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17/11/2022
From a top-end station-hand, to an agri-corporate analyst, Sam Mac Smith has embraced every agricultural opportunity to come his way, amassing a wealth of agricultural experience during his burgeoning career.
And now this University of Sydney student has the opportunity to further increase his exposure to the industry thanks to a $15,000 Rabo Tertiary Pathways Scholarship.
Sixth generation to have grown up on the land, Sam is currently completing a Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) and Bachelor of Advanced Studies whilst leasing and managing the family’s prime lamb and cropping operation with his brother in Cudal, central west NSW.
The enterprising pair also recently purchased their own farm near Peak Hill to begin breeding prime lambs.
“I’m particularly interested in the red-meat industry, specifically prime lamb production, and am fascinated by new technologies and management methods achieving improve productivity and sustainability results, whilst minimising our impact on the environment that surrounds us,” Sam said.
Sam has worked extensively across a number of rural industries, spending a gap year after high school working as a station hand on “Miranda Downs” in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
He then completed an internship at Paraway Pastoral Company as a junior business analyst.
Sam has also spent time working at Warakirri Asset Management’s broadacre cropping property “Willaroo” at Goondiwindi, gaining further practical skills.
Passionate about a career in agriculture, Sam said he was inspired to apply for the Rabo Tertiary Pathways Scholarship for the very generous financially benefit, but more so for the opportunity to engage at an industry level.
“Being able to shadow Rabobank staff, learn valuable skills and have a first-hand insight into a potential career option with a bank dedicated to agriculture was extremely appealing, and I’m so grateful to have this opportunity,” Sam said.
As part of his scholarship, Sam was able to spend a day a fortnight in Rabobank’s Orange Branch, getting a feel for the workplace culture and accessing a wealth of knowledge in the meantime.
“As a bank with a sole focus on agriculture, the opportunity to engage at a client, industry and community level was genuine,” Sam said. “Whether it was going through a loan application or looking at budgets and forecasting, Matt Simshauser, Mark Harris and Emma Weal always ensured I was included.”
“I was able to work independently, creating excel spreadsheets on a variety of tasks such as creating cashflow budgets and forecasting, and thanks to their guidance I got a real feel for how the bank operates, what the goals and strategy are to help attract and retain customers, and how they go above and beyond supporting clients.”
“I went to a Rabobank evening at Forbes, where we heard RaboResearch analysts Angus Gidley-Baird and Cheryl Kalisch Gordon discuss the future market predictions first-hand, and there were a variety of events I could be involved in at a community level, such as The Sheep Young Gun Conference and the Rabo Client Council Financial Skills Workshop – the scope of a role with Rabobank stretches far beyond the office.”
As part of his scholarship, Sam will also complete a research topic, supported by Rabobank.
Matt Simshauser, from the Orange branch, was appointed Sam’s mentor throughout the project, which he explained was an extension of his honours project, investigating dual-purpose crops and the effects of grazing on weed-suppression.
“I’m excited by this project, particularly looking at the potential real benefits it may have to Rabobank clients and its practical implementation within their businesses,” Sam said.
“Dual-purpose cropping, whilst not a new system, has come a significantly long way in the past 10 years with increasing livestock commodity prices, and has been extremely beneficial to both livestock and crop producers giving exposure to other industries whilst reducing risk and enhancing productivity.”
“I believe the integration of various aspects from different industries can really enhance our productivity, and it’s something that’s definitely on my career radar.”
An extremely worthwhile scholarship – financially and personally – Sam said the Rabo Tertiary Pathways Scholarship was a fantastic chance to gain insight into the banking industry, whilst building key skills and an understanding of Rabobank’s functions and operations.
“The unique opportunity to meet specialised people in the industry is excellent, and being able to utilise those connections to build upon your own knowledge is invaluable, and something I believe will put me in great stead for my future career within the agricultural industry.”