06/04/2026
Happy Easter! as we celebrate new beginnings and hopes for the year to come, we are excited to announce our TransTasman Scholarship winner Kirsten Devery ⭐️
A bit about Kirsten:
I’m Kirsten Devery, and I’m proud to have been selected as the 2026 TransTasman Exchange Scholarship recipient.
I grew up on my family’s farm in Southland and have always had a strong passion for the beef industry, particularly Angus cattle through our stud, Pikoburn Angus. I’ve developed a real interest in genetics, breeding decisions, and building functional, efficient maternal cow herds that perform in different environments.
For me, this opportunity is as much about the people as it is the cattle. I’m really looking forward to building strong connections with breeders, industry leaders, and others within the Australian beef sector. Learning directly from people working in different systems and environments will give me a much broader understanding of how the Angus breed is performing and evolving globally.
I’m excited to work alongside leading stud operations and see how they use data, technology, and meat grading systems. I see this as a chance to expand my thinking, open future career pathways, and gain knowledge that I can apply both on-farm and within the wider industry.
Attending the 2025 World Angus Forum in Australia was a huge turning point for me. Being part of such a global event and competing alongside like-minded young people from around the world really opened my eyes to the scale of the Angus industry and the opportunities that exist within it. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and gave me confidence in my own abilities.
The experience made me realise that this is something I want to pursue long-term. Seeing the different pathways people have taken within the industry, and the passion they bring to what they do, showed me that it’s possible to turn something I’ve grown up loving into a fulfilling career.
It also reinforced the importance of connections and being involved. The people I met, the conversations I had, and the exposure to different systems and ideas all played a big role in shaping my thinking. It gave me a real sense of direction and motivation to keep building my knowledge and involvement within the Angus industry.
That experience is a big part of why I’m excited about the TransTasman Exchange. It feels like the next step in continuing to grow my network, expand my perspective, and keep building knowledge around something I’m genuinely passionate about.
Long term, I’d love to work within the Angus industry and continue growing my involvement in Generation Angus. Opportunities like this are invaluable for building the understanding, perspective, and networks needed to contribute meaningfully to the future of the breed.
I’m really looking forward to making the most of the TransTasman Exchange and bringing back ideas and connections that will benefit both my own journey and the wider Angus community.
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