Farmer Roy's Random Thoughts - I never said it was easy.

[Farmer Roy]

Ok, seeing as how my name is at the top of this thread, I thought I might do a sort of " farm blog " type thing. I'll give you a bit of a rundown on my location, geography, climate etc, a few photos of what's happening & a bit of a diary of operations - along with random sh!t that pops into my head & various challenges or conflicts or failures along the way

 

[Farmer Roy]

In the bottom picture, is all that land owned privately, or is it national land?

Bottom pic is travelling through the Simpson Desert, from west to east. Still in South Australia there, it is a conservation reserve ( owned by SA ) which requires a permit / desert pass to access. To be fair, it is only $100 per vehicle, valid for a year & includes very good maps & information booklet. SA do national parks better than anyone else I reckon. Once in Queensland on the eastern side I think it's classed as National Park, definitely State land, although doesn't need a permit. The bulk of the Simpson is in SA & the NT, the main tracks across are in SA.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Is the MP swimming & drinking as well Pete?

I have my doubts..
Poor old National party is copping flak from Young Labour on environmental issues, social welfare issues etc etc.
(Labour are traditionally the "Handout Party")
so I can see why he'll be along to make his presence felt.

Unfortunately, although Jacinda is an excellent speaker, I don't know if she knows how little she actually knows?
Seems to pluck suitable stats out of the air and create a meal- typical politician- but apparently all our rivers are degraded etc.
Time to stand up for our industry before it's too late.
Everyone wants to blame the farmer- going by social media at least, so time to fight fire with fire

 

[Farmer Roy]

The Desert is just amazing, I love it out there. That pic was taken in August last year, so late winter. The nights were in the low single figures, daytime temps around 30 C. During summer temps are over 50 C & the Simpson itself is closed

Sunrises are just brilliant, & it's amazing looking at all the tracks in the sand from nocturnal animals. There is an amazing amount of life if you know where to look.
On the bikes, you could feel the sand change characteristics during the day. Early morning when it was cool & a bit of dew around, the sand was firm, but as the day heated up it got softer & more powdery, until late afternoon as the temp cooled it firmed up again
The night sky out there is something to behold also
There were 2 of us, me a 50 yr old farmer, & my mate a 40 yr old boiler maker / fitter ( who is a dirty filthy planet raping ba stard who works in the oil & gas industry & hates himself for it ) , but we were constantly stopping to take photos of flowers & plants & insects & birds & lizards & footprints & tracks . . .
One day we were following camel tracks along the road ( you have to stay on track, can't just drive anywhere & damage dunes etc ) & it was a real buzz when we caught up to a bull, a few cows & some calves that afternoon. There was a big dingo ( by the size of his feet ) we were hoping to see but never did, although we could hear some at night
We almost didn't want to leave the desert, just loved it out there.
But, we had commitments elsewhere & the beer at Birdsville was cold & plentiful

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Ok, seeing as how my name is at the top of this thread, I thought I might do a sort of " farm blog " type thing. I'll give you a bit of a rundown on my location, geography, climate etc, a few photos of what's happening & a bit of a diary of operations - along with random sh!t that pops into my head & various challenges or conflicts or failures along the way

That's the ticket mate

Be a wee while before I start a thread

...nothing to see here....

 

[Farmer Roy]

just thought I might share a few links here that ive posted elsewhere

 

[Farmer Roy]

this week is Ag Quip at Gunnedah - apparently the largest agricultural field days in the southern hemisphere.
https://fairfaxruralevents.com.au/agquip/home/

I might post up a few pics from today

 

[CornishTone]

The Desert is just amazing, I love it out there. That pic was taken in August last year, so late winter. The nights were in the low single figures, daytime temps around 30 C. During summer temps are over 50 C & the Simpson itself is closed

Sunrises are just brilliant, & it's amazing looking at all the tracks in the sand from nocturnal animals. There is an amazing amount of life if you know where to look.
On the bikes, you could feel the sand change characteristics during the day. Early morning when it was cool & a bit of dew around, the sand was firm, but as the day heated up it got softer & more powdery, until late afternoon as the temp cooled it firmed up again
The night sky out there is something to behold also
There were 2 of us, me a 50 yr old farmer, & my mate a 40 yr old boiler maker / fitter ( who is a dirty filthy planet raping ba stard who works in the oil & gas industry & hates himself for it ) , but we were constantly stopping to take photos of flowers & plants & insects & birds & lizards & footprints & tracks . . .
One day we were following camel tracks along the road ( you have to stay on track, can't just drive anywhere & damage dunes etc ) & it was a real buzz when we caught up to a bull, a few cows & some calves that afternoon. There was a big dingo ( by the size of his feet ) we were hoping to see but never did, although we could hear some at night
We almost didn't want to leave the desert, just loved it out there.
But, we had commitments elsewhere & the beer at Birdsville was cold & plentiful

