My Gumboots...

A few weeks ago I was encouraged to enter a competition through my University to enter a photo of a pair of shoes and a story about how they are reflective of your life experiences.
I decided to enter a nice photograph (is that an oxymoron?) of my gumboots and entered it in the competition. I think that my gumboots are a really good representation of farming life. Every boot/gumboot or hat out there could probably tell a story. Every stain, rip, scuff or mark has a story.
Why don't you grab a photo of your today and do a few short lines on their story and how their story represents your story/journey.....

Here is my entry that I have sent off:

"My Gumboots have been everywhere! They always ride in the back of my Rav and have been through flood, torrential downpours and more mud and manure than I can recount. They are tough & hard wearing, and never receive special attention, except for a gurnying when I have finished with them for the day. Says a lot for their resilience in many respects….. They put up with a lot of crap (literally in many cases) and are always on hand (or should I say foot) when I need them. From checking a flooded crossing, to working in the dairy or to preg testing a cow these boots are always my go to boot. When you are pushing through the hard and often unpleasant times in life there is nothing better than a pair of gumboots! "

 

 I have been lucky enough to be selected as a finalist in the competition and now have to deliver a short speech. Any hints or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

To check out more of the entries click on the image below to go to the UQ Gatton Facebook Page:

*More entries are located under the Photos Tab, then Diversity Week Competition Tab

Anzac Day 2012

2012 sees the 97th Anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealland forces at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli. This bloody battle has been ingrained in all our memories, and will be further remembered on this date.

Anzac day stands as a memorial for not just those who passed at Gallipoli, but it recognizes the ultimate sacrifice laid down by those brave men and women in protection of the values that we hold dear and cherish.
I have attended this year the local dawn service with colleagues from University. I find that the dawn service is definitely the most moving of all the services. Being able to stand in the stillness of the dawns waking light remembering and thanking those for their sacrifices that they have given .

Part of the tradition of Anzac Day sees attendees traditionally pinning a sprig of Rosemary to their lapel in honour of the memories of the fallen. The tradition of Rosemary dates back to Ancient times where it is belived to have properties of improving the memory. Further more to this bushes of Rosemary have been found growing in the wild on the Gallipoli Peninsular. This has been adopted as an icon and symbolises keeping the memory alive and strong in recognition of the fallen.
Anzac day is often best symbolised by the remembrance that it holds key. The Ode is read, followed by the last post to honour the fallen, this is then followed by two-minutes silence which is then broken by Reveille. This part of the ceremony is often the most poignant leaving many a tear in the eye of attendees.

The video below by Adam Brand ("The Anzac") show's some very powerful images of the Anzac's and an understanding of the ceremony.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn....

These immortal words from the Ode of Remembrance (Binyon, excerpt from the poem "The Fallen") cast a lasting and poignant message to those that remember those that have fallen.

2012 See's the 97th Anniversary of the battle for Gallipoli, it is on this day that we stop and pause in remembrance of not just these brave men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice, but also those those that have laid down their lives since in the Theater of War.

ANZAC day recognized as the 25th of April each year provides an opportunity for us all to take stock and reflect on the ultimate sacrifices that those that have come before us have done.

Whether it be on the shores of ANZAC Cove in Gallipoli, in major city or in a small country town Cenotaph we will all stop to remember those that have fallen, and pay tribute and thanks to those that remain with us today. There is no moment more stirring than when the Last Post is played, followed by two minutes silence. The stillness of this moment is quite stirring and moving.

Below provides a visual indication and tribute to the fallen in the coverage taken at ANZAC Cove 2011 at the dawn service.



I shall be attending the Dawn service tomorrow, with numerous numbers of my colleagues from University.

This week in the lead up to and including and passing ANZAC Day 2012, I will be endeavouring to post a story or excerpt of article that I have found particularly profound.

Sources:
http://hccweb3.org/3s2010/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/rosemary_white_bg.jpg

Back to Uni.....

Leaving......

Don't know when I'll be Back Again........

Well perhaps just a little melodramatic, but it's that time of the year and I am back of to Uni to hit the books, study up and try to balance, sleep, study and a social life all at the same time. 

This time I am headed to UQ Gatton for a change of pace and degree.

 So that will mean more of this:

  

 And (Unfortunately) Less of This:

Image Source

 I will be endeavoring to get back in and write more regular blogs and get started again with the Photo Friday (I know I have been a bit slack with this of late....). But until then I thought I would leave you with these few little gems, Enjoy!

Common Scientific Report Phrases and Their Meanings:

Thanks to Ryan Goodman over at Agriculture Proud (Check it out here) for this absolute gem (above). Check out his blog for some terrific insights into the Agricultural Industry.

 

This image (above) was one I stumbled upon through my News Feed on Facebook. Not Sure how true it is but it gave me a bit of a chuckle.

So that's what the big long glove is used for....

It has long been the scourge of any child that told their parent they want to get into Animal Science, Veterinary Science that:
 "You know you'll have to put your hand up a cows backside".

 

 Pause for thought.....

Some will baulk, others will embrace that their chosen professional isn't always the cleanest.

Recently I had to preg test some cows at home and brought my camera along and thought I might do a bit of a post on some the stuff we do for the husbandry and well being of our cows.

