Day 6: Australian Beef Done "Right"

Today was was another interesting day in Australia (nothing new there). Our stops today showed us a different method of beef production in Australia--one that more closely resembles that back home. We started at the Wagga Wagga sale yards, moved on to the Cargill-Teys plant, and concluded with a visit to Jindalee feedlot outside the rural community of Temora.

At the sale yards we were able to see how live cattle are marketed. It's not much different that a sale barn back home, other than the auctioneers are harder to understand.

The Cargill plant was much more "American" than the JBS/Swift plant toured earlier. A lot more grain fed beef is processed, and unlike the JBS plant, it is strictly a beef plant.

The Jindalee feedyard was very similar to a US feedlot. They run about 15,000 head, mainly consisting of angus and angus cross steers, with a few other breeds and a few heifers. They make use of growth implants and grain rations, which was refreshing to see. Until now, everything we've seen and heard has been about grass-fed, hormone free beef.

Well, that about wraps up today's adventures. We're off to Sydney tomorrow, so stay tuned!