High Spa has become a popular destination for many overseas visitors who want to gain some understanding of farming and breeding methods in Australia and view some well bred Angus cattle.
The MLA, as a component of their “Together with Japan” program initiated an Australian visit of young students interested in agriculture from different parts of the recently affected tsunami and earthquake area of Japan. High Spa commends the MLA on this wonderful initiative.
Along with Melanie Brock, MLA Regional Manager Japan; Miho Kondo, Manager – Japan Trade Services, International Markets and Economic Services, MLA; Wagyu breeder Kikuchi san (large Wagyu breeder in Australia for the Wagyu conference); Michael Pointer, Immediate Past CEO of Certified Australian Angus Beef™ a small group of polite, enthusiastic students, four girls and one boy, got to know each other and Brian, Wayne and Theresa of High Spa over a lunch of Certified Australian Angus Beef™ steaks.
Students were given the opportunity to slice and cook the steaks, and were interested in the volume of meat consumed by Australians in comparison to people in Japan. They were also delighted in the variety of colourful vegetables in the salads accompanying the beef as there is a shortage of vegetables in Japan at the moment because of the tsunami disaster.
After lunch the group toured the farm, viewing steers and a large group of cows with well developed calves at foot. The cows and calves were so interested in the small tour bus they milled around it and allowed an “up close and personal” view for all the students. The Japanese visitors experienced first-hand the quiet and inquisitive nature of High Spa cattle.
The visit provided some wonderful interaction and cultural exchange for all concerned. All at High Spa gained more insight into the current frailty of Japan as a result of the earthquake disaster, how agriculture has been affected, the problems of radioactive food and the subsequent dent in their economy affecting beef consumption and exports.