An ambitious student from the University of Adelaide Roseworthy Campus has his sights set on making a career in the Beef Industry.
Jake Phillips, 20, a 3rd Year Bachelor of Agriculture student has spent the past eight years working in the beef industry, since 2005 his own contracting business has specialized in show preparation and beef cattle husbandry. In recent years Jake’s business, JP Contracting, has helped his clients to considerable success in the show and sale ring.
Jakes efforts have been honored recently at the Channel 9 young achiever of the year awards, Jake was placed semi finalist in the Regional Initiative award in the 2010 awards. Jakes acknowledgements also include the 2010 Murray Grey Youth National Ambassador and the runner up in the SEMEX/MSU Angus society scholarship.
“It is such a great opportunity to be able to travel interstate and see so many different sides to the Australian Beef Industry” Jake said.
“ I feel so privileged to have my efforts acknowleged”
“The Beef Industry is full of opportunities for young people to get in and have a go” says Jake, the 2010 Murray Grey Youth President.
“My studies at Roseworthy and my dealings with producers across Southern Australia are complementing each other well at the moment” says Jake, the 2008 Senior Champion Herdsman at the South Australian Junior Heifer Expo.
“ The support that I have received from many members of the Beef Industry has been vital in the opportunities I have experienced”
Jake who grew up in the suburb of Torrensville, Adelaide, said his “passion for beef cattle must be genetic”. Jake started his education at Urrbrae High School before commencing his degree at the University of Adelaide in 2006. Jake deffered his studies in 2009 after taking out top prize at the South Australian Junior Heifer Expo, winning a study scholarship to North America for 5 months.
“My time in the US was amazing, I think there is a lot we can learn from the Americans, but there is also a lot we can teach” said Jake.
“I feel so privileged to be a steward of the Australian Beef Industry, learning from some of the old masters”.
“It is so exciting to see so many young people coming through with an interest in beef” Says Jake.
Jake along with Darren Koopman is also the student Co-coordinator of the Roseworthy Cattle Show team and says “I have enjoyed working with students of different backgrounds from all across Australia”.
Roseworthy College are preparing 13 steers for the Bendigo, Royal Adelaide and Royal Melbourne show this year.
“We have been fortunate to receive great support from industry leaders, such as compass feeds” says Jake
“We have handpicked a competitive group of mixed breed steers this year and all the students are looking forward to exhibiting them in the spring show season” says Jake, Coordinator of this years activities.
Upon finishing his bachelor of Agriculture Jake would like to work as a breeding program consultant and says “Id love to be able to take a teaching role of some description in the near future”.
