An inspiring young agricultural figure, Kate Power believes there is significant potential for the future of young farmers, graziers and rural communities and thinks there should be more sustainable agricultural learning programs in schools.
The 29-year-old is the livestock operations and development manager for Kilcoy Global Foods.
“As a young person in agriculture, we cannot underestimate the importance of our network,” Kate said.
“Finding and establishing mentoring and professional relationships are so incredibly beneficial to our development and I am thankful for mine every single day, and now I find myself in the position where I can start being that mentor for young people stepping into the industry.
“Our farming population is aging, and there is a growing population of children who have no concept of where their food and fiber come from.
“It is astounding to me that agriculture is not a highly supported subject in schools.
“I myself was asked to turn away and focus my attention elsewhere during my senior year of schooling.
“Anything I can possibly do to help change that narrative, I will be doing.”
Kate and her partner Ratu have consistently been involved in the rural life, as Kate grew up on a now sold 100-acre family hobby farm near Maryborough and Ratu from his family farm in Fiji.
“We had a herd of 20 to 30 head which was dad’s hobby and outlet, selling weaners directly off cows, which I was generally forced to help out with,” said Kate.
Apart from her horse riding expeditions, Kate didn’t particularly immerse herself in ‘life on the farm’ during her younger years.
As she matured, her passion for the industry flourished after one of her favourite teachers pointed her onto the agricultural pathway.
“The thing I enjoy the most about agriculture is that it’s the greatest industry in the world,” she said.
“I think there is currently a lot of vision in agriculture and we are using science and technology, mixed with tradition, to find a way to feed an ever growing world, and I think that’s something really exciting to be a part of.”
Kate’s journey began in 2011 after graduating high school when she started to work in the Stockyards at Nolan Meats.
Shortly after she found herself in a Kill Clerk role where she learned to process daily kills, send feedback, organise costings, check carcass grading, etc.
Kate decided to enroll in a Bachelor of Agriculture with an Animal Production major which she completed part-time whilst also working full-time at Nolan Meats and was soon promoted to the livestock coordinator in 2014.
In 2017, Kate moved her work to Saxby Feedlot, conducting both hands-on and admin work.
“This was one of the most challenging roles, if not the most challenging that I’ve ever had,” said Kate.
“The hands-on aspect of the role was what I was really looking for, and the amount of knowledge I accumulated at Saxby has absolutely been one of the key drivers of my success over the past five years.
“It also gave me a whole other level of appreciation for those in our feed lotting and pastoral sectors.”
A year later (2018), Kate found herself working at Kilcoy Global Foods as the livestock supplier liaison officer, and three years after, she was named the livestock operations manager.
During this time, she applied for the Graeme Acton Beef Connections one year program which runs in conjunction with Beef Australia, supplying professional development for young people in the industry.
“My relationships with my mentors Julie McDonald and the facilitator Barbara Bishop were truly life changing for me,” she said.
“They are both women who I still have wonderful relationships with, and they both truly inspire me, and I honestly am just so thankful to have them both as a part of my journey.”
The Graeme Acton Beef Connections program then led to her current position as well as being a committee member of the International Committee and Carcase Competition Committee for Beef Australia 2024, appointed in early 2023.
The young Australian’s main focus in her present role is the development of processes, procedures, people and systems, with animal welfare to be one of her key focus points.
Kate thanks her mentors and explains her dedication towards herself and the industry.
“A special mention to some of the most influential people in my life and career, Liz Carter, Terry Nolan, Barb Bishop, Julie McDonald, Jackie Kyte and Nigel Adler,” she said.
“I have spent the last decade working incredibly hard to get myself into the position I am in today, and I am finally in a space where I’m happy to just soak it all up, learn as much as I can, and just settle for the moment.
“I can’t imagine myself doing anything differently now and can still see a strong future ahead for me in the industry.”
