NEW ZEALAND SCHOLARSHIP REPORT – 2018
New Zealand Tour – 2018
My journey began on the 7th of April when I flew out of Sydney due for Waipukurau via Auckland and Napier where I stayed foremost of my time at Hiwiroa Shorthorns, where I was very well looked after by Nick and Claire Syme. On day 1 of my trip Nick and I drove to Toupo to attend a Beef and Lamb workshop at the state-owned farm Landcorp, about beef progeny testing and analysing the results to see if there was any EBV correlation from a wide range of sires. This was a very interesting and eye-opening experience where I learnt how much certain traits change and what sort of traits the kiwis are aiming to achieve in their herd. Coming from a farming background I quickly learnt the different management practices used and just how efficient the land and farmers are.
For the next few days Nick and I put up portable electric fences, moved stock and tied up steers in preparation for the Future Beef NZ show in Feilding which I attended for a three-day camp. The show is very focussed on educating young people not only about cattle but all things agricultural which I thought was great because the showing wasn’t important at all, it was all about learning, meeting people and having fun which a lot of shows sometimes forget. Nick’s steers done exceptionally well taking out champion lightweight on the hoof and hook and winning the champion overall carcase. A very fun time was had and huge credit to the committee of Future beef for putting on a good show.
I visited Masterton where I attended the NZ Shorthorns AGM and also attended the first ever multi-vendor, multi breed video sale in New Zealand which comprised of Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn Bulls. The sale was packed with buyers and a was a really great spectacle.
I also visited studs, Hinewaka, Raupuha and Morton Shorthorns, where we inspected the herd and sale bulls where I was surprised when I saw that most of the cattle were sired by Australian bulls, partially ones with good carcass attributes.
During my time at Russell and Mavis Proffit’s Property Raupuha, I got an insight into his highly intensive sheep and cattle operation and how he uses precision ag tools such as RFID tags and an Auto drafter for his sheep to be efficient and profitable.
On my last few remaining days I visited Craig and Ken Morton of Morton Shorthorns. I was really impressed with the quality of their cattle because it was only a herd of about 40 breeders but they were all of a high standard. The location of their property which backed up to a harbour at Kati Kati was pretty cool too.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to travel to New Zealand and the chance to meet a lot of breeders and other people interested in agriculture in New Zealand. It is a very interesting and eye opening experience and I would highly recommend this Scholarship to anyone.
By Logan Manwaring.
