Everyone I know, including me, is concerned about where the economy is going. The news reports are interesting – but at the end of the day no one has the crystal ball to foresee what the future holds.

As individuals we have no control over it, so why should we waste our time being consumed with worry?

I am sure there are some reporters out there that get joy out of scaring the living daylight out of us by reporting on the ‘doom and gloom’ that’s ahead and take pleasure in trying to make us feel everything is caving in around us.

Sure - it’s absolutely true our economy is constricting but don’t be fooled, other areas and industries are expanding! We are simply seeing a period of major shifts. Some of my greatest career mentors have said their businesses have done just as well in a restricted economy!

My Dad told me a story once about ‘back when he was a boy’ his father grew a crop of spuds during a drought and made more money then than he had in a good year - with less yield – enough to buy a brand new truck with the surplus income – something he wasn’t able to do when he had the extra spuds!

Winston Churchill once wrote ‘a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’

What I am saying is now is the time to take and have an honest look at your business and make some decisions that are going to move you and your business forward instead of being paralysed with fear.

Ask youself – what positive steps are you are taking to manage your enterprise? Or are you waiting for Kevin to give you a bail out package? The New Year is looming, what a great chance to find new opportunities in your difficulties!

There are businesses out there that can help you assess your business options, including Rural Connections. If you need contacts for people who specialise in your particular enterprise – call me I’m more than happy to point you in the right direction.

I’ve left you with my thoughts – I’d welcome your comments.

As 2009 draws to a close I would like to thank you sincerely for your support this year. Next year is shaping up to be busier than ever with many major courses being diarised already.

From my family to yours I wish you a safe and happy New Year! Take care.

The program is being funded by Horticulture Australia and supported by AUSVEG and is being facilitated by Rural Training Initiatives.

The program requires successful applicants to come together as a group and attend nine days of learning. The nine days of the program are spread across 3 x 3 day residential.

The cost to the participant is $500 and out-of-pocket expenses. All of industry is invited to apply for the program from growers through to extension staff.

For more information, contact the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association on what 03 6332 1800 or email Fiona Gluszyk at TFGA.

Rural Women’s Scholarships Close
15 December
Visit www.twia.org.au for more details

Bridgewater Sale
15 December
Bridgewater Saleyards, Bridgewater
Contact your local livestock agent

Killafaddy Cattle & Sheep Sale
16 December
Killafaddy Saleyards, via Launceston
Contact your local livestock agent

Scottsdale Sale
18 December
Scottsdale Saleyards, Scottsdale
Contact your local livestock agent

Quoiba Store Cattle Sale
19 December
Quoiba Saleyards, via Devonport
Contact your local livestock agent

Bridgewater Sale
22 December
Bridgewater Saleyards, Bridgewater
Contact your local livestock agent

Quoiba Sale
22 December
Quoiba Saleyards, via Devonport
Contact your local livestock agent

Smithton Sale
22 December
Smithton Saleyards, via Stanley
Contact your local livestock agent

Killafaddy Cattle & Sheep Sale
30 December
Killafaddy Saleyards, via Launceston
Contact your local livestock agent

Quoiba Sale
29 December
Quoiba Saleyards, via Devonport
Contact your local livestock agent

This one day workshop is intended for individuals or businesses that have an idea for a new product, process or service and are interested in applying an assessment tool to determine its commercial viability.

IDEAS has been developed and is delivered by Associate Professor Jack English from the Australian Innovation Research Centre. The IDEAS workshop is interactive but does not include group work and your idea can remain strictly confidential.

Is your innovation ready to be commercialised?  Find out the answer, by attending the next IDEAS Workshop:

When:     Friday 13 February 2009, 9.00am - 5.00pm
Where:    Peppers Seaport Hotel, 28 Seaport Boulevard, Launceston TAS
Cost:      $55 (GST inclusive) which includes an IDEAS handbook, lunch & refreshments

Registrations Close: Friday 6 February 2009

For further information and to download a registration form visit Development Tas’s Website.

Here’s a Christmas gift with a difference!

For our viewing pleasure, the Woodsdale-Levendale Museum committee present to us with the “Bare Bellies, Butts & All” calendar!

It costs $15.00 each (plus $5.00 if you want it posted). The funds raised from calendar sales go towards the construction of a Shearing Interprutation Center and Mens Shed at Woodsdale.

$1.00 from every calendar sold goes to the Royal Hobart Hospital Burns and Surgical Specialties Unit.

To place your orders e-mail Sue Atkinson, the Museum Manager.

P.S. I’ll shout the first person a calendar that tells me what is different with this picture…If you think you know, drop me a line.

Meet and Greet a Wiltshire Horn Sheep
15 November
Terra Lorna Farm, 1182 Mole Creek Road, Needles, Tasmania
Contact Terry or Lorraine Corcoran on (03) 6367 6237

Bridgewater Sale
17 November
Bridgewater Saleyards, Bridgewater, Tasmania
Contact your local Roberts Livestock Agent

Penrise – Punchgrove Poll Dorset and White Suffolk Sale
18 November
“Penrise, Campania, Tasmania
Contact your livestock agent

Killara Poll Dorset Ram Sale
18 November
Campania, Tasmania
Contact Julian Iles (03) 6265 2311

Killafaddy Sale
18 November
Killafaddy Saleyards, Tasmania
Contact your Livestock Agent

Leintwardine Merion Ram Sale
19 November
Contact your Roberts Livestock Agent

Maccelslie Park Poll Dorset and Southdown Rams
19 November
Maccelslie Park, Penna, Tasmania
Contact Kevin Naker on (03) 6265 1117

