AIM HIGH, grab opportunities and don’t be afraid to fail.
That was the career advice from respected NSW sheep reproduction veterinarian Michelle Humphries to participants at the National Merino Challenge dinner
“I have learned that you don’t always get experience until after you need it, but the more you fail the quicker you gain experience,” she said.
Dr Humphries shared her 33 year journey from a graduate working with the company which pioneered laproscopic sheep artificial insemination, to two years later establishing Livestock Breeding Services at Jerilderie.
She still loved enhancing the genetic gain of sheep flocks across three states through embryo transfer and AI.
Dr Humphries, who is also a Merino breeder, said she found it gratifying seeing the progeny she had a hand in creating in the show ring or at sales.
“It is not the techniques themselves but the possibilities they present,” she said.
“Sheep breeders have access to genetics that would otherwise be unaccessible or unaffordable.”
She encouraged young people to do their jobs to the very best of their abilities, give good service to their clients and respect their work colleagues.
Networking regularly at industry events such as ram sales and field days was also critical to success and finding mentors to gain knowledge from.
“Forget your facebook – make contact with real people face to face,” she said.
She cautioned that they would encounter disappointments but things were rarely as bad as they seemed.
Last year she had her heart set on buying a property and Merino stud, but negotiations fell through.
To “pick herself up” she had found new opportunities, including being part of an emergency disease preparedness committee and getting involved in an AWI funded trial looking at sexing semen in sheep AI.
“There is only one way to stand still but many ways to move forward,” Dr Humphries told the audience.
“If you love doing what you are doing you will be successful.”
