. The people of Forbes and Parkes can assist during August by purchasing paper planes to write their name on, from their local Bernardi’s Marketplace, Discount Daves Parkes or Coles Parkes. People can also donate raffle or auction items and drop them to Bernardi Forbes (Kathrine Wright) and Coles Parkes (Hope Ross).

The community is invited to an auction being held Saturday 23 August at 5pm for 6pm start at the Forbes Bowling Club, on the bowling ground. Businesses can help by donating items to the auction; all money raised will go to Kids Helpline and Headspace. Forbes Livestock will be assisting on the evening as auctioneer.

Then, on Sunday 24 August, Jason will be holding a free mental health event, where kids and parents, can be educated on the range of services available if they need help. Local service providers will be set up on the day to provide information and speak to people.

It will be a great family day out with giveaways, face painting, bracelet making, rock painting, a paper plane making and throwing activity, and a BBQ run by the Forbes Lion’s Club.

Purchase a paper plane from from Bernardi’s Marketplace, Discount Daves Parkes or Coles Parkes to raise funds for kids mental health and suicide prevention charities, Kids Helpline and Headspace.

Local Residents Take The Plungeto Fight MND

July 24, 2025 by Roxane Manley

For a decade now, Parkes local Kristy Berry and her extended group of friends and family have been raising funds and awareness for MND through The Big Freeze. For the last nine years the group have taken to Kristy’s family pool, with the family donating for each person brave enough to take the plunge.

Kristy’s grandfather, great grandmother and a cousin all passed away from MND.

Kristy said “I have very vivid memories of what this beast actually puts sufferers through.”

“I mainly wanted to help not only raise money but awareness of MND. Prior to Neale Denier and the AFL starting the Big Freeze 11 years ago, there wasn’t much awareness around MND”.This year Kristy wanted to up the ante, so she spoke to Terri and Tony from The Coachman Hotel and both were on board to get involved, and make a night of it.

“Then we approached Bella Thomson and Sammy Dwyer from the Parkes Spacemen to see if they would take to the ice water, and neither hesitated. We auctioned off a 2025 signed Spacemen Jersey and a framed Saint George photo collage.

The Parkes Spacemen Old Boys held their meat raffles and donated the takings on the night,” said Kristy.

There evening was well supported by the Parkes Spacemen, family, friends and the community. Bella, Sam, John and Tony all took to the iced pool and freezing water was poured over them. It was topped off with the band Hope Held Hostage. An impressive $2,750 was raised and plans are already in place for a bigger event in 2026.

If you want to help you can still donate to the cause by following the link https://support.fightmnd.org.au/s/5655/6228.

John, Tony and Krisy on Friday 11 July at The Coachman Hotel. Tony and John both put their hands up and braved the ice cold.

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