A group of 18 Simmental Australia members and 6 Simmental NZ members and Peter Speers (tour leader) enjoyed a very successful tour to New Zealand in May. The Tour concentrated on the South Island, with visits to many stud herds and culminated in the Expo Show and Sale, Palmerston North (see separate Report).

Tour Participants were:

Simmental Australia Participants

Simmental NZ Participants

The Tour Group was privileged to visit the following 8 herds. Wonderful hospitality was extended by all host studs.
The opportunity was presented to view the breeding herds, replacement females and sale bulls.

The tour group was hosted by Simmental NZ, with a Welcome reception at Nelson and the Farewell Simmental Dinner at Expo. A special presentation was made to each participant of a fleecy jacket by Simmental NZ and major sponsor, ANCARE.

A highlight was the award presented to Simmental Australia Junior member, Genna Patterson, Bullock Hills Simmentals, Katanning, WA of the Simmental Expo Champion Handler Award by sponsor, Mark Stevens, Catapult Genetics. Jenna was undertaking a three week study/work tour in NZ as her award from the SA Junior Heifer Show.

The Tour group also enjoyed some wonderful scenery and special activities, including a visit to the Glow Worm Cave at Lake Te Anau, a Jet Boat ride on the Dart River, Glenormiston and a gondola ride at Queenstown.

The Trans Tasman Simmental program forged even closer ties beteen members in both countries during this tour.

Plans are underway for a NZ Member tour to Australia, possibly in 2009 and members from both countries to undertake the trip to World Congress in UK in 2008.

	The Tour Group visits Moneymore Simmentals, Nelson
	Craig Martin (right) explains the Moneymore stud breeding program
	Trans Tasman Select Sire, Moneymore Ninja at work
	The Moneymore Simmental team, Craig and Rosanna Martin and Denise and Richard Martin
	Alastair Midgley explains his Willowbrook Simmental breeding program
	The Group at Alastair and Jessica Midgley's Willowbrook stud
	John Paterson (centre), Ida Valley Simmentals with members of the group
	Chris and Peter Wenn discuss the Glenside Farm breeding program with principal, Garry McCorkingdale
	A group of Glenside Farm Simmental Sale Bulls
	A Group of Prospect Simmental heifers
	Prospect cow with a Woonallee Gladiator calf.
	The group surveys the view from the peak of MtProspect
	A group of Leafland Simmental Sale Bulls
	A group of Lone Pine Simmental breeders
	Simmental NZ President, Ross Cockburn and Joan Cockburn were great hosts throughout the tour
	The Group gear up for their Jet Boat ride
	Part of the group enjoy the jet boat ride on the Dart River
	David and Audrey Weightman, Topweeight Simmentals, Margaret River, WA enjoy the jet boat ride on the Dart River
	Simmental NZ President, Ross Cockburn (right) making a presentation to past President Craig Martin and Rosanna Martin.
	Genna Patterson receives the Champion Handler award from Mark Stevens, Catapult Genetics.