I have always considered the freedom of working in the country, outside of an office, and the desire to be involved in agriculture as two things that appealed to me in a job.  After leaving school I started an agricultural economics degree at university but it wasn’t the right time for me to be in that academic environment.

I went on to acquire some operational skills as a jackaroo in the Riverina and Northern Territory and then moved into a retail agronomy role.  After completing an agricultural science degree at university largely by distance education I landed my dream job (at the time) as a public sector district agronomist.  After several years of working as an agronomist it struck me that I was providing investment advice to farm managers without a comprehensive understanding of the business of farming or of the real financial consequences of my advice.

In a quest to acquire financial skills I moved into farm management consultancy where I learned the value of integrating the rigour of science and a knowledge of production systems with financial management skills.  The key to a better understanding of farm management was unlocked to me at that point.

Since then I have also learned the value of regular assessment of farm performance at both a financial and production level, and taking an evidence based approach to problem solving.  I have also developed an interest in behavioural economics and social psychology which has been as much a journey of discovery of myself as it has been about the way my clients think and act.

I am passionate about solving problems in agriculture.  Part of the appeal of agriculture to me is that it is always presenting new challenges.  It is this dynamic feature of the industry that keeps me motivated and inspired regardless of the frustration caused by some of these challenges.

While I didn’t realise it at the time, each change in my direction was a career stepping-stone and each has helped me to build knowledge and skills and shape my views on an inspirational industry.  Let’s face it – our industry has purpose in feeding and clothing the world. I look forward to new learnings, new business relationships and I hope I have the opportunity to work and engage with you along the way.

Ellie Hays is a Queenslander who now calls the Riverina home. With a Bachelor of Agribusiness, Ellie has extensive experience in livestock breeding and the seed stock sector, particularly in beef cattle.

Her practical experience in the agricultural industry is complemented by her role as an overseer at Holbrook Vet Artificial Breeding Centre, where she honed skills in operations and logistics management, relationship building, and effective communication within the beef supply chain. Additionally, her time as a livestock specialist at Rennylea Angus, coupled with her extensive experience in feedlotting, contract cattle work, and jillarooing, has equipped her with a solid understanding of the industry.

Ellie has also developed key business, financial, and professional skills through her work at Brian McCleary Accountants, Farm Table, and Agrista.

Ellie manages Agrista’s Benchmarking. She is dedicated to the future of agriculture and passionate about assisting and empowering her clients. She has recently commenced working with the Agrista team on a full time basis.

I am from Uruguay, where I grew up in the city of Tacuarembo. From a very young age, I was closely linked to agricultural production through the family business of raising commercial cattle, and commercial and seed stock merino.

At 18, I moved to Montevideo (capital of Uruguay) to study Agronomist Engineering at the University of the Republic. I really enjoyed the degree and found the theoretical explanations to events that I had observed on our family farm. I specialized in cattle and sheep production, as well as winter and summer crops.

I was lucky that I did very well in my studies, and that was when I realized that I wanted to help producers increase their results. For this, I found it necessary to delve deeper into some areas.  I moved to Australia to do a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Melbourne, relating to agribusiness and agricultural advisory which I have now completed.

I recently completed my internship with Agrista and look forward to working with the team.

I grew up in the Bylong Valley in NSW on a cattle and horse stud. In it’s heyday, the property ran a breeding herd of 750 cows plus up to 1000 head of trading cattle and sold 60 to 70 bulls each year at an annual on-property production sale. It was considered an isolated place to live with a dirt road leading in and out of the valley.

My father managed the property for over 20 years.  For most of that time it was a thriving business with its own small community of 8 families and 2 or 3 Jackaroos who arrived annually to complete a year of farm experience.  There was always action and jobs to be completed.  We helped with the mustering, show and sale preparation, moving irrigation pipes, feeding stock and loading hay. I saw first-hand the importance of being able to communicate with a range of people and how that particular skill can make life easier (or harder) in buinsess. I am grateful for that solid and stable start.

At University I majored in Communication and then moved to Sydney to work in consulting and the wine industry.

Once married, we headed west to Condobolin followed by Albury in southern NSW.  My professional life during this time was anything but orderly, rather it became vast and varied with experience gained in advertising, graphic design, marketing, events, human resources and administration.

I genuinely enjoy people and building relationships.  I am naturally inclined towards developing and maintaining communication channels with our clients.  My role at Agrista is to manage our administration, social media output and website content and to manage events and workshops.