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22/11/2022
Currently in his fourth and final year of a Bachelor of Rural Science (Honours) at Armidale’s University of New England, Jack Jansen already knows his future career path lies in agriculture.
And now, as a successful Rabo Tertiary Pathways Scholarship recipient, he has the opportunity to explore the myriad options a career in agriculture affords.
A childhood spent growing up on a small beef property in Camden, NSW, sparked a life-long passion for agriculture, particularly the cattle industry.
A gap year working on Vanrook Station, a 600,000 hectare station running 70,000 head of cattle in the Gulf of Carpentaria continued to fuel his interest. Later, Jack worked at Signature Beef, where he was involved in all facets of the vertically integrated beef operation.
“I was tasked with moving cattle in line with the operation’s rotational grazing program, cattle yard work, feedlot inductions, kill floor tasks such as splitting saw and shackling as well as yard building, it required a broad skillset and I am grateful to have had so many hands-on opportunities in the cattle industry,” Jack said.
He was able to gain further on-farm skills during holiday work at Nangandie Pastoral Company, a mixed farming operation near Manilla in NSW, where he was able to try his hand at everything from operating headers during harvest to wool classing during shearing.
“I have had the chance to expand my skillset over the years, in an industry I love, and I feel really fortunate to have had exposure to a wide variety of career options within the sector,” Jack said.
Now, the $15,000 scholarship enables him to further explore his career options.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity, which will help support me through my final year of University without the need for extra employment so I can focus 100 per cent on my career path.”
As part of the scholarship, Jack will also complete an internship at his local Armidale branch, and submit a research project, supported by Rabobank’s wealth of resources.
Jack’s research topic looks at the saleyard marketing method, if it is still relevant and whether refeeding cattle after saleyards can increase Meat Standards Australia (MSA) compliance. Jack will be closely mentored throughout his scholarship by Rabobank’s Scott Neilson.
“Scott has been so helpful, in fact all the staff have been very interested in my research project and have taught me how to use various tools, and offered services I need in relation to finding information on my research topic, which has been invaluable.”
With a keen interest in the livestock industry, particularly the beef cattle sector and red meat processing industry, Jack applied for the Rabo Tertiary Pathways Scholarship to further expand is exposure to agriculture.
“Rabobank is solely focussed on farming clients, and I’m curious to explore how I could work with, and support livestock producers, with a rural banking lens.”
“The opportunity to learn about the agricultural banking industry, which I haven’t had a lot of exposure to, and the careers within the sector, whilst working alongside one of the world’s leading rural agribusiness was an opportunity I couldn’t go past.”