It is drying off here and grass for our sheep and cattle is becoming thin on the ground. This means it is time to sell some stock while they are still healthy and in saleable condition.
For the last week we have been mustering, drafting, sorting and making decisions on each animal. My husband has listened to advice from stock agents and looked at the markets before the trucks are finally loaded and our stock head out the front gate, literally.
I have found myself somewhere between the paddock, the yards and my kitchen. There has been a steady flow of station workers, truck drivers, stock agents and of course children to feed.
While the days are long and hot the work is satisfying. Selling our animals is the culmination of years of work as these sheep and cattle have been born and raised on our property. The end goal is to always sell them at the optimal time taking into account market prices and the season.
Our children are getting to an age where they are valuable members of the team, as long as there is a steady supply of cold water and sweet biscuits to keep up the energy and enthusiasm levels!
As I write this, we have had a little bit of rain; such is the cycle of life on the land.
I wonder, are you eating any Australian beef or lamb this weekend?
Happy Sunday, friends x
Lilbitbrit
It's so funny that you should ask that question, because my husbands buys Australian lamb and boneless rib eye in our local supermarket here. And he just said this week how when it comes all the way from Australia can they sell boneless rib eye for $4.99 per pound? When USA rib eye is double that price. We live in Pa. I hope that's not bad for you guys. We love lamb, I was brought up in UK, but to most Americans I think lamb is an acquired taste, though is becoming more and more popular. Your bakes look delicious. Wish you the best.
Christy
Jane S
Thank you Christy, this is so interesting. I really value your comment. It is strange to think about lamb being an acquired taste when it is something we eat as part of our staple/daily diet. I hope you continue to buy and enjoy Australian meat. Best wishes to you.
Chookyblue......
needing to off load some here too……..some cattle will go first………….
Loved the lamb add this year….definitely be getting some lamb into me on Aust Day…………
Jane S
Enjoy that lamb, thank you Chooky, take care x
Joolz
We have friends visiting this weekend and will celebrate Australia Day on Monday, having a beach barbecue. We plan on having crayfish cocktails then lamb chops on the barby followed by homemade Lamingtons. Can not wait! Happy Australia Day to you and thank you for rearing that delicious lamb for us!
Jane S
Oh Joolz, pass the lamingtons please! x
CountryMum
Happy Australia Day… well almost. It will be beef on the barbie for us followed by… hmmmm maybe be pavlova with berries, but I do like the sound of Joolz's homemade lamingtons.
Great photos as always Jane. I have been following your blog for quite sometime now and always enjoy your photos.
Jane S
Thank you so much, enjoy that barbie!
Kate @ Kate Writes
There are some lamb chops grown expertly by my brothers detined for the bbq tonight Jane. I hope you are enjoying the cooler mornings xx
Jane S
Hooray for chops I say! x
Fiona
Happy Australia Day indeed Jane!
Can totally relate to your children becoming an integral part of the workforce … unfortunately three quarters of ours leave on Australia Day back to school, timing I'm a little peeved about. Wishing you a wonderful 2016 and hoping the rain is a'coming for all of us.
Jane S
Thank you Fiona, what a shame the holidays have to end x
Say Little Hen
I absolutely love working stock in the yards, it is very satisfying isn't it? I hope you get a good amount of rain soon. It looks like you keep your workers very well fed – everything looks delicious!
I hope you got good prices for your stock. We always bought Australian meat before we starting growing our own.
Hope you're having a good weekend,
Sarah x
Jane S
Thank you Sarah…your animals always look so happy and well cared for x
acoastalplot
These photos are so atmospheric, Jane. I love the dog on top of the sheep and your children getting stuck in to helping out. Gosh, you must all work so hard. I've not noticed Australian meat here, just plenty of NZ lamb. My husband has just informed me that Australia Day is on his birthday – he will be 50 on Tuesday and so we will be celebrating too 🙂 Have a great week. Sam x
Jane S
Thank you Sam. That dog (Frank) is often very happy with himself! Yes, it is Australia Day tomorrow. Happy birthday to your husband. It is very interesting that you can buy NZ lamb but you dont see Australian lamb. I had no idea, in fact this blog has made me think about our meat in the bigger picture. I hope you are having a good week x
Anne
Glad you have a bit of rain. I love it when you show us what happens out in the yard – everything is on a much larger scale than over here.
It's Burns Night today, so haggis with neeps and tatties for our supper!
Jane S
Funny you should mention Burns Night Anne…almost 20 years ago I attended a boarding school in Adelaide with Scottish history (Scotch College funnily enough) bag pipes, highland dancing and haggis were all part of school life, particularly on formal occasions. Enjoy that haggis. Do you have an Ode to the Haggis? That was something that happened at school with great ceremony.
almostitalian
I love the light in your photos and that happy Kelpie standing in the truck. Great to see the kids outside and actively involved. You've inspired me to make some biscuits.
Marijke
We’re having lamb chops tonight. We’re in Grafton NSW, a small chance they will be yours. But we’ll eat them with your hard work in mind. I love your blog, the photo’s (that dusty sunrise was awesome!) and the way the family works together on getting the jobs done in keeping Australia fed. Instead of just sticky beaking, I thought to give you a shout out. Happy Australia Day.
Jane S
Thank you for calling Marijke, lovely to hear from you.
Jodie
A lovely glimpse into to family working life Jane, and that baking looks delicious too.. xx
Jane S
Thank you Jodie x
cityhippyfarmgirl
I was talking about farming practising with a large scale farmer a few days ago, and how quite often it really is such a gamble, when to sell, the weather etc. While they've had livestock in the past, it's primarily cotton and corn though at this stage. Interesting conversation for a city slicker.
Hope there might be a few more dribbles of rain for you to settle the dust.
Jane S
Thank you Brydie, it can be a gamble at times!