Cheers from Becky and Wade!

6/29/10

How ya goin’?

We started off the day with our third day of breakfast at McD’s. Then we headed off to the Cargill beef abattoir in Tamworth. Tamworth is the Country Music Capital of Australia, although sadly we didn’t get to hear any live music, this is where Keith Urban got his start! At Cargill we evaluated a few beef carcasses, ribs, short loins and some beef primal. After a meal and answered some questions, we headed down the street to the Peel Valley Exporters Lamb Plant. It was very interesting; I had not been to a lamb plant before so it was quite an experience. My favorite part of the lamb plant was getting to tour the plant from live animal to cooler. We also evaluated some lamb carcass classes and answered questions. We then traveled to Duvall College in Armidale. We will be here for 4 days, so we won’t have to live out of our suitcases. We had a good meal and played a little socializing game, more socializing and then to bed. We have had a really great time so far and will have a lot more to talk about when we return! More to come from Down Under

Cheers,

Becky

6/29/10

Today I woke up in the coldest bed I ever have. Whoever said Australia would be hot was so wrong! This morning it was -10 Celcius. After a quick “Brekkie” (Breakfast) at McDonald’s we headed to Cargill @ Tamworth to practice placing beef and eating and pricing classes. Beef is much different down here; I could write a whole essay on how it is but mostly they try to slaughter younger cattle that haven’t been grain fed.

After lunch we practiced and took a complete tour of Peel Valley Lamb Exports. This was very interesting; they slaughter 4200 a day and are only operating 1 shift.

We left Tamworth across the Great Dividing Range for Armidale (even colder than Tamworth). We checked into the contest and spent the evening eating and socializing with our new friends.

To sum it up, we have been having a great time, learning lots, and making friends that hopefully last lifetime.

Cheers,

Wade