Head in a bucket (he does that every morning!)

 He's old, muddy, grumpy and he wasn't making it any secret he wasn't going to be sharing his breakfast with Ranger and the other little horses. As for me well the black eye has at last waned to a faded reminder of Muphy's visit last week to the farm. The cows and naughty little Tempest, are finding out the hard way that an electrified wire is now on the road fence. We've had a few fine days, it's still a bog hole here. My complaints are going unheeded by Mr Winter. He won't be leaving until the end of August - darn. I'm going back to the mud now to complain some more or mayube I'll just go and have a coffee instead

Talking of horses I found this beautiful tribute to the Arabian horse done with clips from the Black Stallion and other films. Cas Ole was the stallion that starred in what was an outstanding film based on the Walter Farley book of the same title. Music by Sting "Desert Rose"

Agricultural Scholarships Develop Young Farmers

Beef + Lamb New Zealand and New Zealand Young Farmers are calling for applications for a unique agricultural scholarship.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand each year offer one New Zealand Young Farmer member the opportunity to receive the Five Nations Beef Alliance (FNBA) Young Ranchers Scholarship and foot it with other young ranchers from Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States at their annual conference.

"It’s a chance to gain valuable international connections to benefit New Zealand beef farming which is the driver for B+LNZ’s support and investment,” said Diane Falconer on the organisation’s behalf.

The FBNA is made up of national organisations from member countries that represent beef cattle producers. They meet to develop strategies and to ensure global beef trade increases. They realise the benefit of young people coming through the beef sector and have a dedicated component for those who understand and are passionate about the beef industry.

The conference is being held in Brisbane, Australia from 8 -13 September 2013 and applications close 31st July 2013.

There is a number of industry and educational scholarships on offer for young people in the agricultural sector, enabling them to further build on their skill base, personal development and leadership qualities.

The opportunity to further hone their skills in a particular area not only helps themselves but those around them as they transfer their knowledge and skills onto others in the industry. The benefits of these scholarships can identify individuals who may go on to be some of our key decision makers in the rural sector.

For our Young Farmers to stay in and ahead of the game they need to be constantly developing and that means taking up opportunities such as the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Young Rancher scholarship and the New Zealand Young Farmers study scholarships on offer.  These are available to help young rural people get ahead in their career and ultimately contribute to the future of New Zealand’s agriculture industry.

For more information surrounding agriculture scholarships visit the New Zealand Young Farmers website (www.youngfarmers.co.nz).

Credit: New Zealand Young Farmers Media Release

Jersey Cow Mafia Mugshots

 Caught on camera the two Jersey Mafia characters mentioned in my last blog post. I'm certain they had Murphy and his Laws backed up against the electric fence on that Friday when everything that could go wrong went wrong. On the good side of things the Horned Horror at last has returned to her owner. And well the garden looks like a nuclear bomb site. Mud, some stick things where there used to be plants of some description and well lots of jersey mafia calling cards. I'll be glad when this horrible winter is over and gone. Anyone seen Murphy around? I'm still lookin' for him....