WoolProducers, the peak body for farmer organisations such as the Victorian Farmers Federation and New South Wales Farmers, has pushed for a 1.5 per cent levy on wool sales while Australian Wool Innovations requested the retention of the current two per cent rate.

In a shocker of a poll, less than 25 per cent of levy payers even bothered to cast their vote.

AWI has been criticised for not consulting with growers on marketing and research projects, however, it seems to be more in tune with wool growers than its critics give it credit for.

The sad fact is that farmer organisations are withering on the vine, as are many other rural-based organisations. It is a sign of the times.

WoolProducers has backed the wrong horse for years.

First it was the Johnes debacle that ripped apart the cattle and sheep industries and continues to fester. Then it was mulesing, farmer organisations blindly backed a ban. Thankfully the practice has become acceptable with pain relief.

As a peak body they should have ensured better protocols were in place for the live sheep trade. In this case they have sadly let down Western Australian sheep breeders. WoolProducers as an organisation has been inept in pushing back against animal rights activists. And now they have backed the wrong horse on the Woolpoll levy.

They and others have been very quick off the mark to take aim at AWI and its democratically-elected directors.

They have got into the ear of federal agriculture minister Littleproud and others such as Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie, who is well and truly on the nose with many woolgrowers.  

​No, you are not dreaming if you heard that the Victorian government has signed a trade deal with China.

Yes with China, a communist country where human rights are going down the gurgler daily.

If you thought stupidity only lay at the feet of local councils who have attacked Australia Day you are wrong.

The Victorian China deal is secret. Oh that is wonderful.

No doubt premier Andrews has been pushed by a group of faceless men in the Melbourne business community as he is not smart enough to come up with such a preposterous idea.

Given the secrecy it is hard to attack the mechanics of the plan, however most export trade is under the control of the federal government.

Next we know we may have a Victorian army and Andrews may decide to build submarines.

This year’s Melbourne Cup has been done and dusted and the winner was Scott Morrison.

Well he may not have been first past the post, but being seen at a Queensland country race meeting with a betting ticket and stubbie in hand would have won him many admirers.

His natural easy-going political style was well and truly on show. 

Contrast that with Nationals leader Michael McCormack and his deputy Bridget McKenzie seen swanning around at the Melbourne Cup.

No doubt the good senator was shoring up her tenuous hold on a coalition ticket.