SDARL Alumni Visit Australia
Feb. 20-21
The Australian adventure came to a fitting conclusion with a full-day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling provided views of coral and fish in the sparkling blue water. The travelers learned about the reef’s structure, ecology, and the protection and preservation of its coral structures affected by temperature, pollution, and fishing.
Some of the travelers headed home for South Dakota, while several stayed on for the New Zealand extension with a further six days of tours, visits, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Safe travels, everyone! Thank you for joining this SDARL alumni trip.
Feb. 16-19
The SDARL group left the Narrabri area and headed north to Moree, stopping to visit a pecan plantation and the Yaama Ganu Gallery featuring works created by Aboriginal artists. Next was a stop at Hayes Spraying, a manufacturer of boom spraying equipment since 1975, and a guest speaker from the Coulton family farm, which grows wheat, barley, chickpeas, cotton, and sorghum, Angus and Wagyu cattle. Concerned about clothing waste, the Coultons developed a method of spreading used cotton fibers on productive ground to return the organic matter to the soil; they also produce a line of durable, biodegradable cotton clothing - Goondiwindi Cotton.
Continuing north and east toward Brisbane, the group visited Archer Pastoral regenerative grazing operation, raising cattle and sheep, and the Kerwee feedlots. A quick flight to Cairns brought the SDARL alumni to the lush rainforests of northeast Australia. Visits included AquaVerde Redclaw hatchery and farm, growing a species of crayfish, and the Skybury coffee plantation and papaya farm. An absolute highlight was the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway with a birds-eye view of the Barron Falls.
Feb. 14-15
Traveling through the rural areas of Dubbo and Narrabri, the alumni group experienced more Australian culture and agriculture. The group visited Fletcher International Exports, a lamb and sheep processing facility with a capacity for 90,000 animals per week at their two locations. With a philosophy of using the entire animal, Fletcher markets wool and sheepskin in addition to meat products. Travelers continued to enjoy their lodging at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo cabins, described as “glamping!” A highlight was the visit to the Myall Springs Farm of Matt and Mel Carter, a 4th-generation family farm focused on organic production, soil health, and sustainable farming practices. The day concluded with a stop at the Australian Cotton Research Institute.
Feb. 11-13
SDARL alumni continued their educational tour of Australia, departing from Sydney and making their way southward and inland to Canberra. The group met with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and Parliament House. Field visits were to the CSIRO Agricultural Research Station at Boorowa, the Mulyan family “mixed farming” operation that grows cattle, sheep, wheat, canola, maize, popcorn, oats, beets, asparagus, onions, and spinach, as well as a stop at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Lodging was at zoo cabins, where SDARL travelers reported seeing rhinos, giraffes, and adult and baby kangaroos grazing just a few yards away. What an incredible adventure!
Feb. 10, 2024
Today’s itinerary included Bondi Beach, the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, and a dinner cruise of Sydney Harbour.
Feb. 9, 2024
After nearly 24 hours of travel, the SDARL alumni group made it safely to Sydney, Australia, leaping forward 17 hours in time and getting their first glimpses of the land “down under.”
With some time to rest and adjust, today’s itinerary included a presentation from Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), a meeting with the agribusiness division of National Australia Bank, and a guided tour of the world-famous Sydney Opera House.
Follow the blog for more updates from SDARL in Australia!
SDARL Alumni
At the Sydney Opera House