Early arrival

Finley High School’s agriculture and primary industries students and staff have been kept on their toes, with the school’s cattle breeding program starting earlier than expected.

Abeautiful calf called ‘Uptown Girl’ came into the world in mid-May, two weeks earlier than anticipated.

She is out of Showgirl, and by Kathleen and Peter Falls’ bull Southcote Maximum Impact M7.

Like her dam, Uptown Girl is shaping up to be a wellbalanced, large-framed female.

Gerald Spry of Sprys Shorthorns Wagga Wagga donated semen from Sprys Thermal Energy, and this was used to artificially inseminate (AI) Showgirl.

She was pregnancy tested in calf by vet Des McRae from Jerilderie last year, and so began the wait to meet her calf.

“The calf arrived about two weeks early, and is a healthy heifer,” Finley High School teacher Robyn O’Leary said.

“She is growing like a mushroom and is a beautiful, friendly calf.

“We are confident that Uptown Girl will go on to be an important cow in the FHS herd.

“She will be too young to compete at the Melbourne Royal this year, however we look forward to presenting

Uptown Girl at some of the local shows in term four this year.”

Following since has been ‘FHS Ultra’, out of Nullamanna Kate and by FHS Ron in early June.

Mrs O’Leary said the school had assistance from Andrew Chesworth to implement the AI program this year.

“Andrew and Kirstie are local farmers. Their children attend, or have attended, Finley High School and been actively involved in agriculture and primary industries lessons and the show team.

“A large number of students elect to study agriculture through the program and involve themselves in the show team.

“We are often very successful, and our program and facilities are the envy of many an ag teacher,” she said.

“To attain this success, we rely heavily on donations of many kinds, from semen to carcase animals, hay to transport, hoof trimming to veterinary work and many things in between.

“We are always seeking donations of small squares of lucerne, clover, or pasture hay and small oaten hay bales to take to shows.

“We are currently needing transport for 14 to 16 steers for the Royal Melbourne Show in September.

“We are very fortunate and incredibly grateful that we have many supporters who see the value in the program and the benefits it brings to the young people with whom we work.”

Another factor that enables success for Finley High’s ag program is the student access to animals and facilities.

“As our farm is on-site, our students can access it at any time - for entire lessons, for a quick 20 minute activity or at short notice.

“This allows students to witness and participate in the many activities that would be undertaken on a working property.”

Integral to this is the availability of adjoining crown land, and land owned by the Catholic Church,” Mrs O’Leary said.