New England Rural Report
Friday, January 9, 2009
Latest Report
Magic millions
There were concerns the global financial crisis would impact on thoroughbred sales at the Magic Millions in Queensland this week.
But early on at least it seems people are still more than happy to splash out on a horse with several hitting the million dollar mark.
Tony Williams is NSW manager for Magic Millions, he says Hunter horses are performing well.
Metal prices go up, metal prices go down
Babs McHugh
The roller coaster ride of mineral commodity prices continues.
After a new year surge they've come crashing down and are likely to stay there until late this year.
They were pretty excited in London yesterday.
High prices for base metals like copper and lead drove a 6 day rally on the UK Sharemarket
And financiers like Kevin Tomlinson from Thomas Weizel Partners thought the positive news would push prices even higher and free up equities funding.
What a difference a day makes.
Overnight with copper, zinc, lead and nickel all dropped between one and seven per cent.
Commonwealth Bank strategist David Moore says that's more in keeping with the current financial situation.
He says the price spike was more to do with positive fiscal policy from different countries.
However he says prices are likely to stay down until late in the year while stock piles of metals wait for buyers.
"And I suspect that most base metal markets are likely to remain in surplus over this period which will limit the extent to which we see prices recover," he says.
Andrew Collins introduces us to a man and his saltwater pet.
New England Features
Spurs dig, chaps fly at rodeo
Cowboys and cowgirls gave it their best shot on both horse and bull in front of a crowd of thousands at the Wingham Summertime Rodeo on the NSW mid-north coast.
Cowboy up for the Wingham Rodeo
Throwing on his chaps for one of the first rodeos of year will be 2008 PBR Australian Champion Bull Rider Pete Farley.
Having a bell on Christmas
What flower did the early settlers use to celebrate Christmas? It was a red and yellow bell flower from New South Wales.
An ancient sport getting people fit
People are turning to dragon boat racing as a way to get fit and meet new people.
Second generation locust hatching
A second generation of locusts has started hatching in the Riverina.
Touring Australia's shearing history
Take a personal tour of the Errowanbang shed. Built in the late 1800s, the 40-stand shed is multi-level and still in use today.
Broken Hill's mining history captured through mineral art
Usually you'd associate minerals with making items like mobile phones, houses or cars - but what about using minerals to make art?
Healthy lifestyle plan cooked up in Goulburn
Once vandalised railway buildings in the New South Wales city of Goulburn have been given new life, as a place to learn new life skills, including healthy cooking.
Bushies Day Out at Bulga
Tales of rum drinking horses and bullock cuts to the throat make this small town rodeo legendary.
Getting the crop off before the rains
Farmers across the NSW grain belt are working around the clock to finish harvest before the rains.
