Libby is headed ‘Stateside’
Angus Australia is pleased to announce that the 2023 Kansas State University Scholarship has been awarded to Victorian Libby Falkiner.
Supported by the Angus Foundation, the Kansas State University Scholarship is designed to allow a young beef cattle enthusiast the chance to study at one of the best agricultural universities in the USA.
Libby will become the seventh recipient of the scholarship, and the first since 2019. As part of her scholarship experience, Libby will spend a semester abroad attending Kansas State (K State) and in addition to experiencing a tailored on-campus study program and quintessential college events, will have the opportunity to experience parts of the US beef supply chain from leading seedstock operations, cow calf operations, through to feedlots and the end supply chain.
With beef cattle the key focus at K State, Libby will experience the university’s seedstock and commercial herd, feedlot, feed mill, brilliant teaching facilities and staff, and will assist in K States seedstock bull sale, working alongside other students in all aspects of the sale.
Angus Australia Extension Manager Jake Phillips looks forward to having Libby represent Angus Australia internationally, following her selection from a number of standout applicants.
“We received great support for this year’s scholarship, following its absence from our program for a number of years. Through this application process, we are very encouraged for the future of the beef industry to have such high caliber people wanting to continue their personal and professional development,” said Jake.
“We are incredibly proud to award this scholarship to Libby and pleased to have her representing Angus Australia at K State. Libby has displayed a keen interest in expanding her knowledge and learning within the beef industry and investigating this on an international level.
“I look forward to keeping up with Libby once she commences her time abroad and seeing what she takes from her time experiencing all of what K State and United States beef industry more broadly has to offer. We thank the staff at Kansas State University led by Dr Dan Moser, long-time friend and partner of Angus Australia, for assisting in the making this opportunity available.”
As for recipient Libby, she is incredibly excited to head off to K State in the New Year.
“The scholarship has been on my radar for many years, and I was incredibly excited to hear about its post pandemic revival!” she said.
“Since opening its doors in 1863, Kansas State University has cemented itself as one of America’s finest agricultural schools and I’m keen to explore the methodology that leads to the development of such motivated, curious and balanced ag enthusiasts.
“It was also super exciting to chat with Jake Phillips and Dan Moser about the potential ways as a successful recipient I can form stronger connections between the Australian and American Angus Societies through research and networking.”
She continued, “It’s not often as a student that you have the capacity to develop such a tailored academic program, the significance of these unique circumstances is not lost on me!
“I am looking forward to wholeheartedly embracing life in Manhattan and aspire to capitalize on opportunities both in and out of the classroom. The contacts this scholarship provides opens so many doors.
“To think I will be able to visit studs and see some sires in the flesh that I’ve previously chatted with my Dad about over sale catalogues and EBV data is a super exciting prospect.”
To keep up to date with Libby’s K State journey, tune into the Angus Youth social media pages in 2024! Following the completion of her scholarship experience, a report of Libby’s time abroad will be shared on the Angus Australia website.
About Libby:
Libby Falkiner grew up in South-western Victoria on a mixed farm featuring an Angus Seedstock operation. Her upbring provided a brilliant introduction to the many aspects of cattle breeding and farm life and has ultimately inspired her to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine with a key focus on large animals.
Now in her fourth year of Vet at CSU in Wagga, Libby has become increasingly aware of the need to build upon the experience she gained through her rural upbringing and expand her skills around the broader aspects of beef production. She aspires to one day to work alongside farmers in a veterinary role that delivers a more complete service to the rural community she enters.
Libby hopes through her experiences in the States that she is able to develop a stronger understanding of the global food supply chain and how best use her experiences and tertiary education to serve our resilient rural communities back home on Aussie soil.
