The sooner this happens, the better as there is a large bushfire threat emerging if showers are not received soon.

Many graziers are watching their calves drop with interest to see the results of their investment in bulls over recent years emerge into the world.

Given a good break in the season, the first round of mustering in 2010 looks promising for a good tally of weaners.

The 2010 calf drop aside, graziers have endured a tough year of speculation surrounding the direction of grazing land values, given the credit crunch and economic uncertainty.

Thankfully, the beef business remained firm and provided no reason for values to head south seriously.

Property sale volumes have been about one-third of that from 2008.

Things have not been as glossy this year, as the market perceptions of the past couple of years have rubbed off quickly.

Many have feared the worst for values.

The sales evidence for this year has not provided any great weakening from the market values achieved in the recent years though.

The re-sales of Chudleigh Park and Crewkerne provide support in this regard.

Chudleigh Park (182,0000ha breeder block to the north of Hughenden) reveals a change from its previous sale in April 2006 at about $83/ha (bare / improved) to around $123/ha in June this year.

Crewkerne (8,255ha Mitchell Grass Downs block to the north of Muttaburra) sold in May 2008 for $2.7m ($327/ha bare) to buyers who were chasing grass when their breeding country on the Barkly Tableland and Western Gulf were very dry.

The property resold in the last month for $2.5m ($303/ha bare).

When considering the size, location, level of improvement and quality of Downs, the present sale rate of Crewkerne serves to show a plateau in market values.