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Atherton State High Year 12 agricultural science students Eliza Bookall and Louise Gerard showcase the Moocall device with subject area coordinator Cameron Harris.
$1000
APPRENTICE BURSARY
Granite Masonic Lodge established in Mareeba in 1905 invites applications from first year apprentices who have completed grade 10, live in the Mareeba Shire and are employed by a business located in the Mareeba Shire. The successful applicant will receive a bursary to the value of $1000 each year on the successful completion of each year of contract for a period of four years. Application forms are available from the Express Newspaper Office at 186 Byrnes Street, Mareeba and close on Monday April 10th, 2017.
New device helping students with calving AN electronic device which sends a text message when a cow is about to give birth is making life a little easier for Atherton State High’s agricultural department. Agricultural science students have been gathering data from the device, known as “Moocall”, which is being used with the school’s Stud Murray Grey and Charbray cattle herds. Both herds are bred using artificial insemination. Subject area coordinator Cameron Harris said Moocall was part of a suite of new agricultural technologies his students had been learning about. “We try and include some of the new things that are coming onto the market to give kids that experience,” he said. “We’re also looking at some heat detectors which flash with an LED light to record whether the animals are on heat or not as well. “The future of agriculture is basically heading to-
wards new technologies, such as robotics and drone technology.” Moocall detects when a cow is about to give birth through tail activity, sending an SMS to a registered phone with about an hour’s notice before the calf is born. The device is ideal for heifers expecting their first calf or those cows who experienced problems with giving birth before. Mr Harris said student interest was strong in researching how technology can help the agricultural industry. “We’ve got a lot of kids going into veterinary science at university from doing our courses,” he said. Students collect data during a cow’s pregnancy, such as weight gains, stages of pregnancy and changes in body development. “They are also looking at picking genetics for the next crop of calves,” said Mr Harris.
‘Wall of hope’ gets underway MAREEBA LIVEWEIGHT CATTLE
MARKET REPORT PRIME QUOTES BUTCHER’S STEERS BUTCHER’S HEIFERS WHOLESALE COWS EXPORT SLAUGHTER BULLOCKS EXPORT SLAUGHTER COWS EXPORT SLAUGHTER BULLS
HIGHEST LOWEST 272.0 230.2 NO QUOTE 234.0 230.2 NO QUOTE NO QUOTE 265.2 155.0
STORE QUOTES STORE STEERS STORE HEIFERS COWS & CALVES - UNIT
HIGHEST 312.2 NO QUOTE NO QUOTE
ALL VENDORS PLEASE NOTE: TO ACHIEVE FULL COMPETITION ON YOUR CATTLE, MAKE SURE YOU ARE FULLY ACCREDITED WITH THE MLA AND HAVE A CURRENT NATIONAL VENDOR DECLARATION.
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PREFERRED AGENT at least BEFORE 8AM MONDAY WHEN CONSIDERING YOUR CATTLE
• ELDERS 4086 3500 • • LANDMARK 4092 3711 • • QUEENSLAND RURAL 4092 3522 • NQ SALEYARDS COMPANY PTY LTD - PHONE 4092 1228 MARKET SALE EVERY TUESDAY 9AM @ MAREEBA SALEYARD PAGE 4 The Express, Wednesday, April 5, 2017
A COMMERMORATIVE wall which raised money for Cancer Council Queensland (CCQ) has finally begun construction at Mareeba’s Centenary Park. First proposed by local woman Vilma Moriconi in 2013, the “Wall of Hope” offered donors the chance to purchase a brick for $50, which could be inscribed with up to four names and would be added to the final structure. Cancer Council Queensland North Queensland volunteer partnerships coordinator Tina Dobb said the project was now “full steam ahead” with fencing erected around the wall site in preparation for foundations to be laid. “There’s been a number of different hurdles to the wall and we’re just all very happy that it’s going ahead,” she said. “The bricks were purchased by a variety of people, such as those who wanted to recognise people who had passed away from cancer, people that were currently undergoing treatment and representatives of companies in the area that are supporting those going through their cancer journey.” Mrs Dobb said the money donated by locals to the wall was given to CCQ to continue providing services to the community. A timeframe as to when construction of the wall will be complete is still unknown. “I’d imagine it would be done fairly quickly and preparations are already being made for an opening,” Mrs Dobb said. “I suppose the wall is a symbol for the community to reflect upon and hope for a cancer-free future.”
Construction of the “Wall of Hope”, which supports cancer sufferers and victims, has finally started at Centenary Park.
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