AWN Growing up on a sheep property in the New England area of Northern NSW, Cassie Baile always knew that she wanted to work with sheep.
Starting out working as a rouseabout and wool classer, Cassie then gained a place on a traineeship program before being offered a role as a wool technical officer, based at the Sydney wool selling centre. In 2015, Cassie was offered a position with AWN as a sheep and wool specialist and relocated to Goulburn NSW.
Cassie says that the skills she has gained from experience and learnt from industry mentors has played a key role in developing her career path within the agriculture industry.
“The role incorporates a number of important skills, learnt over time and also through the guidance of fellow employees,” Cassie says.
“I truly enjoy playing a role in each clients’ sheep production and overall business and the connection which we make with every client who trusts us to care for them and their business.”
Since joining the industry ten years ago, Cassie says that she has seen many changes in what is often seen as a “traditional industry”.
“Technological and genetic advances throughout all stages of sheep production and the use of wool, have resulted in a high quality of data and information to be made available to breeders and producers alike.
“This has created many more opportunities for sheep and wool producers to further their genetic and monetary gain throughout their enterprises. Over the past few years, the importance of ASBV’s (Australian Sheep Breeding Values) have also continued to play a major role in advancing production and breeding traits to the whole sheep industry.”
Cassie’s excited to see more and more women looking to pursue a career in agriculture.
“To any woman considering or wishing to pursue a career in the agricultural industry, I say go for it! No matter where your passion lies, there is an incredible amount of opportunity and a number of paths encompassed within agriculture. There are so many people involved within the industry who want to assist and support others to further their skills, knowledge and shared passion. If you are able to connect with someone who can assist and mentor you towards your desired path, that is a very important first step.”
