Special Interests Archives - Page 89 of 121

Jemalong Wool Weekly Market Update

September 12, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

After a month of severe losses, this week’s market showed signs of a recovery, with exporters reporting that sales had been made, which finally gave the market a base.

The first day of selling saw further losses, resulting in the NRI shedding a further 27 cents, however during the last hour of selling (in the West) there was a noticeable change of tone, and fierce competition started to push prices back in a positive direction. The positive sentiment carried into the second selling day, and prices finally started to increase.

The MPGs generally rose by 30-40 cents, pushing the NRI up by 30 cents, closing the week 3 cents in the green at 1408.

The carding market also recorded a positive result for the series, as the limited lots on offer came under strong demand pushing them up by 10-30 cents.

The crossbred market was not forgotten with 26 to 28 microns rising by 5-10 cents.

27,923 bales are currently rostered for sale next week.

Source: AWEX

Warning For Feral Pigs

September 12, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

With many farmers across the Central West hand-feeding livestock, Local Land Services is reminding landholders that feral pigs will also help themselves to stock feed.

Invasive Species Team Leader Nigel Boyce said landholders are seeing an increase in feral pigs around feeding and water points, which can undermine hand-feeding programs and spread disease.

“The current drought conditions are seeing feral pigs seeking out feed and water from places they would normally avoid,“ Mr Boyce said. “They are proving quite resourceful in accessing feeders and other feeding points, and cohabitating with livestock to do so.”

Feral pigs joining livestock at feed and water points also greatly increases the chance of spreading disease. “Feral pigs can carry diseases such as leptospirosis and brucellosis, which can be spread to both livestock and humans with significant health implications,” Mr Boyce said.

While the situation is not ideal, it presents an opportunity to carry out trapping, baiting or a combination of both to effectively reduce the impact caused on agricultural production and the environment.

Good News! Adult Acne Is Treatable – Here’s How

August 22, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

There’s no nice way to say this—adult acne sucks. While most of us expect to be affected by spots at some stage during our teen years, it seems incredibly unfair to still be dealing with pimples into our 20s, 30s and beyond. That said, it’s not uncommon at all, one third of total acne-related visits to dermatologists are made by women over the age of 25.

Because there’s no single answer to the question of what causes pimples, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, either. That’s right, there’s no one best acne treatment for adults. However, there are a
few helpful-for-most adult acne treatments you can try at home.

Stick to a Consistent Routine: Regardless of the cause of your acne, there is one thing that benefits everyone—committing to a steady skincare regime. Simple is generally best, so don’t go crazy splashing out on products galore. The basics include a gentle- but-effective cleanser that doesn’t strip, a hydrating moisturiser and daily broad spectrum sunscreen. Also….Don’t squeeze. Ever.

Exfoliate (But Not Too Much): Keepingyour pores clear on a regular is important but overdoing it with exfoliation can do more harm than good. La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Duo (+) is a moisturiser that contains clarifying and anti-bacterial salicylic acid helping to reduce blemishes and clogged pores. A bestseller in Europe, it is potent but not so powerful that it’ll irritate sensitive skin types.

If your GP recommends prescription medication to manage your acne, keep your skin hydrated with a soothing moisturiser like La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar H – designed to be used alongside anti-acne medications.

La Roche Posay is now available exclusively at Flannery’s Pharmacy. Call in for professional advice and a free spotscan instore.

Felix Rams Efficient And Profitable

August 22, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Felix Rams has a singular focus on producing efficient and profitable prime lambs by breeding high performance, structurally sound meat sheep rams. The commitment to collecting good accurate performance data is in the DNA and is embedded as the fundamental approach to the way Felix Rams breed sheep.

However you look at it, 25,800 lambs weighed within 12 hours of birth, 20,900 weaning weights, 17,500 scans with weights for postweaning fat and muscle, 4,400 individual worm egg counts is a lot of data, and it all contributes to the accuracy of the asbvs on the rams you buy.

At Felix Rams, sheep are selected for quick early growth, and maturity, grown in the paddock, not maximum adult ram size. Almost all of the selection is done at 6.5 to 7 months of age, reflecting the age most lambs are sold. Felix Rams will efficiently produce a 22-28kg lamb. Early maturity also means the suckers have the best chance of hitting the target year in year out, while the attention to the “right” amount of fat means that you will almost always have finish on your lambs at market weights.

