University of Western Australia graduate Emma Downsborough has taken out the highest award at the Young Professionals in Agriculture Forum.
The event highlights the work of young professionals in WA agriculture and natural resources management and is hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Food and Ag Institute Australia (WA Division).
Department director general Rob Delane said the outstanding work carried out by the six tertiary graduates indicated a high standard of young professionals entering the agriculture and natural resources sectors.
“The agriculture and food sector provides exciting opportunities for such talented and motivated graduates,” Mr Delane said.
“The diverse range of careers in the sector for talented young professionals is expected to increase with the ever-growing global demand for food, and the sector in Western Australia is bound to benefit from the contribution of such outstanding graduates.”
The annual Young Professionals in Agriculture Awards recognise the work of tertiary students who have completed an undergraduate degree and are studying agriculture-related subjects at Western Australian universities. Finalists are required to submit a research paper and deliver a presentation.
Ms Downsborough, who is from a farm at Burracoppin and moved to Perth to study Agricultural Science and Commerce at UWA, achieved the top award for her work on consumer preferences and willingness to pay for local food products.
Caris Jones, from a wheat and sheep farm near Dowerin, was awarded for her work on feed-use efficiency and its impact on the fertility of Merino ewe lambs. She was also recognised for delivering the best presentation of the day.
Third prize went to Chloe Bairstow, who grew up on the family farm in Lake Grace, for her work on lamb production.
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