Good morning, Kansas! We are finishing up our eventful Friday, having left Melbourne and now staying in Seymour. We began the cold, rainy day by visiting the JBS Brooklyn Abattoir. This was my favorite tour so far!!! The plant was MUCH smaller and slower in production that any of the beef plants I have seen back in the States. They do not rib the carcasses during this process either, because they dont use the ribeye to grade. The sheep facility was very interesting, as it was the first plant I have been in. They are much quicker and efficient on the sheep line. I was very excited about seeing the facilities, and I can't wait to tell my GreelS friends all about the abattoir!!!
After what seemed to be the group's favorite meal on the trip this far, we then went onto Webb Black Simmental ranch. Brothers Phil and Bryan own the now 6 year old operation, while Lynton is the stud manager. They raise Black Simmental, Angus, and SimAngus cattle, with the focus being completely on their homozygous black Simmental herd. Phil was quite the jokester, but his business theories are very serious and competitive. They seem to be facing similar challenges, with their main challenge being the lack of communication to the consumer. The Australian mother downgrades the marbling, while the Webbs are promoting marbling EPD's to their bull customers. Another big issue they are facing is to expand numbers, as they get all semen from America. They have a beautiful operation and the few yearling calves we got to see today were high quslity, as well.
After our visit with them, we headed into Seymour for the evening. It took a little longer than expected to get to our hotel, due to a navigation error (men never ask for directions!), but we made it. The rooms are very spacious and the beds are comfy. Tonight is going to be a short night for me, because the longer I sit on the bed the sleepier I get. Tomorrow we are visiting Angus and Shorthorn ranches, before traveling to Albury for the night.
I will hopefully post pictures sometime soon!!!!
Much love,
~Kaycie
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