Hopping across the state line

Well a new week has begun and see the start of my second week in the USA and my study. I seem to have been back and forward across the Nebraska and Kansas state lines just about every day so far.

I spent Sunday in the Kearney Nebraska area as I already mentioned finding out about the history of the area and and how the pioneers made their way across the country in the 1800's suffering at the hands of the natives, weather, terrain and disease. For those that fled starvation in Ireland because of the potato famine it was a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire. The Pioneer Village in Minden traces the history of the development of the mid west with old buildings and alls sorts of items documenting the evolution of the area. I have never seen so many old cars tractors farm machines, household items and goodness knows what else!

On Tuesday I spent the day with the Igenity field man in Kansas. We called with a really interesting breeder, Tim Oldhe at Olhde Cattle Co Palmer KS. Tim has really clear practical ideas about the type of cattle he likes and breeds, highly successfully. It was a pleasure meeting you Tim and seeing your herd. I could easily have spent the day debating all sorts of aspects relating to cow size, efficiency, grazing management, breeds and crosses but alas we all had things to do. Check out the OCC web site to find out more about the herd.

Next stop was up to Courtland Kansas to visit the Jensen family and see their Hereford herd. This was one of those spontanious visits that happened because I was close by and the jensens had time to show me their great herd. Great isnt really comprehensive enough. Having been of the opinion that the majority of cattle in the USA had been "moderated" it was great to see the big (not massive) maternal cows there.

I didnt see to many I couldnt use back at home and a tremendous batch of calves by their current stock bull Redeem and their other home bred and AI sires. The quality goes all the way through the herd. Wonderful cattle and people. Thanks for the Hospitality.

Yesterday saw me visiting one of the most important stops on my study in the USA, the US Meet Animal Research Centre (US MARC) at Clay Centre Nebraska. With over 6000 breeding females at their disposal they have a tremendous resource and valuable herd to utelise in their work. The cows have been bred through various "cycles" from the early '70's now being on number 8 all documented and recorded.

I had the opportunity to speak with 5 of the 59 scientists there learning about implementing breeding decisions, the development and potential of genomic selection, genomic selection for disease resistance, Genetic defects and "twinning" beef cows- selecting cows for their tendancy for multiple births.

I spent last night and today with Dr Matt Spangler and Dr Rick Rasby from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. We were in Norfolk Nebraska where they were taking a clinic titled bull selection and beef cow management at a college there. I found the clinic really interesting and informative, covering breeding, EPD's, MAS, Nutrition, condition scoring, udder scoring and timely cow management. Thanks to you both for taking me along and for all the information I relieved from your office Matt! The agriculture curriculum taught in schools and colleges here is so strong it still impresses me with the level of funding pumped in and the enthusiasm of the young people taking the classes.

Thats me up to date now, I have one more day in Nebraska tomorrow then its off to near Des Moines in Iowa for the weekend. Im having problems getting internet access regularly but hopefully I can keep up with the trend I have set. Bye for now.