WHAT a difference a week makes. Before the magnificent rain event of last week producers in the Coonamble district were generally giving off the vibes they were still in a drought mindset.
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Most didn't want to get their hopes up too high or stick their neck out too far with farming ventures or restocking pursuits.
This given the western and southern areas of our district have received reasonable falls since February.
The northern and eastern parts of the region were still in desperate need of significant rain for both surface stock water and feed replenishment.
Thankfully those areas did receive between 40 and 70 millimetres which is the most significant fall for them for more than eighteen months.
This restores hope and refocuses those producers' minds on the future.
None would be so bold as to think the drought is over but positivity is the strainer post to build the productive fence from instead of just patching up the old fence.
Coonamble has not had a prime cattle sale for six weeks and probably not likely to for at least another three.
Most cattle were sold before February as people mitigated against the drought.
We do have a unique district in that the country responds to rain at any time of the year and with oat crops in the ground and winter herbage emerging I suspect it won't be long before we are back to our regular sales and, hopefully, selling into much better markets.
Many sheep producers here have sold their lambs at a much earlier age than usual.
This will mean a shortage of supply from this area through the winter and into the spring.
The same could be said for many cattlemen of their calf crop.
It will be interesting if this is indicative of many other areas and in turn how this affects spring markets.
Of particular interest will be the relevance of the forward contract prices offered for June/July kills.
I suspect many sheep producers would be accepting of current price levels if they could be maintained in favour of more elevated markets which would put more pressure not only on the processing sector but back on restockers as well.
The cattle market is yet to reach this point.
Of just as much interest as the rain to our district is the state of play with our local abattoir.
I was lucky enough to be given a sneak preview this week and it is obvious the owners have a commitment to get the plant up and running as soon as possible.
The kill floors and cool rooms have been refurbished and cosmetic projects are underway just to improve efficiencies.
In short, there looks to be no going back with the huge investment by the owners moving towards a Halal kill commencing in the next few months incorporating a small goods production facility.
Initially cattle and sheep will be slaughtered and when operations streamline they hope to introduce goats.
This will be a tremendous boost for the town and our selling centre, not to mention the service kill to the wider region.
Peter O'Connor is the co-director of A.J.F. Brien and Sons, Coonamble.
