IN MARKET TELLING OUR STORY INDUSTRY INSIDER X Putting producers first Here, Hayley talks to Feedbackabout her role. Q: Q: Why is your role What’s your favourite red important to the red meat dish? meat industry? I love any red meat I work with producers served according to the through research advisory MSA‑recommended cooking and peak industry councils method, which ensures it’s to ensure levies are being the best version of itself it invested in research, can be. But more specifically, development or adoption I love a good porterhouse projects which meet steak grilled to medium‑rare. members’ needs. The I never get sauce on the H ayley Robinson wears many hats: AFL tragic, regional consultation team steak as I think beef is best secret cross‑stitcher (just ask her about the also works closely with with just some salt and other areas of MLA’s on‑farm pepper – let the Australian time she took out Dalby Show’s handicraft productivity team to identify beef shine. section) and advocate for the perfectly cooked steak. areas of research that are As Program Manager – Consultation, Hayley (pictured) important to producers. Q: blends her background in beef production with an interest producers are getting the most out of MLA programs.in technology and supply chain innovation to make sure Q:When you’re not at work,where would we find “I grew up on a small cattle property and my parents have an What does a typical day you? artificial breeding business, so I’ve always been interested involve? I could be at an AFL game in the beef industry – especially genetics and reproduction,” As the name of my role (go Hawks!) or watching Hayley said. suggests, there’s a a game on TV while lot of consultation and cross‑stitching. My husband She studied a Bachelor of Science, majoring in genetics and collaborating. I work with and I have a small herd biochemistry. She planned on applying this to the cattle research advisory councils of cattle which we enjoy industry until her career trajectory changed in 2001 when she such as the Southern working with. was awarded the Angus Youth University of Illinois scholarship.Australia Livestock Research “I studied a range of topics in Illinois, including meat Council, Western Australian Q: technology, so I switched gears and applied my degree to Livestock Research Council meat science. and North Australia Beef What’s something we Research Council to don’t know about you? “My first job out of uni was with Genetic Solutions (now Zoetis),make sure they have the I lived and worked at a working with genetic technologies for meat quality traits – information and resources feedlot in regional Russia for talk about the perfect job.” they need to determine a couple of years. Hayley completed a PhD in innovation management, focused MLA’s investment priorities. on the beef industry, and has worked in Australia and Russia Hayley Robinson data flow.to develop supply chains and improve communication and Q: E: hrobinson@mla.com.au “When a role with Meat Standards Australia (MSA) came up in What do you love about your role? 2015, I was excited to work across the supply chain to drive It’s great to translate value in the industry and increase consumer satisfaction.” producer needs into areas of This year, Hayley moved into a new role with MLA’s regional research and report back to consultation team. producers with the outcomes of the investment. I enjoy “It’s a great opportunity to work with collaborating with different producers to help ensure the levy is teams across MLA to make sure producers get the most being invested in areas which are out of MLA programs. important to them.” ■ 46