Contributed by Joel Loxton

Last Monday saw the Timaru Boys’ High School Young Farmers' group comprising of boys from Years 9 to 13 take hold of the opportunity to visit the Silver Fern Farms meatworks at Pareora. 

The boys learned much valuable information and were enlightened as to job opportunities found at the meatworks - from deboning to packing. During the tour, the group went through and visited the large animal processing department (LAPD / Beef cows) and the small animal processing department (SAPD / First-year bobby cows).

A quote from one of the boys which I overheard was “It was pretty eye-opening, seeing the process, to get from paddock to plate all within a couple of days”.

We would like to extend a thank you from the Timaru Boys’ High School Young Farmers group to the staff at Silver Fern Farms for taking time away from their busy days to lead us around and give us inside information on the plant and its workings.

The group is hoping to have more trips around South Canterbury in the following months; this will be discussed within the group so stay sharp boys.