A NEW DIRECTION FOR THE OLD RAM

[Bruce]

Hopefully these fires will pass you by. Torrential rain and floods in Indonesia and not a drop in fire ravaged Australia. Sure would be nice if we could even that out.

 

[The Old Ram-Australia]

G'day folks, after a few nervous nights and days i think we have managed to "dodge a bullet" from the two closest fire fronts for the time being.the next week looks as though things will have calmed down (thank heavens,) before it all starts again.....

The prospect for some rain is looking a little better i suspect,the late arrival of the northern Monsoon could deliver us some much needed moisture in the near future ( say over the next 3 weeks).I haven't forgotten those pic's just have not had the chance to download them,but we will get there don't worry.......T.O.R.and Jenny.

 

[Beekissed]

That's wonderful news!!!! So happy for you and yours, TOR.

 

[Baymule]

I am relieved that you and Jenny are ok. The news and videos posted online are awful. A bunch of American firefighters landed in Sidney and everyone in the airport clapped applause for them, just grateful. Praying for rain for y'all.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Great newsTOR,....we have been watching the horrific fires on the news and are so happy you and Jenny are safe.

 

[Bruce]

I'm glad you have been spared from the close fires so far, I sure hope that continues.

I was thinking about you this morning while listening to the BBC. They were talking about how the smoke from the fires can start thunderstorms which actually make the fires WORSE because the rain that falls evaporates in the heat but cools the air higher up which increases the winds. And then there are the lightning strikes that can start yet more fires

Take care!!!

 

[Hens and Roos]

So glad to hear

 

[The Old Ram-Australia]

G'day folks,this update is mostly "good news" with regard to the fires approaching the "home farm".This morning i was advised by the local R.F.S. that the fires are now under control.

For those of you with F.B.i have just posted on recent events which i will repeat on BYH along with a lot of pics.Hope you all enjoy.

G'day guys,the first post shows "hay feeding" ,our daughter (Nicole) came out for a few days to give us a hand.In the last pic it shows Nic has lost "none" of her mustering skills as she guides a ewe with twin lambs out of a gully and back to the rest of the flock.

 

[The Old Ram-Australia]

POST 2.The fire at Tomboyne .neighbors tell us the fire went through our 200 acs twice and in parts 3 times.We still have not covered the whole of the boundary yet.We are applying for "clean-up" assistance from the State gov.I think the cottage will have to be demolished as well due to the structural damage.

 

[The Old Ram-Australia]

POST 3.This post is a record of the pastures as they stand and it will serve as baseline for the recovery of the farm.In 1 or 2 of the pic's you will note a slight "green tinge",this is a result of 3 mm of rain we got about a week ago.Last night we received 8.5 mm and expect more today.I estimate it will take about 3 weeks for the grasses to respond to a degree where they can be grazed.In my experience the first "flush" is mainly water anyway and making sure the flock have adequate supplies of our mineral mix will ensure the the flock is in "peak health" to cycle and next month to lamb is essential in my view...,,In the last pic, it shows that none of the 8.5 mm last night "ran off" and there is no topsoil or nutrient load displacement,this is reflected over the whole of the farm in the areas of our steepest slopes.

Well folks, you are all up the date with us ,the flock and the farm.We are now waiting for the next expected rain due today.In coming weeks i will update the state of the pastures as recovery takes place.....T.O.R.