“My father, Rob, who has extensive industry knowledge to share and is great to discuss ideas with, inspires me.”
-Jack
Meet Jack, an 18-year-old Agriculture student who is also the co- founder of Mt Eccles Angus Stud. Alongside of his parents Rob and Katherine recently celebrated the inaugural on farm Bull sale for Mt Eccles Angus of Byaduk.
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Based at Byaduk, Vic, The Addinsall’s have been buying and selling cattle for the past 30 years, with the aim to produce strong lines of cattle with great temperaments, huge weight gain and meet demands of current market.
Experiencing a need for top quality bulls at reasonable prices as hard to source, In 2020 Rob, Katherine and Jack established Mt Eccles Angus and that year calved down their first stud calves. 2024 saw the first on farm bull sale on the 20th September.
Growing up on the family farm with his parents, Rob and Katherine, and his sister Zoe, agriculture has always been a significant part of his life. Today, Jack actively works alongside his family while also gaining experience by working for other farmers and contractors in the area.
Jack’s journey in agriculture took a formal turn when he enrolled at RIST (Rural Industry Skills Training). He has completed Certificates II and III in Agriculture and is currently pursuing his Certificate IV in Agriculture through RIST. He chose RIST based on positive reviews from the local farming community, eager to enhance his skills while still in school.
In 2020, Jack and his family founded their Angus stud, Mt Eccles Angus, after purchasing PTIC cows and welcoming their first calves. The motivation behind starting the stud was to breed cattle that met their specific genetic interests, allowing for greater control over desired traits. Jack’s passion for breeding figures and bloodlines in the Angus breed drives this endeavor.
At Mt Eccles Angus, the family prioritizes the docility of their cattle, good growth, and ease of calving, focusing on sourcing the best genetics from the very beginning. Their goal is to establish their name in the industry while continually improving their cattle’s genetics, especially regarding growth rates, docility, and calving ease.
Jack draws inspiration from his father, whose extensive industry knowledge has been invaluable. He also looks up to Maurice Thomas for his insights and guidance. Throughout his time at RIST, Jack has gained numerous skills that have improved his efficiency in various tasks, enhancing his overall knowledge base.
For any young person considering studying agriculture at RIST, Jack’s advice is simple: ask lots of questions and keep an open mind. RIST is not just about learning; it’s also a fantastic opportunity to make friends who share a passion for agriculture.
Lastly, Jack encourages anyone to give studying Agriculture a try. Investing time in education to improve your skillset or learn new things is definitely worth it. Together, they can build a stronger future for agriculture!
Photo: RIST Certificate III program coordinator Tamara Hardy (R) headed down the road to Byaduk for the Inaugural Mt Eccles Angus Bull Sale. Aside of it being an inaugural sale, this event was made more special knowing one of our students was a co- principal of the Angus stud! Tam is here pictured with L-R: Dale Mibus ( Cert IV student ) Jack Addinsall ( Cert IV student ) Rob Addinsall ( Stud Principal ) Tamara Hardy ( RIST )