Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a woman experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period

… And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11).

… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)

… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)

… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)

Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied Eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor pains, growing in intensity, frequency, size and duration.

Crunch time for winter crops in parts of Southern NSW. Australia. ‘Three measures of barley for a penny.’

Olivia Calver 29 Aug 2019. The Land.

It’s almost crunch time for winter crops in parts of southern NSW with growers considering cutting for hay or silage if significant rain doesn’t fall in the next week or two.

Rob Wettenhall farms at Deniliquin and has around 300 hectares of barley in this year.

He said strong winds over the past week had not helped crops that were already struggling to find moisture.

“For our area the next couple of weeks are critical,” Mr Wettenhall said.

“The last week we’ve had lots of wind so moisture from recent rain has disappeared. It’s been blowing a gale and it’s really hurting the crops.”

Mr Wettenhall explained while usually he could look to irrigation to fill the gap, this year a zero per cent allocation and the temporary water selling for more than $600/megalitre meant that wasn’t an option.

“Because we were on zero per cent (general security allocation) last year as well, the price and the availability has caught up to my business,” Mr Wettenhall said.

“I don’t have much carry over water and I don’t think the current water price can justify saving a four tonne (a hectare) crop.”

Mr Wettenhall ‘s agronomist, Adam Dellwo, of Elders Deniliquin, agreed there were two weeks before most growers in his region would need to make some serious decisions.

He said most crops in the region had been able to establish enough biomass to make hay or silage a good Plan B.

“We had a terrific autumn break and a mild winter so I would estimate our crops are up to two weeks earlier than what they would usually be. That creates a frost risk, but it has also allowed us to get a lot of bulk into our crops,” Mr Dellwo said.

“We’ve got crops just starting to push heads out now.”

GRDC northern region panel member, Roger Bolte West Wyalong, said that region was also getting to the pointy end of having to make decisions.

“Crops with reasonable biomass but no access to soil moisture, they’ll be questions as to where they go,” Mr Bolte said.

“Hay prices are historically very high, so there’s a ready market.

“If you can get a tonne to the acre of hay you might be a long way better off then getting half a tonne to the acre of grain.”

He said he believed the hay market would hold on because there were few crops north of Parkes this season, but acknowledged the operation itself was costly.

“There’s only old season hay at the moment and there’s virtually none of it around,” Mr Bolte said.

“Obviously hay is not as easy and it’s an expensive operation for most people (i.e. contractor costs).”

“It’s going to come down to biomass, they’ll be a number of crops that won’t generate enough biomass to make it viable to run to hay.”

Brent Morton farms at West Wyalong and said he planted the majority of his 600 hectares of wheat and 400 hectares of barley in early May.

He said the relatively late sowing time meant his crops hadn’t had the time to produce enough biomass to cut for hay, however, they could survive for a little longer without a drink.

“My later ones are not as bulky but that’s helping them hold on as well, some people went early and grew a lot of bulk but the crops are really starting to hit the wall,” Mr Morton said.

“The crops that look alright I’ll try and hold onto to for grain but we will need rain in the next 10 days to save them.”