As usual this year’s sale rams are paddock grown and finished, not pumped up or grown out on a grain feeder.

Felix Rams will offer 140 Poll Dorset and 50 White Suffolk rams at their 21st annual on-property sale at Greenethorpe on September 3rd at 1pm.

Catalogues are available at www.felixrams. com.au from August 25th, or call Rodney 0417 499 204, Isaac 0437 493 407 or the selling agents, Allan Gray and Co Cowra 6342 2377.

How’s Your Oral Health Tracking?

August 8, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

This week is Dental Health Week, the Australian Dental Association’s major annual oral health promotion event. Its aim is to educate Australians about the importance of maintaining good oral health by promoting these key messages:

• Brush twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
• Clean in between teeth at least once a day with floss or an interdental brush.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet and limit sugar intake.
• Regularly visit the dentist for check-ups and preventive treatment.

This year, these important messages will be reinforced via the tagline ‘How’s Your Oral Health Tracking?’, which draws off the Australian Dental Association’s Oral Health Tracker report cards, a world-first initiative that documents and tracks Australia’s oral health status.

Tempting though it is to think everyone is practicing good oral health, the reality is that the oral health of many Australians is not where it should be.

• 65% of Australians haven’t seen a dentist in the last two years.
• 50% of Australians brush their teeth only once-a-day.
• Nearly 40% never floss or clean between their teeth.
• 73% of young people (14-18 years) are consuming too much sugar.

All of which means that getting the message out there about good oral health is more important than ever. Since the best oral care education occurs face to face, from dental professional to patient, the ADA encourages you to use the Dental Health Week website, the associated resources, and even the ADA’s Oral Health Tracker to help start conversations about keeping track of mouth health and making oral health a high priority.

(Source: www.ada.org.au)

Women In Central West Unaware Of Breast Cancer Risk

August 8, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

This year more than 245 women in the Western and Far Western Local Health Districts will be diagnosed with breast cancer,

while about 42 women will die from breast cancer.

WNSWLHD Breastscreen Manager, Meg O’Brien, said far too many women might be unaware of their risk of breast cancer, despite the fact that 9 in 10 women diagnosed don’t have a family history.

“The risk is real for every woman aged 50 to 74. One in eight women in NSW will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and less than 10 per cent of them will have a family history,” Meg said.

“That’s why all women in this age group should screen for breast cancer, regardless of whether they have a family history.”

“By detecting breast cancer early, breast screening not only saves lives but also reduces the likelihood of a woman needing invasive treatment, such as a mastectomy or chemotherapy.”

According to Meg more than 16,000 women in the Western and Far Western Local Health Districts get a free, state-of-the-art mammogram through BreastScreen NSW each year.

“The more having a mammogram with BreastScreen NSW becomes part of your normal two-yearly health routine, the easier it is to keep going. The key is to get the momentum started,” Meg said.

“When it comes to reducing breast cancer risk, it is also vital to focus on lifestyle factors within a woman’s control.”

“While a family history can’t be changed, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, reducing alcohol intake and quitting smoking are all things that can significantly reduce a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer,” she said.

In addition to 46 BreastScreen sites, BreastScreen NSW has 16 mobile vans that provide services to about 180 locations across NSW, including in rural and remote areas.

The mobile BreastScreen van is currently in Forbes until 21st August. Make use of this free services and make an appointment today.

To book a mammogram with BreastScreen NSW, phone 13 20 50, or book online by visiting breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

Q Fever Risk

August 8, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is warning people to get vaccinated and take other steps to guard against Q fever, as drought and high winds may increase the risk of the disease spreading. WNSWLHD Health Protection Manager, Priscilla Stanley, said so far this year there have been 47 confirmed cases of Q fever in the WNSWLHD area. In 2018, there were 41 confirmed cases of the disease in the area.
“Q fever is a serious bacterial infection caused by inhaling dust particles contaminated by infected animal secretions that does not just affect farmers or people who deal with livestock,” Priscilla said.

Nine-year-old Seth Whiteman, from a property near Yeoval contracted Q fever in May this year. Seth’s Mum, Brooke Ryan, said, “Seth had been helping on the farm, which included being exposed to animal fluids. Some of the other kids were sick too, but Seth wasn’t getting better. He had high temperatures, but was shivering and freezing cold to touch”.