Sounds awesome! The Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks are on my bucket list, as is the Gibb River Rd through the Kimberly. Went up through the Flinders last year, just spectacular! Almost doesn't seem real at times, like a movie set. Just have to wait for the little one to be old enough to come too!

 

[Farmer Roy]

Last pic is on way in to car park - I planted those chickpeas. Good thing they look alright with 200000 people driving past in the next 3 days

 

[FonterraFarmer]

this week is Ag Quip at Gunnedah - apparently the largest agricultural field days in the southern hemisphere.
https://fairfaxruralevents.com.au/agquip/home/

I might post up a few pics from today

You Aussies at it again....that would be the second largest ag field day in the Southern hemisphere!!!NZ Agricultural Fieldays 2017 , 4 days ,133,588 people

 

[Farmer Roy]

Extension for ILS axles to run on 3 m centres - for CTF

 

[Farmer Roy]

 

[Farmer Roy]

All the talk on here lately about new pickups etc etc - to me they are all softcock show ponies, NONE of the new Utes interest me at all, even new Landcruisers have gone soft.
However, I finally saw a worthwhile successor- bare metal & hard plastic interior, no soft cock pretentious just a heavy duty work ute. 2 tonne payload. Serious 4wd. I finally thought I might update old Tojo.

Until I saw the price. $130000 . . .
Faaaaaaark off. That's 2 x Landcruisers

Meanwhile, I've discovered new shiny machinery just doesn't interest me that much anymore. It's just a tool to do the job. Not really entertainment.

So, I've found the beer tent, having a few coldies then heading home. Good thing I live here. If I didn't I don't think I'd bother making the effort to come

 

[Farmer Roy]

 

[unlacedgecko]

View attachment 568502

Life is tough!

 

[Farmer Roy]

Life is tough!

It's hard, but someone has to do it . . .

 

[Farmer Roy]

Life is tough!

Don't worry, going for a 10km run tomorrow at 6.00am then yoga at 9.00.
I do like my "me time" with exercise, don't think I'd cope without it . . .

 

[Kiwi Pete]

All the talk on here lately about new pickups etc etc - to me they are all softcock show ponies, NONE of the new Utes interest me at all, even new Landcruisers have gone soft.
However, I finally saw a worthwhile successor- bare metal & hard plastic interior, no soft cock pretentious just a heavy duty work ute. 2 tonne payload. Serious 4wd. I finally thought I might update old Tojo.
View attachment 568496
Until I saw the price. $130000 . . .
Faaaaaaark off. That's 2 x Landcruisers

Meanwhile, I've discovered new shiny machinery just doesn't interest me that much anymore. It's just a tool to do the job. Not really entertainment.
View attachment 568498
So, I've found the beer tent, having a few coldies then heading home. Good thing I live here. If I didn't I don't think I'd bother making the effort to come

130 grand and it's got the bonnet up already

I do like the look of that NDF rig

And the beer.

 

[Farmer Roy]

Beer was good

 

[FonterraFarmer]

All the talk on here lately about new pickups etc etc - to me they are all softcock show ponies, NONE of the new Utes interest me at all, even new Landcruisers have gone soft.
However, I finally saw a worthwhile successor- bare metal & hard plastic interior, no soft cock pretentious just a heavy duty work ute. 2 tonne payload. Serious 4wd. I finally thought I might update old Tojo.
View attachment 568496
Until I saw the price. $130000 . . .
Faaaaaaark off. That's 2 x Landcruisers

Meanwhile, I've discovered new shiny machinery just doesn't interest me that much anymore. It's just a tool to do the job. Not really entertainment.
View attachment 568498
So, I've found the beer tent, having a few coldies then heading home. Good thing I live here. If I didn't I don't think I'd bother making the effort to come

They had one at Mystery Creek too, and I said that to the MB dealer too!