Research and Angus Bull Stud

July 6, 2010

G'day Mates!

Today was an interesting day. We spent the morning at the Glen Innes Research Station. There we met the beef research head, Jason. Jason also lined up presentations from the head sheep guy, and two of the agronomists. It was really interesting to talk with all of them. We had lots of discussion with each speaker about the differences between how we run agricultural operations and why. We also learned that they don't have many invasive weeds, or very many plants that are poisonous to livestock. They also have insane stocking rates compared to what we are used to. At the station they were running a cow to every acre, which they admitted was overstocked, but not too bad.

This afternoon, we went and toured Greg Chappell's place. He runs a majority of angus, but has a few Bonsmara and Belmont Reds. The bonsmara and belmont reds really didn't do much for me. They had too much leather and were too round in the hip, but they were good in their own regards I suppose. However, he had some amazing Angus bulls. They are having a bull sale in 3 weeks, and from what we heard they usually average $5,000 to $6,000. Every bull also has EBVs (Estimated Breeding Values), the same things as our EPDs. Tonight we ate Italian pizza and stayed in the Formule 1 hotel again. Pretty good day!

Have a good one,

Jaymes

After another breakfast at trusty old McDs we headed out to a CRC (Cooperative Research Center). Orginally we were going to go out and have a look at some of the paddocks and animals... however, the weather didn't cooperate with us. So instead we had some presentations by the head of the sheep research station and some agronomists. We learned that many pastures in Australia are seeded... a practice that allows them to have a lot of grass even throughout the winter. Lunch was at an excellent little bakery with awesome meat pies! We then headed out to Shannon Vale, an Angus stud ranch. We got to look at a variety of bulls and push the vat out of several different fields! We then drove down the coast to Coffs Harbour. We stayed in Lander's favorite motel Formule 1, where Becky and I were intruded to the joys of cockroaches... in our bathroom! Fun time! Tomorrow we head out to see some more farms.

Cheers!

Jessi