ENTHUSIASM, interest and an affinity for country life has seen two young graduates jump at the chance to work with the state’s producers through positions with PIRSA.
For Claire Dennerley, packing her bags and moving from Sydney to Struan for “the best job in Australia” was an easy choice, and a chance to be the country girl she longed to be.
Equipped with a degree in soil science, Ms Dennerley has been working as a sustainable agriculture consultant for PIRSA Rural Solutions for nine months, helping farmers come up with solutions to drive their productivity.
One of the first projects Claire worked on concerned the effect oestrogenic clover has on sheep fertility and a ewe’s ability to lamb.
“In the 1970s there was research done that uncovered the presence of oestrogenic clover across the state, from Kangaroo Island to the Eyre Peninsula and down here in the South East as well,” Ms Dennerley said.
She said much of the work on oestrogenic clover seemed to have fallen to the wayside since the 1970s, but more recent research showed 85 per cent of producers still had the clover present on their properties.
“It was a real learning experience for me, because I was new to the SE and hadn’t heard of oestrogenic clover, so I went out and did some identification of the four different types.
“The information will be beneficial for the next generation of producers to know that fertility problems in ewes can be mitigated if we know the presence of that clover.”
Learning more about the livestock sector is a top priority for Ms Dennerley.
Being based on a research farm with a commercial herd and flock has provided a great learning tool, as has talking to her fellow researchers about new projects such as sheep ‘Fitbits’ and feed utilisation.
She has been impressed with the “thirst for knowledge” livestock producers have to improve their operations.
“To see the enthusiasm and forward thinking of producers is really encouraging and I’ve found that they don’t want to be selfish about keeping knowledge to themselves, which is really helpful,” she said.
As part of her work with PIRSA, she will also be speaking about the SA wool industry at the Royal Adelaide Show.
Another PIRSA newcomer to find herself in Struan is Jessica Van de Weyer, working as a veterinarian and animal health officer for Biosecurity SA.
Born and bred in Adelaide, Dr Van de Weyer completed an animal science degree at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy Campus before moving to Wagga Wagga, NSW, to get her veterinary degree and fulfill her passion of working with large animals.
Dr Van de Weyer started as an animal health officer with PIRSA in January and her main role covers disease surveillance in the SE, investigating outbreaks and liaising with private vets and farmers on a range of animal issues.
“I am called up when there is a disease outbreak, an uncertain diagnosis, or a notifiable disease, and also do a bit of work with abattoir surveillance, such as with johnes disease,” Dr Van de Weyer said.
She is also involved with the National Significant Disease Investigation Program, where data about diseases of national significance is collected.
“I have been to the saleyards a few times, just to get out there and chat to the agents and see what stock is in the markets and I receive a lot of phone calls, whether it be from producers, agents, private vets, or other staff just giving veterinary technical advice on animal health,” she said.
Another aspect of her job is education, keeping farmers up-to- date with information on various topics such as ram health, lambing, or biosecurity.
“I’ve put together a ram health presentation and I go out and have a bit of a chat to farmers about things I think are important, but to also show them who I am, and that I’m in the area and available should they ever need,” she said.
Dr Van de Weyer has moved to Penola for the “country town feeling”, and enjoys being outdoors and working with livestock.
“It’s not just what you can do from a clinic, it’s looking at the whole farm and being out and meeting the farmers,” she said.
“I enjoy the large animal work and fieldwork, so I guess I’ve found where I want to be, getting to be involved in disease surveillance and disease investigation.”
