What a great success! Square Meaters breeders and others interested in the Breed, converged on Misty Meadows on Saturday May 7th to attend the Square Meaters Masterclass for Beginners. They came from all over Victoria, and even ventured across the border from South Australia. True to its name, a heavy mist engulfed Misty Meadows early and hovered most of the day but this did not detract from the wonderful interactive learning process which took place during the Masterclass.
Glen Jackson, a highly respected cattle breeder and former Director of the Square Meaters Cattle Association of Australia, and his wife Julieanne, drove 900 kms from their property, Glennholme Square Meaters (ph: 02 6543 1413) in central NSW, to conduct the Masterclass in Taggerty, Victoria.
With many years of knowledge and experience behind him, Glen proceeded to give us the "practical nuts and bolts of cattle breeding specific to Square Meaters".
Glen started with the Murray Grey - Square Meaters breed history. "It's important to know where we come from and where we are going" he said. "Square Meaters are arguably the most successful cross breed programme ever initiated because each of the originial breed puts its best attributes into the new breed with heritable repeatability. " He went on to explain how to select elite performing cattle, how to visually evaluate animals for top performance, how to set up a proven and successful breeding program specifically for Square Meaters, correct measuring techniques, tattooing , and cattle identification.
A selection of bulls and heifers were in the cattle yard for the pratical demonstration of the principles he was teaching, with full hands-on participation from the attendees.
Glen then moved onto marketing, natural cattle care, stock health and in particular, the importance of minerals in cattle performance.
Mark Kemp, Square Meaters Breeder and Butcher, presented "What Butchers look for in a Carcass", knowledge which was truly welcomed by the Group.
So much enthusiasn was generated by the Masterclass that people were still standing around the cattle yard at 6.30 pm, in the dark, engaged in animated conversation!
About 20 folk stayed overnight in the area and we all went to dinner in Alexandra. It was an enjoyable evening, conspicuous by the continued enthusiasm for Square Meaters cattle, the Masterclass, and the newly formed Vic Breeders Group.
Many positive comments on the Masterclass have been received, for example :
"He (i.e. partner) gave it a 9 1/2 out of 10, and he usually doesnt go past a 7!"
"Thanks for organising such an amazing day..... enjoyed it immensely.....Glenn really knows his stuff"
"I loved the day -It was great to catch up with others doing what we are doing..............breeding beautiful animals with all the attributes the Squares have. The mix of sit down learning and hands on was great and the yummy food and chat time in between were excellent."
"Thanks again for hosting the event which I found both very pleasant and on the button."
"Thanks or organising and hosting the excellent day.... I t was really good to see so many new members and so much enthusiasm, it certainly bodes well for the future"
A very special thank you to Glen and Julieanne.
Christina and Paul
24th May 2011
