Beefing up Networks and Knowledge

January 10, 2008

University of New England Bachelor of Agriculture graduate Danae Reed will find herself rubbing shoulders with international heavyweights from the beef industry after winning a travel fellowship to the 2008 International Livestock Congress in the USA.

Ms Reed won a highly coveted International Stockmen’s Educational Foundation Travel Fellowship, which will see her travel to Denver Colorado for the Congress beginning on 15 January. She was selected by a multi-national selection committee for her scholastic achievement, leadership and letters of recommendation, and is one of only 12 students representing 11 universities from three countries (Australia, Brazil and the United States) to be given the honour.

Ms Reed entered the Department of Primary Industries Victoria Graduate Program after completing her Bachelor of Agricultural Science degree at UNE. She now works for the Victorian DPI in Hamilton as a Beef Officer and has completed a Graduate Certificate in Rural Systems Management from the University of Queensland.

“This experience has allowed me to expand my technical knowledge and networks in the southern beef industry and played a major part in my selection for the fellowship as I work directly with beef producers,” Ms Reed said. “I will now be in a position to pass on the skills and knowledge I gain at the congress to the producers I work with.”

The Denver congress, endorsed by the International Livestock Congress, brings together producers, retailers, packers and others in the industry supply chain to help build global beef networks and focus on the emerging issues facing the beef industry from an international perspective.

Ms Reed said the congress will not only expand her networks, but also allow her to see first hand how other countries are dealing with the effects of climate change on the beef industry in the hope that some of the methods will be worth trialling in Victoria. As part of her fellowship she will also be required to write a professional paper to be submitted to the International Stockmen’s Educational Foundation Board for publication in the event proceedings.

Ms Reed says three aspects of UNE helped her get where she is: the college system and the networks she formed there; the highly respected, passionate and approachable teachers, and the rural setting that allowed for extensive practical experience in a safe learning environment.

“UNE graduates are highly valued because of our networking and organisational skills and technical knowledge. There are no less than seven recent graduates working for the DPI, Victoria,” she said.

Posted by Alex Dunn at January 10, 2008 05:19 PM