“
There are so many career
opportunities for students and
young people in agriculture.
Dare to dream. You never know
what opportunities will present
themselves.
“
Growing up in Clifton, a small country
town on the Queensland Darling Downs, I
acquired a strong interest in agriculture at
high school. After completing a Bachelor
of Science (Animal Production) at the
University of Queensland Gatton Agricultural
College, I moved to the St Lucia Campus of
the university to undertake an honours year.
Economics & Business » Careers in Primary Industries
To remain a world leader in agricultural
growth and development, we need
economics and business professionals to
identify emerging markets, engage with
local, national and international customers,
trade commodities and conduct economic
analysis for industry.
»» Economists
»» Financial Officers
»» Business Analysts
»» International Engagement Officers.
A scholarship from the Sheep Cooperative
Research Centre (CRC) provided the
opportunity to pursue my PhD in animal
genetics at the University of New England.
After completing the PhD I continued work
with the Sheep CRC before starting at Charles
Sturt University as a lecturer in statistics and
agribusiness systems. During this period my
interest grew in international trade.
Over the page, see the story of
Fay Haynes, DPI Senior Project
Officer, International Engagement.
My role now is Senior Project Officer,
International Engagement with DPI, working
with agricultural industries to support
their activities for export and/or foreign
investment trade opportunities.
I provide technical research and
development expertise to the agriculture
industry to gain market access and
participate in international trade missions.
My portfolio includes horticulture, fibres and
animal genetics; while DPI team members
work with other industries.
I love my job as it requires interacting with a
huge range of people with similar interests
and career objectives, both within DPI, and
industry. It also provides an opportunity to
make a significant contribution to improving
the productivity of agriculture in Australia.
[email protected]
w w w. d p i . n s w. g o v. a u
There are endless employment opportunities
in our primary industries regardless of your
qualifications and experience. Likewise
a successful background working in our
primary industries sector can lead to many
other exciting and unexpected career
pathways.
My career started in the cotton industry
where I worked for a large cotton grower
and merchant. An interest in animal
nutrition led to a position with a beef
nutrition company, which involved working
with beef and dairy producers throughout
the country.
Economics and business careers with NSW
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) include:
Dr Fay Haynes
Senior Project Officer, International Engagement
“
Agriculture is more than it
appears. Science, technology,
research and development are
increasing demand for young,
innovative and forward thinking
people.
Research & Development » Careers in Primary Industries
There are endless employment opportunities
in our primary industries regardless of your
qualifications and experience. Likewise
a successful background working in our
primary industries sector can lead to many
other exciting and unexpected career
pathways.
Upon completion of my agronomy studies
I was employed by DPI as a project officer
on a Healthy Soils project before becoming
a Farming Systems Agronomist and then
a District Agronomist based in the Forbes
area. In these roles I developed practical
experience in crop agronomy, farm systems
management, relationship building and
stakeholder engagement which are integral
in my current position as a Research and
Development Agronomist.
R&D careers with NSW Department of
Primary Industries (DPI) include:
»» Soil Chemists
»» Entomologists
»» Research Scientists
»» Laboratory Technicians.
Over the page, see the story of
Col McMaster, R&D Agronomist,
DPI.
In this role, I work with industry to identify
limitations to crop productivity and
profitability and where improvements
can be made through hands-on cropping
trials and data collection. I work on a
variety of projects including researching
the impacts and implications of frost to
cropping systems, relationships between
profit and crop nutrition, variety-specific
agronomic packages and canola growth and
profitability. As part of each of these research
projects I prepare, develop and maintain
trial plots and collect data and statistics
throughout the trial periods. I then deliver
up-to-date research findings to farmers,
advisers and fellow scientists through
research reports, field days and conferences.
I love the rewarding relationships I build with
farmers and industry, as these relationships
are imperative to the future growth of
agriculture. I enjoy helping farmers with
their decision making while they provide me
with feedback and questions which often
influence our future research.
[email protected]
w w w. d p i . n s w. g o v. a u
Research and development (R&D) underpins
all aspects of food and fibre production.
The development of new concepts
and technologies ensure we remain a
productive, profitable and sustainable
industry.
“
Growing up on my family property west
of Parkes I have always had an interest in
agriculture. This interest led me to undertake
a Bachelor of Farm Management through
the University of Sydney. I then gained a
role with a soil consultant in Orange who
employed me while I studied a Bachelor of
Science (Agronomy) through Charles Sturt
University. The opportunity to study while
employed in the industry was great as I was
able to correlate my theoretical learning
with the practical and vice versa.
Col McMaster
Research & Development Agronomist
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SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 67 NO 4