PROFILE OF A DAIRY RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Andrea grew up in a Victorian country region where her family had a small thoroughbred horse stud. While at school, Andrea completed a Certificate II Stablehands and Trackriders course.

After finishing school, she decided to study agriculture specialising in animal nutrition at Dookie College, University of Melbourne. Andrea decided to study agriculture as it offered the opportunity to work with animals outdoors.

For the work placement during her study, Andrea worked with a horse trainer at Flemington. She had ideas of becoming a part time trainer and wanted to get some experience and contacts in the racing world.

After graduation in 1999, Andrea accepted a role with Ausfeed, a company specialising in feed supplies for the dairy industry in SW Victoria. Andrea enjoyed the interaction and communication with dairy farmers and industry personnel and considers those activities to be the most rewarding part of the job.

Andrea feels the future of the dairy industry is optimistic and there is opportunity for a well educated farmer focused on production efficiencies to further build the industry.

In 2001 Andrea took up a position as Dairy Research Assistant at Glenormiston College, University of Melbourne. This role involves the collection and analysing data from field experiments related to pasture technology. Andrea works across 3 different field sites with this work helping research staff in their projects.