ID US...Please

Here is some of the propaganda I took to learn about NLIS.

The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) was one of the most interesting aspects of the trip for me. 

NLIS doesn't just help prevent the spread of disease, but it also helps increase the bottom line for producers. Having electronic identification tags like Australia uses in the beef industry enables breeders to obtain performance and carcass data much easier than in the United States. Because Australia is so dependent on exporting beef NLIS was a must and with the United States' beef industry moving more towards export it will only be a matter of time before a similar system will be adopted nationally. 

The owner of Lima Park showing an electronic ID tag.

In talking with producers it was obvious that NLIS was a major success in their marketing plans and herd improvement. For instance, at Lima Park they are now able to sell cattle to the European Union because the animals can easily be age and source verified. Also, monitoring when cattle are ran through the chute can be done thanks to the technology used to scan the electronic tags.

A digital tag reader at Lima Park.

After experiencing electronic identification in person I can now see the benefits it brings with it. In order for the United States to be on a level playing field with Australia and many other livestock producing nations, the USDA will have to continue the National Animal Identification System that was implemented in 2004.

Until we meet again, happy trails!

Australia In My Rearview

Wish I could have spent more time in Sydney.

The time has come for me to reflect on my visit to Australia.

From our tourist stops in Cairns and Sydney to the agriculture visits along the Great Dividing Range, our group of K-Staters got a great taste of Australia.

However, I found myself wanting more. More time to explore the world class city of Sydney. More time to visit Ayers Rock in the center of the country. More time to see a massive cattle station in Southern Australia. More time to see a live export ship near the port in Perth. But time and money are both in short supply for college students, so I'll just have to go back when I strike it rich (knock on wood).

It was great to learn about the different genetics in Australia.

This trip allowed me to better myself as an agricultural journalist. The daily blogs forced me to think about what I had just learned, but also what would be important to my readers back home. I asked as many questions as possible to aid in the process of understanding the differences in the agriculture systems in Australia and the United States. It also didn't hurt that I took thousands of pictures and recorded video on our trek across the eastern side of Australia.

I already miss being in Australia with my fellow Wildcats.

It was a great time on our trip getting to know my fellow Wildcats better, while also learning about a country, continent and island I've always dreamed of visiting. Now I can say "mission accomplished" and hope that someday I'll be back.

Until next time, happy trails!

Frequent Flyer Miles...or Kilometers

Our plane getting ready to depart for the USA.

During my travels across land and sea to visit Australia, I've definitely racked up some frequent flyer miles (or kilometers if in Australia).

Airport security, rules and regulations were always something I had to be aware of, especially since I was detained in Melbourne upon our arrival.

Happy Anniversary Schaakes!
(It was 2-days long thanks to the International Date Line) 

While leaving the Cairns Airport my bag was initially scanned as containing a handgun. I was a bit confused as nothing in my book bag should have resembled a gun, but I guess the x-ray machine was having some trouble looking through all my junk.

At the next airport in Brisbane a similar affair happened when I was stopped again for what I believe was suspicion of carrying a bomb. The scanned image I saw revealed a lot of cords and wires, but all of those cords and wires led to nothing. They were for my computer, MP3 player, phone and other electronic devices. Luckily, after a second time through the x-ray machine I was given the okay to pass and I was on my way to the United States.

All the bags bared my name.

After those stops in the Australian airports I had no more problems on my way back to Kansas. However, when I opened my smaller checked bag I was greeted by a note from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and a broken luggage lock. For some reason my luggage was picked for a random bag check. The bag that was selected contained nothing but clothes, so TSA wasted their time and broke my lock, which they will not replace. Thanks a lot TSA.

Something else I found interesting was during our flights with Qantas all of the bags bared my last name on the tags. I guess it something to do with "Bechtel" coming first in the alphabet.

The view while leaving Cairns was awesome.

After traveling well more than 20,000 miles or approximately 33,000 km in air, I'm back in the Sunflower State reflecting on my trip to Australia.

Until next time, happy trails!

There Was A Boy From Australia: The Auctioneer

Livestock auctions in Australia is a little different than what we are used to in the United States. Here is some video I took during the weekly cattle sale at the Wagga Wagga Livestock Marketing Centre on Monday, May 28.

I shot another video just to get some extra footage of this interesting process. In talking with our guide it was my understanding that the auction works more like a game of poker, with each buyer having their own tell. Rather than blatantly throwing their arms up to catch a bid, the buyers instead try to be inconspicuous.  

The auctioneer also has a much different "yell" than we are used to in the United States. I don't think Leroy Van Dyke was singing about this auctioneer when he sang the following song:

Until we meet again, happy trails!