So why do we do it?

Well the easiest and one of the most accurate ways to diagnose the pregnancy of a cow is through a process called rectal palpation.

To do this the gloved hand is inserted in to the rectum of the cow and to feel through the wall of the rectum for the various signs (of which there are many) that indicate the stage of pregnancy that the cow is at.


Safety & Welfare Aspects

Some may question this as to whether it places strain on the cow. The stress that the cow experiences is minimal and we take many precautions to avoid any stress or injury to the cow.

For instance:

• The long gloves we wear aren't just there to keep our arms clean, they do serve a purpose. They are worn as they are able to have a lubricant applied to them which enables a smoother and easier entry into the cow.
• The picture on the right shows the gear I use when I preg test, there are often some variations on this, but essentially they are all very similar.: 
• The Clear Bottle: Obstetric Lubricant- This aids in entry and contains a stericide for keeping the process as clean as possible.
• Shoulder Protector: Keeps my glove up and maintains another barrier.
• Latex Gloves: Always keep one on my non palpating hand and use one over my obstetric glove - ensures that I can easily feel and can change gloves regularly and easily.
• Obstetric Gloves: Available in a whole range of colours, basically I have a box that fit my hand the best and are easy to palpate with. These are regularly changed.
•  When I only have a few cows to preg test I will change gloves after each cow.
• When I am checking cows, I make sure to do it at a time during the day that good temperature wise for the cattle, ie- In the morning or afternoon when the temperatures are cooler.

Management
Further to the why we do it section: Preg Testing cows has a lot of management implications. For instance it enable producers to better plan ahead for the purposes of having adequate feed reserves and it also enables producers to manage their herds efficiently ensuring all their cattle are productive animals.

Australia Day 2012

Every year on the 26th of January all around Australia we celebrate Australia Day.
This year being no different saw me head into town for the anual Australia Day Awards Ceremony, recognising those in our community who have made an outstanding contribution through their service and dedication. This year was also a first for me too, I got to be present to see the swearing in of two groups of brand new Australian Citizens.
Following the formalities of the day we got down to the serious business of Lammington and Meat Pie Eating Contests, Whip Cracking Competitions, Pavlova Making Competitions and of course it wouldn't be Australia day without our (least) favourite import: The Cane Toad Races.

I will hopefully have some photos to come but for now, why don't you test yourselves on Aussie Pop Culture and Trivia with the "Official" Australian Citizenship test:

Leave your answers in the comments below and we'll see ho you've gone, Enjoy!




1.  What is a "bloody little beauty"?

2. Are these terms related: chuck a sickie; chuck a spaz; chuck a U-ey?

3. Explain the following passage: 'In the arvo last Chrissy the relos rocked up for a barbie, some bevvies    and a few snags. After a bit of a Bex and a lie down we opened the pressies, scoffed all the chockies, bickies and lollies. Then we drained a few tinnies and Mum did her block after Dad and Steve had a barney and a bit of biffo.'

4.Complete the following sentences:
   a) 'If the van's rockin' don't bother ?
   b) You're going home in the back of a ?
   c) Fair crack of the ?


5. Is there someone you are only mates with because they own a trailer or have a pool?



6. What are the ingredients in a rissole?

7. Demonstrate (or Describe) the correct procedure for eating a Tim Tam.


8. In any two-hour period have you ever eaten three-bean salad, a chop and two serves of pav washed down with someone else's beer that has been flogged from a bath full of ice?

9. When you go to a bring- your-own-meat barbie can you eat other people's meat or are you only allowed to eat your own?

10. What purple root vegetable beginning with the letter 'b' is required by law to be included in a hamburger  with the lot?

11. Define the following: Victa, thongs, Esky & Ugg boots?


12. Who is the most Australian: John 'The Voice' Farnham, John 'True Blue' Williamson, Kylie Minogue or Warnie?

What is a Poddy Calf?

I've had a few bemused looks and queries lately when I've used the phrase "Poddy Calf", so I think today is as good a day to set the record straight as we have just got a new baby poddy.

A Poddy Calf is an orphan calf (though this phrase can be used to describe a generic calf). In instances where a calf loses its mother it is commonly reared by hand or with another foster cow. Calf's reared by hand are often fed a formulated milk replacer, that contains all the essential minerals and nutrients required by growing calves.
In the case below and any other cases it is vitally important to the health and development of a calf that it receives the colostrum (first lactation from a cow that has just calved) as this contains a lot of natural antibiotic compounds required by the calf for immunity defenses. Colostrum can be frozen and kept for a period of time so you it can be used for other calves if they haven't been able to get fresh colostrum.

Meet Marcus:

Marcus is a one week old Braford. Sadly we lost Marcus's mother, but we were able to save him. He weighed an incredible 50kg at birth and is certainly a very big bull calf. 
This photo here was taken about three days after he was born. He is currently being bottle fed up to four times a day depending on how much he drinks and how hungry he is.
We are planning to introduce Marcus to one of our foster cows as he is getting a bit too big to stay in the backyard of the homestead.

 Here you can see him sleeping in Mum's garden (another reason why he is getting too big for the Homestead yard.).
He is a real character of a calf full of personality and energy, he will happily chase you across the yard to get to his milk