“A single dose vaccine is recommended for people who work in high risk occupations and anyone over 15 years who has the potential to be exposed to Q fever,” added Priscilla.

The following steps can protect against Q fever:

• washing hands and arms thoroughly in soapy water after any contact with animals

• wearing a properly fitting mask when handling or disposing of animal products

• wearing protective clothing and thick gloves when working with high risk animals

• removing and washing dirty clothing, coveralls, boots and equipment in outdoor wash areas to prevent exposing other household residents

• washing animal urine, faeces, blood and other body fluids from equipment and surfaces.

Health Bones

July 25, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Did you know that over 2 million Australians are affected by osteoporosis. Flannery’s Pharmacy is hosting a Health Bones clinic to assess risk factors and measure bone density using a Qualitative Heel Ultrasound.

Sarah Hazell, Pharmacist at Flannery’s Pharmacy advises that some people are more at risk of osteoporosis. “There are a number of risk factors including smoking, drinking more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day, lack of exercise, menopause and having a diet lacking in calcium” said Sarah.

“The clinic will provide an assessment of personal risk factors affecting bone health and measurement of bone density” said Sarah. Customers will receive a personalised consultation summary and information brochure. Please note that the bone density test requires a bare heel. Pantyhose or stockings should not be worn.

The Healthy Bones clinic is being held on Tuesday 13 August at Flannery’s Pharmacy.

Cost is $25. Bookings are essential so please call Flannery’s Pharmacy on 68521111 or call in to arrange an appointment.

RDA Central West Welcomes New CEO

July 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Regional Development Australia in Central West New South Wales has welcomed a new voice with the appointment of Sam Harma as its new CEO. Mr Harma has been working at a senior level of executive government in both Canberra and Sydney for the last decade, working for Cabinet Ministers in both State and Federal Government. Mr Harma brings strong policy experience in regional development, job creation and economic development.

RDA Central West Chair, Ms Christine Weston welcomed the recent appointment and said this was an exciting change for the local RDA team. “RDA Central West is advocating for the nearly 200,000 people who call the 11 local government areas of the Central West home, and Sam will be a fierce advocate on their behalf,” said Ms Weston.

“The Central West is a showcase of successful regional development, but there is always more to do. I can’t wait to build partnerships,
fight for projects and drive job opportunities across the region,” said Mr Harma.

“The Central West is a diverse region with farming, mining, tourism and the health sector all major employers. From Orange to Oberon and Cowra to Condobolin the future is bright, and our role at RDA is to drive greater opportunities,” said Mr Harma.

Regional Development Australia Central West is a regional certifying body for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187) and working in partnership with the NSW Department of Industry to deliver the NSW Skilled Regional nominated visa (subclass 489) in the Central West region.

The RDA Central West has also been a driving force behind the STEM Industry School Partnerships Program (SISP) which has been made available to 20 schools across the region. RDA Central West has also launched a ‘Farm to Organisation’ project a first of its kind in Australia.

Increase Feed Quantity In Cold And Wet Conditions

July 11, 2019 by Maggi Barnard

Although it was nice to see a bit of rain around this week, wet conditions coupled with cold conditions can cause issues for stock.

In cold and wet conditions, stock will use energy to keep warm. In drought conditions, where stock may have experienced under nutrition, they do not have the fat reserves to handle the increased energy requirements.

Pregnant stock are particularly at risk. Pregnancy Toxaemia is caused by low levels of glucose in the blood which adversely affects brain and nervous system function. It most commonly occurs in ewes and cows during the last month of pregnancy, when there is a high demand for glucose (energy) from the rapidly growing foetuses.

In cold conditions it is advisable to increase feed by 20%. For example, a twin bearing ewe should be receiving 1.6kg of cereal grain per day (in combination with a roughage source) to meet its nutritional requirements in late pregnancy. It is difficult to get them to physically eat more grain while heavily pregnant, especially without inducing grain poisoning. The simplest and most effective way to increase their energy intake is to put more good quality hay out into the paddocks during the wet and cold weather.

Hay is also good to feed to cattle in cold weather as the rumination of fibrous, bulky feed produces heat as a by-product that helps to keep the animal warm. However, it is worth remembering that some hay is very poor quality, meaning it is high in fibre but low in energy and protein which are the most important factors when supplementary feeding stock.

By Dr Jillian Kelly, District Veterinarian, Central West Local Land Services

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