A Texan Take on Queensland

Holly BehrensMaster of Agriculture in International Agriculture

Focus Area: Agricultural CommunicationsIndependent International Experience: Queensland, AU

June 14, 2015-July 23, 2015 (approximately 6 weeks)

Organizations worked with:

• Australian Brahman Breeders’ Association (ABBA)

• Central Queensland University

• Australian Government: Department of Agriculture

• Queensland Country Life newspaper

• Junior Beef Australia committee members

• Tropical Beef Technology Services

• Raglan Brahmans• Rocky Repro

How I landed the experience of a lifetime…

• American Brahman Breeders Association: Mr. Chris Shivers

• Dr. David Riley, TAMU Associate Professor, Animal Breeding & Genetics

• If you’re interested in traveling internationally, ask your connections for advice and, you never know, this could lead you to an experience of a lifetime!

Initial international experience intentions:

• learn about the Australian Beef Industry• further build on communications skills and passion for

beef cattle• make personal connections that can benefit from my

knowledge and passion for the future of the beef industry

• assist each beef/agricultural affiliated company with grasping a better understanding of differences amongst our respected beef industries, while also learning and taking in as much cultural difference as possible

Central Queensland University- Rockhampton

• Dr. Dave Swain, deputy dean of research in the School of Medical and Applied Sciences

• Lauren Williams, Central Queensland University Ph.D. student

Working on a trial for research project dealing with the water behavior of Brahman cattle

Department of Agriculture: Biosecurity

Assisted Biosecurity Inspectors at

commercial bull sale

Brian M. Burns, BVSc., MSc., PhDTAMU Class of ‘95

Queensland Country Life

International judge at the Annual Regional Sausage King

Competition

Queensland Country Life

Donald Brown, organic Droughtmaster producer

Longreach, QLD, AU

Queensland Country Life

Blog link:http://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/blogs/a-texan-take-on-qld/

Queensland Country Life

Alex & Maree Power,Lazy A Droughtmasters,

Julia Creek, QLD, AU

Queensland Country Life

Anthony Anderson, Droughtmaster producer,

Eddington Station, Julia Creek, QLD, AU

Queensland Country Life

Rob Atkinson, Katandra Station,

Hughenden, QLD, AU

Queensland Country Life

Roger & Jenny Underwood,

Eversleigh Station,

Hughenden, QLD, AU

Queensland Country Life

ABC Local Radio regional content manager,

Scott Lamond

Guest Speaker for the2015 Callide Dawson Beef

Carcass Competition Dinner

Queensland Country Life

2015 Callide Dawson Beef Carcass Competition Dinner

Sharon Howard,Livestock Sales Manager,

Writer & Advertising Representative,

Queensland Country Life

Junior Beef Week

Day #1: Guest speaker for the “Careers in Agriculture” section

of the educational first day

Junior Beef Week

Day #2: Judged the younger exhibitors’ public speaking portion of the cattle judging

competition Day #3: “International ribbon girl” of the Junior Beef Australia Show

Junior Beef Week

The mother of the youngest exhibitor participating, Reba (pictured above)

reached out to me after the Junior Beef Australia Show saying,

“She hasn’t stopped talking about you since we left Rockhampton this morning.

Thank you for all of your help.”

Night #3: Junior Beef Australia

Dinner

Junior Beef Week

Night #3: Junior Beef AustraliaDinner, committee

members

Tropical Beef Technology Services

Paul Williams, Tropical Breeds Technical Officer

Tropical Beef Technology Services

Triple B Brangus,Dingo, QLD, AU

Lindsey Barlow,property owner

Department of Agriculture: Research

Nick Corbet, Department of Agriculture’s

Cooperative Research Center (CRC) beef research scientist

Raglan Brahmans

Andrew, Roxanne, Aimee, Jacque, & Ryan Olive, Raglan Station, Raglan, QLD, AU

Photo borrowed from Sharon Howard, Queensland Country Life

Raglan Brahmans

Mustering cattle by helicopter!

Raglan Brahmans

Mustering cattle by helicopter!

Raglan Brahmans

Raglan Brahmans

Raglan Brahmans

Rocky Repro

Photo borrowed from Rocky Repro website:http://www.rockyrepro.com.au/

Rocky Repro

International Experience: Personal Impact

• I had no idea before arriving in Australia that I had the courage and determination I showed while being abroad.

• I have grasped an understanding of the main cultural differences between the U.S.A. and Australia.

• Content and genuine are two simple words that can describe the amazing people I have met through this journey.

International Experience: Professional Impact

• I have met numerous individuals in the Australian beef industry that do work with the American beef industry.

• I have become much more educated on different facets of the industry and look forward to putting my newly earned communication skills and treasured connections to use in my professional life.

International Experience:Impact I Made

• Positive impact on the Queensland agricultural industry:– “Her attitude toward these visits and her fantastic

personality has shone through and I am so proud of her. I've never met a more charming example of a Texan or an American for that matter. It is a reflection of the country I've taken Holly through that she has shed tears for the people of western Queensland. She has been so aware of people's struggles in this region but yet smart enough to see the genuine soul of the people and she loved them.”

- Sharon Howard, Queensland Country Life

Aussie Family