Arkmay Suffolk Ram Sale
19 November
Arkmay, Penna, Tasmania
Contact Will Blackburn on (03) 6260 2677

Productivity Commission Hearing - Government Drought Support
20 November
Mecure Hotel, 3 Earl Street, Launceston, Tasmania
If you wish to participate contact Yvette Goss on (03) 9653 2305

Stockman Stud 14th Annual Ram Sale
21 November
“Lovely Banks” Melton Mowbray, Tasmania
Contact Tim McShane on 0418 544 154

Quoiba Store Sale
21 November
Quoiba Saleyards, Quoiba, Tasmania
Contact your Roberts Livestock Agent

Scottsdale Cattle Handlers 10 year Celebration BBQ
22 November
Scottsdale High School
Contact Deanna Scott (03) 6352 2477

Devonport Agricultural & Pastoral Society Trade Pig Judging
24 November
Quioba Saleyards, Quoiba, Tasmania
Contact Your Roberts Agent

Corriedale Ram Sales (Quamby Plains, Streanshalth and Fairfield)
24 November
Cotnact your Livestock Agent

Bridgewater Store Cattle
24 November
Bridgewater Saleyards, Bridgewater, Tasmania
Contact your local Roberts Agent

Ellesmere Merino Ram Sale
26 November
Contact your local Roberts Livestock Agent

Devonport Agricultural & Pastoral Society Trade Cattle (on the hoof)
26 November
Devonport Showgrounds, Tasmania
Contact your Roberts Agent

Horsemanship Clinic with Steve Brady
25-27 November
Violet Banks Arena, Westbury, Tasmania
Contact Geoff or Joanna Harvey (03) 6393 1228

Blokes United Group BBQ
28 November
Heritage Forest, Mowbray, Tasmania
Contact Peter or Sue (03) 6326 3839 or Gary (03) 6336 5155

Devonport Show & Sale (Pen of 3 lambs)
28 November
Enquiries to Philip Harrison on 0408 269 313

Elders Clearance Fundraiser Auction
29 November
Bracknell Recreation Ground, Bracknell, Tasmania
Contact your local Elders agent

Devonport Agricultural & Pastoral Society (Charolais Feature Breed)
28-29 November
Devonport Show Grounds, Tasmania

Arabs and All Breeds Show
29 November
Westbury Show Grounds, Westbury, Tasmania
Contact Leonie 0407 727 899 or (03) 6390 6119

Clearing Sale A/c Bracknell Football Club & Elders Ltd
29 November
Bracknell Recreational/Football Ground
Contact Patrick Dargan on 0407 830 475

Campdraft Clinic
29-30 November
Powranna, Tasmania
Contact Veronica (03) 6250 3156 or Lynne (03) 6248 9231

Serena Lodge Pre Shearing Auction
30 November
102 Upper Stowport Road, Stowport, Tasmania
Contact Crighton Horton on 0408 834 652

After the Low Stress Stockhandling School held at “Malahide” earlier this year I’m continually asked “when is the next one?”

Click here to find out more about Low Stress Stockhandling

I am organising this event through my business, Rural Connections on a not for profit basis. Why you may ask?!?!? Because I’ve participated in this training the past and believe that everyone should do it – it’s fantastic…it will change your paradigms!

(and so we all can think about something else other than drought)

Registrations close at 5pm on the 31st of November.

Please feel free to forward this to your family and friends.

The owner/manager of Delmore Dohnes, Ross Jacobson, says that their doing ability has been very impressive through some very tough seasons.

He is keen to increase his flock numbers and given the Dohnes performance he is enthusiastic to also share his knowledge.

Ross is holding an Information Day and Ram Sale to be held on his Forcett property on the 29th of this month. RSVP’s are appreciated for catering purposes.

Download the flyer which includes directions.

Hurry and get your entry in for this exciting event before 28th November 2008. The Landfall Angus Youth National Roundup is open to young people aged between 8 and 25 years of age, and will provide a wealth of information to cattle enthusiasts.

The program contains interactive sessions on reproduction, halter making, diseases and a meat tasting panel. Other sessions include DNA technologies, herd health and animal marketing. Also a Mock Bull  Auction and competitions for Junior Judging and Parading will be held.

Other activities including Barnyard Olympics and Calf Capers promise lots of fun. On Saturday 17th January a Special Dinner Dance at Thoroughbred Park Racecourse will provide a great night of entertainment.

For more information visit their website: www.angusyouth.org or contact:
Angus Youth Coordinator: Jim Klarner, 02 6733 4608
2009 Roundup Coordinator: Josee Sergi, 0439 413 321.

Clearing Sale A/c Skelfield PTY LTD & TN Pickett
9 October
147 Picketts Road, Gawler
Contact Neville Peebles 0408 144 736

Campdraft
11 October
Powranna
Contact Lynne (03) 6248 9231 or Barry (03) 6265 1398

Cutting Show
11-12 October
Batten Park, Ulverstone
Contact Kellie (03) 6391 8347
 
Edith Creek Primary School Farm Fair
12 October
Edith Creek Primary School, Edith Creek?
Contact Edith Creek Primary School (03) 6456 4192

Weed Conference
16-17 October
Tramsheds, Inveresk, Launceston
Contact Elizabeth Schrammeyer (03) 6234 2939
  
Bridgewater Store Cattle Sale
16 October
Bridgewater saleyards, Bridgewater
Contact your local Roberts livestock agent

Special Spring Store Cattle Sale
16 October
Bothwell Saleyards, Bothwell
Contact your local Roberts livestock agent