Name: Jo-Anne
Role Title: Animal Nutritionist & Feed Quality Analyser
Location: Heiferlink (Shepparton) and Agrilink Feed Services

Description of work undertaken: Jo-Anne completes a variety of tasks while working at both organisations. She regularly consults with dairy farmers on nutrition requirements for heifers and administers health treatments. She also involved in the marketing of the Heiferlink Service. In addition, Jo-Anne analyses feed at producers' properties by testing various samples. She also is involved in the marketing of hay and regularly consults dairy farmers on milking cow feed requirements.

Jo-Anne analyses feed at producers' properties by testing feed samples

Team and / or individual role / responsibilities:
Jo-Anne's individual role involves all components relating to marketing, analysing and consulting in her field of Animal Nutrition.

Future?
Jo-Anne hopes to complete a Masters in Ruminant Nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Grew up where? Jo-Anne grew up in Kilmore on an Angus Beef property and she regularly helped out on the farm. In secondary school, Jo-Anne hoped to pursue a career in Veterinary Science, however she said that the VCE score needed for course entry was very high and she missed out.

Course(s) studied: Tertiary /post secondary:
Jo-Anne completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture)

Secondary:
Jo-Anne says that her secondary school course was not planned particularly for her university course. Her VCE subjects included English, Maths, Biology and Accounting with Biology most helpful for her University course. Jo-Anne believes that students wishing to complete a science degree should do Chemistry as she did not do it at school and found the chemistry aspects of her course difficult.

Work experience:
Jo-Anne completed industry placement with her current employers during third year at University, (Heiferlink and Agrilink). Before Jo-Anne went to Uni she was an office clerk for three years.

OPPORTUNITIES:
Further study:
Jo-Anne believes that there is a greater opportunity to do her Masters in Agriculture (Ruminant Nutrition) now that she has full time employment with more prospects for funding and research.

Learning on job, new skills, etc.
Jo-Anne says she has developed many more skills in her new career, including Extension work - consulting with farmers (mainly dairy producers), health aspects of growing heifers, administration - invoicing etc., and information technology skills.

Travel, etc.
Jo-Anne travels locally in the Goulburn Valley area and occasionally throughout Victoria and southern NSW.

ADVICE TO STUDENTS NOW:
students up to Year 10
Students should think about things they like, eg. agriculture, animals, woodwork etc. and choose appropriate subjects which will benefit them in the future.

VCE students
Jo-Anne suggests that students at VCE level should start thinking about what they intend to do in the future. Students need to research courses that appeal to them and work out the pre-requisite subjects required for entry.

Tertiary students
Work experience is very important in order to make contacts and become known in the industry. Jo-Anne also suggests that being involved in an interest group, association or clubs generate useful contacts.

OTHER:
What careers have other graduates from your course entered?
Field Officers, Animal Nutritionists, Agronomists, Farm Managers, Dairy Farmers, Agricultural Journalists.