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It has been a big couple of years for 25-year-old Millie Moore.
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Not only has she been awarded two Angus Australia scholarships, but she has embarked on an adventure of a lifetime, now living and working in Canada.
Ms Moore is this year’s recipient of the University of Illinois scholarship, described by Angus Australia, as one of the most industry relevant scholarships on offer to members.
The scholarship will see her spend the first semester of 2025 attending the university, and participating in its livestock and meat judging teams, as well as living on-campus and attending various competitions and training events across the United States.
Haling from a small hobby farm on the Fleurieu Peninsula, in South Australia, Ms Moore has always been passionate about agriculture, growing up in a Thoroughbred racing family.
“I have developed a love of the beef industry throughout my life, and this led to me attending Urrbrae Agricultural High School, before commencing my Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences,” she said.
“After graduating in 2019, I began my career in pasture agronomy seed sales, working across beef, sheep, viticulture, horticulture and mixed operations. This role combined my love of animal nutrition with working with producers to problem solve, aiming to improve grass-fed operations across South Australia.”
In 2023, Ms Moore was awarded an Australian Beef Industry Foundation scholarship to attend the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program, helping to develop her leadership skills and highlighting her love of supporting others in the industry, particularly youth.
“This was followed by a trip to North America, where I visited agricultural colleges, Angus operations and farms, learning more about the global Angus industry and the encouragement of youth in ag through programs such as 4-H,” she said.
“Upon arriving home, I attended the Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) competition as a coach, and was reminded of the message ‘teaching is learning twice’.
“My year was completed with an Angus Youth scholarship to attend the Tocal Beef Assessment School, improving my assessment skills, looking at meeting specific markets and the importance of identifying goals for your operation.”
After a whirlwind year, Ms Moore made the decision to return to one of the operations she visited in Canada; Cudlobe Angus, in 2024, to gain more hands-on experience in the Angus industry.
“Here, I am working within their purebred operation, focused on carcase traits, which is reflected in their Certified Angus Beef meat business. I love working hands-on, from silage and harvest, to weaning, sale prep, marketing, and more.”
Although not from an Angus background, the breed has always been present during Ms Moore’s journey into the beef industry. “From my grandpa sharing stories of the Angus cattle he once managed, to seeing them become more prominent in the show ring during my time at school, the impact of the Angus breed became clear to me as I progressed through university, seeing the dedication to the development of our overall beef industry, through extensive research involvement and continued improvement,” she said.
“During my school years, I completed numerous industry placements which showed me that the beef industry is where I wanted to be. This continued into university, where I completed industry placements as well as undertaking subjects across animal nutrition, genetics reproduction, along with agronomy. I also participated in the SA Junior Heifer Expo, and was a member of the University of Adelaide Meat Judging Team, attending the ICMJ competition in 2019. As a highlight of my time at university, I then went on to coach this team in 2023 and 2024.”
My curiosity about beef production, from paddock to plate, and continued love of learning encouraged me to apply for this scholarship.
Also becoming an MLA Red Meat Ambassador in 2022, Ms Moore said this opportunity gave her a greater appreciation for sharing the Australian beef story, and she developed a strong passion for extension, communication and marketing.
“The Angus breed has always been so welcoming; offering educational opportunities, scholarships (such as this one!) and the acceptance of all breeds, showcasing how Angus has a place throughout all operations.
“I have also found community in the breed; through people like Pathfinder Angus, offering to show me the ropes and letting me help out to get my cattle fix, or in my current role in Canada.
“The University of Illinois scholarship is a unique opportunity; not only having the chance to select from a diverse range of subjects, but also travelling with the livestock or meat judging teams, experiencing more of the US and gaining a greater understanding of the industry as a whole. Since competing in the ICMJ competition and meeting the US teams who attend, I have been fascinated by the education in the US, where meat science is a core part of many curriculums and agricultural majors are offered across all areas.
“I want to learn more about global developments in beef production, how to share our stories and how youth are being encouraged into agricultural careers. My curiosity about beef production, from paddock to plate, and continued love of learning encouraged me to apply for this scholarship.
“The US industry is vastly different to our own, with a much larger proportion of cattle finished in feedlots, and a higher domestic consumption of meat.”
Ms Moore would like to to say a massive thank-you to the Angus Foundation, University of Illinois and all those who have supported her along this journey.
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