ON FARM NATIONAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENTC Fine‑tuning skills Fast‑tracking an invaluable MLA has supported the 3. Support for new consultants network careers of 19 emerging As well as experienced industry livestock consultants professionals, MLA also supports the Tara Graetz was set on over the past five years, Livestock Consulting Internship program, becoming an agriculture and now two new programs are which is designed to equip emerging teacher before she opening up opportunities for livestock consultants with the practical took part in a university existing livestock professionals. skills and networks needed to accelerate work placement that their careers. introduced her to the world Here’s a look at the programs which The program is a partnership between of agribusiness consulting. form part of MLA’s strategy to ensure MLA Donor Company and participating producers can easily access expert consulting firms, managed by Tara (pictured) works for knowledge and advice relating to Meridian Agriculture. SA‑based consultancy Rural research outcomes: Directions and was part of 1. Livestock Advisor Updates MLA project manager Clara Bradford the second class of interns said the program was established to to complete MLA’s Livestock Livestock Advisor Updates are regionally help address the decline in public sector Consulting Internship program. relevant, one‑day technical workshops extension services, removing some of held Australia‑wide. The workshops help the financial and time‑constraint barriers Tara was studying agriculture at livestock advisors, leading producers and private firms face in training young staff Charles Sturt University, Wagga professional extension consultants to: and, as a result, boosting the number of Wagga, when she heard about • learn about the latest red meat researchnew livestock consultants. the program. and development issues “The interns already have technical “This program is invaluable • gain skills, tools and knowledge to skills in agricultural science or for anyone with an interest increase their value to clients agribusiness training. in developing their career as a consultant in the livestock • network with their peers. “By providing intensive training in the space,” Tara said. ThreeLivestock Advisor Updateswere ‘soft’ skills ofconsulting – communication, “It allowed me to build my skills deliveredtionship building, peoplerelaby MacquarieFranklin in and knowledge in consulting, as Brisbane,Sydney and Perth late last year.management and so on – and helping well as my network. interns establish networks, the program Extension professionals and producers, fast‑tracks their development.” “I now have great contacts within including representatives from MLA’s MLA and with the other interns RegionalConsultationgroups, helped Round 3 of the program begins and their employers. developthe programs to ensure content in February and includes a new wasrelevant and timely. secondment strategy designed to fill “To have established those skills gaps identified by participating networks and relationships Feedback from the first round of events employers. Interns will go to another on our own would have taken will be used to help build the 2020 business or organisation for four weeks years and years, but we were program, which will feature four updates to gain extra skills. ■ able to pack it into two.” ■ in regional locations. 2. Red meat Industry Professionals Leanne Sherriff Tara Graetz Program (RIPPer) E: lsherriff@macfrank.com.au E: tgraetz@ruraldirections. RIPPer, a new national pilot program, Ben Reeve com connects MLA‑funded research and E: breeve@meridian‑ag.com.au development outcomes (such as Mick Taylor information and tools) with the people E: mtaylor@mla.com.au who can use them to improve the Clara Bradford profitability and sustainability of red E: cbradford@mla.com.au meat businesses. Livestock advisors, agronomists, agents MLA professional development and extension officers contributed to programs: RIPPer through a survey to identify what Livestock Advisor Updates: they need to better service producers. mla.com.au/advisor-updates Livestock Consulting Internship: MLA will use this information to engage meridian-ag.com.au/lci3 with advisors, help boost their skills and mla.com.au/rural-professionals build their knowledge. 36