Kirsty has experienced just about every aspect of the beef industry both in Australia and now overseas. She’s living in Canada with a view of the Rocky Mountains from her bedroom window, weather so cold it freezes everything in its path and a dream job, involving cows of course!
The girl from Inverell, NSW see’s opportunity in everything she does.
“I started TopTime Design to work with producers on creating social media platforms and videos for online auctions to gain greater value at the farm gate, this has grown into a new concept recently called CowNerdGirl,” said Kirsty.
“It is really a reflection of who I am as a science “why” person and trying to express all the things I have learned here in Canada mixed with making connections between the similarities and differences I see in agriculture!“
She lives in Airdrie, Alberta where she works for Quantum Genetix, a genomics laboratory based in Saskatchewan, Canada that is a leader in applying genetic technology in livestock and cropping management that drives efficiency, creates wealth and is simple to implement and use.
Kirsty admits the ability to work from home has been a great blessing and being able to be on the road visiting customers in her sales role. Promoting testing for both beef producers and farmers allows her to work on both sides of the agricultural industry.
“Quantum has designed a feedlot application (Q-sort) that helps feeders decide when to ship finished cattle. Allowing them to combine genetics to run sensitivity analysis that calculates when margin cost equals marginal gain,” said Kirsty.
“We also do a lot of disease testing in canola, soya beans, wheat and soil profiles. The business was founded by farmers who are also scientists so it’s been an amazing opportunity to join the team.”
Kirsty and her boyfriend came to Canada to have the “gap year” she never had. They left Australia in the middle of the drought when jobs were in short supply and there wasn’t much opportunity for growth. The move has turned into a great opportunity both professionally and personally.
“I get to be on the ranch with my boyfriend on the weekends and go to brandings with friends, it is calving season here so seeing new life is so nice in this crazy time.”