- Here in West Oz we are having a "BIG DRY".
Yep, we are in drought, folks. Absolutely no rain at all over summer, and
in my town about 86 millilitres since then. I live in the wheatbelt and
this time of year is our growing season, as it usually rains all winter!
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- I just thought I'd discuss it a bit here, to inform you
of what a drought entails in reality and also to let you know a few things
that are happening here.
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- I had an acquaintance stop me in town couple weeks ago..."Hey,
Jules, what do you reckon with these planes that are spraying overhead?"
and "I reckon it has something to do with us getting no rain."
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- Yep, folks, those spray planes are out, ahead of any
rain front that comes our way. We get the clouds slide right on over us
and not a drop of rain. PEOPLE ARE NOW NOTICING!! (and they are asking
the lady they used to call "crazy woman"!)
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- So for the reality of the situation....
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- There is no feed left in West Australia. Grain has been
stopped at the wharfs and sent to towns in need. Our radio announces every
lunchtime in which town feed is available, what the individual ration quota
is, and the price.
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- A "cocky" (Oz for farmer) friend of mine shot
450 lambs a couple weeks back. Half of the sheep in West Oz are now starving...and
half the birthed lambs die within one day. The ewes have no milk as there
is no green feed. Farmers are shooting their sheep and cattle now. The
cockies don't know how they will afford their seed for next year, as this
crop has failed. No rain means no clouds too, so we've had extremely cold
(below freezing) nights...any seed which had a chance has been killed by
frost. Road train after road train of sheep and lambs pass my house every
day. Starving animals are a site to behold indeed...Churches in West Oz
got together and prayed for rain 2 weeks ago, with prayers on the radio
as well.
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- The city folk don't see a big problem yet...it is only
a news article to them. What it means is food will go up in price come
spring, no new equipment will be bought, no vehicles traded and updated,
no money spent. Hey, you city slickers....you are gonna feel this soon!
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- Now the TOPPER TO THE STORY was on TV news tonight! A
fund has been set up for everyone to be able to donate money for stock
feed...through Challenge Bank here. The spokesman said that as there is
no feed left in WA, the fund will have to buy COMPOSITE FEED FROM THE MAJOR
FEED COMPANIES OVER EASTERN STATES! Well, guess the Chemical Companies
are gonna make some more bucks, huh? (Course, they aren't making nothing
with those spray planes are they?)
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- On that note, the Chemical Companies doing GM crop trials
here have been required by law now to make available the details of where
the trials are being done. There are many trials in our area, around Narrogin,
WA. Major loophole though...they only have to give details of trials in
place right now and for the future. Nothing about past trials...hmmmm.
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- Many farmers here in my area are banding together now
(we are talking MAJOR wheat/canola/grain farmers!) against GM crops and
are going ORGANIC! And guess what? Their crops are surviving the drought
so far! Good on yer, guys!
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- Look at the top of my page and read through again -methinks
it is all connected. Playing with the grid isn't real bright! Watch for
that US missile test later this month.
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