Australia is Fast-Approaching!

I can't believe how fast this semester has flown by...it seems like only a few class meetings ago, were were all just beginning to get to know each other at La Fiesta.  We have actually met 14 times already...our 15th class meeting will be tomorrow at Cox Brothers BBQ and then, the next time we see each other as a group will be in Kansas City getting ready to leave for AUSTRALIA!  We've learned alot about our upcoming destination from these class meetings.  Some of my favorite facts include the following:


Australia is comprised of 6 states and 2 major territories with varied climates from vast desert to rainforest to fertile croplands.  Their school year runs from the end of January to the end of December with 3 two week breaks throughout the year.  We've gotten just a taste of some of the Australian slang.  You can read some of it for yourself here:  http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html

Since the trip is centered around agriculture, we have also learned about Australian cattle, sheep, and other ag enterprises.  Approximately 1/4 of Australia's nearly 28 million cattle are Angus.  Simmental cattle and their crosses (Simbeef) and growing in demand due to their early growth, high marbling, and adaptability to all of Australia's climate zones.  Australia exports 62% of the beef it produces with very strict animal welfare outcomes for the receiving countries.  The main kinds of sheep in Australia are the Merino (known for its high quality wool) and the Suffolk.  There are some familiar business names in Australia such as Cargill and JBS who is Australia's largest feedlot operator.  


A couple of our agricultural visits that I am especially excited about are Lawson Angus--the largest seedstock operation in Australia selling over 800 bulls every year-- and the emu farm in The Rock.  Normally, I would say that raising emus is a rather exotic endeavor, but emu are native to Australia and there are many products derived from emus.  Obviously, they are used for their extremely lean meat, but they also yield oil, leather, and feathers.  


Outside of agriculture, I am most excited for our visit to the Great Barrier Reef!  The beautiful reef itself is estimated to be 500 million years old, but it was only discovered in 1770.  It is 1800 miles long and visible from space!  The gigantic chain of reefs provides over 63,000 jobs in Australian tourism and brings in a projected $6 billion to their economy.  

As fast as this semester has gone by, I'm sure the next 3 weeks will fly and before we know it, we'll be experiencing all the fun of Australia!  I'm ready for some beautiful views like the ones above and those in this video from Tourism Australia:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHzpQOVzqX0&feature=relmfu
(Just try and get that song out of your head! ;)


Pictures:
http://www.wildcarnivore.com/images/australian%20desert.jpg
http://www.thegreenpages.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/blakers-rob-rapid-river-in-rainforest-tarkine-tasmania-australia.jpg?39a4ff
http://foodsafety.suencs.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Wheat-Field.jpg
http://www.hichinese.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/great-barrier-reef.jpg