Finally Eating Steak!

May 27th 2012

Albury to Wagga Wagga

            Well it was one short night, but it was a lot of fun. We finally got to choose our own dinner last night at a restaurant called Soden's! I had a filet mingon medium rare of course. Being grass fed it really wasn't that bad. I never realized how much I would miss not having beef until our only choices for meals has been fish and chips, chicken, or veal. We also found out why we are not so found of the lamb here. Americans like to drink water with their meals. And when you drink water with your lamb it makes it chewy and kind of an off flavor. Another interesting fact about food here is that they serve salad on the side of their meal instead fed before your main dish. They call ketchup tomato sauce and if you ask for ranch dressing you get laughed at. Learning their customs and ways of eating.
             This morning was a little more interesting than normal. I found out that a tornado went through my hometown so that wasn't a good thing to wake up to. So sorry about the awful delay in getting in my blog posted and the pictures. The scenery is beautiful here. The grass is lush green and they actually get rain here as its been raining the past few days. I just can't get over the landscaping here. I keep looking out the window as I'm typing up this blog on the bus.

             We visited Valera White Suffolk & Bond Merino Studs. Owned and operated by Andrew and Mandy Bouffler. They had Trigger Vale Polls and White Suffock Studs which are the source of superior White Suffolks and maternal Poll genetics. They did also did A.I. at their farm. It was neat to see their operation and how they are trying to be a great seed stock producer. The biggest predator for the sheep in Australia seem to be hawks and foxes. The hawks nibble out their eyes and then the foxes finish them off.

             Next we visited the Marrocka Emu farm. Those are some crazy chickens. The females are very territorial compared to the males. They are used for their meat, oil, feathers, and leather. I have never been on an emu farm so it was sure one experience.

             Last place we visited was the Ardlui Shorthorn Stud farm. They are the largest Shorthorn breeders in Australia. They were involved in an international genetic assessment program. They were the best cattle we have seen so far. The cattle were built more small compared to the rest of the large cattle here.
             And finally we got to Wagga Wagga where we finally have free wifi!!! We are all in our rooms typing away!

So until next time!
Elizabeth