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2020 arrived and April brought rain, it appeared as though the drought was finally breaking, everyone was excited. The wool market was still strong, the lamb market was looking at $10/kg, and the mutton market was at an all time high.

Then Covid-19 arrived and things changed overnight. Amazingly, the lamb and mutton markets have held their place, however wool has taken a slight downturn.
I remain optimistic that it will recover after Covid-19, and feel very lucky to be in the industry I am in.

Everyone was waiting for 2019 to end, with drought lingering on and bush fires burning (what a show). We purchased 1700 acres of flood irrigation at Condobolin in on the Lachlan River to grow our own fodder for stock. After shearing in March 2020 we sent 5,000 ewes away on agistment to Mungindi in Northern NSW.

They were brought home on 7th July with Lambs at foot since marked with a 95% marking good result in trying conditions (predators). I’d like to thank sons Brad and Chris who mustered 5,000 ewes and lambs on 20,000 acres and loaded 10 B double trucks in 4 days (THOMPSON’S TRANSPORT).

Due to Covid-19, nearly all shows have been cancelled this year.

Canberra CSSM went ahead before Covid hit, and we were extremely successful winning Grand Champion August Shorn Ewe and Grand Champion Medium Ram.

This ewe has since been flushed with four eggs collected and naturally joined with Gladiator.

With the purchase of Gladiator we took the opportunity to do a big ET program this year.

We sent 11 of our top stud ewes to LBS Jerilderie. A total of 128 eggs were collected and transplanted into surrogate ewes with pleasing results.

Thanks to Michelle Humphries and Michael Gregory of LBS.