My 2011 Study Tour

MY 2011 STUDY TOUR:
I am a young stud Angus breeder from "Hollywood Angus Stud", Peak Hill, NSW. I was awarded the Matthew George Young Stockman Award for 2010 at the Royal Melbourne Show. In April, I will be heading to Mexico and Canada for a four month study tour to get an overview of the beef cattle industries in these countries. I will be visiting a range of enterprises, including major shows, stud and commercial operations, and feedlots. I wish to thank the Ballarat Foundation for the opportunity to live my dream, and hope to share my experiences via this blog.

"LIVE YOUR DREAM"

"LIVE YOUR DREAM": THE MATTHEW GEORGE YOUNG STOCKMAN AWARD
The Matthew George Young Stockman Award was established as a sub-fund of the Ballarat Foundation in honour of Matthew George of Stockyard Hill, who was tragically taken in a car accident in 2007 at 21 years of age. Matthew had an absolute love of animals together with a thirst for knowledge and a passion for breeding. This annual award provides a young breeder aged 18 to 25 years with the opportunity to live Matthew's dream, and travel overseas to become an ambassador for the beef industry and study other beef cattle breeding programs and developments.
APPLY NOW FOR THE MATTHEW GEORGE AWARD 2011: Applications are now open for this year's Matthew George Young Stockman Award. This is an amazing award for anyone who wants to learn more about the beef industry. If you're aged 18-25, make sure you apply - the opportunities it opens up are just incredible! For application details, go to www.ballaratfoundation.org.au click on 'sub funds' & then 'matthew george award'. Applications close 30 June.

Tuesday, 26 April 2011

Expo Ganadera has started

The livestock expo has started with the first intake of cattle arriving on Easter Saturday, which included our Charolais.  On Sunday, there was an exhibitor dinner – quite an event! All the tables were beautifully decorated (almost like a wedding); & no cost spared with food and drinks (whole bottles of tequila on all the tables);  a mariachi band playing; all this and they don’t even have to pay entry fees for the cattle! The stalling (pictured below) is in open sided buildings with sand beds and they don’t worry much about decorating their stud areas. On right is one of judging arenas.


 


On Monday we went back to the ranch and I clipped three Angus heifers for the show. On Wed I’ll be visiting two other ranches that breed registered Angus, and Thursday the Charolais judging takes place.