Bailey Engle has come a long way since completing Punnett square assignments in her high school science class. Today, she is a postdoctoral fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation in Brisbane, Australia. As a bovine geneticist, she spends her days searching for the evasive cattle terminator gene that has the potential to rock the beef industry.
Q: Tell us how your love for the bos indicus led to a life in the land down under.
A: When I was a member of the Big Timber FFA chapter in Montana, I competed in a lot of different events, but I especially focused on livestock judging. My team was successful and competed at the National FFA Convention. I had a background in livestock from being raised on a commercial cattle ranch and processing facility, but this career development event inspired my dream to make this a career.
After serving as a Montana state officer, I competed on the Montana State University livestock judging team. One competition took me to Texas where the diversity of cattle breeds captured my heart. On my way home from the competition, I got online and changed my focus from medical school to livestock genetics.
Q: Wow! You literally changed your future overnight.
A: It’s safe to say that being in FFA gave me a lot of confidence and the ability to be flexible. I was taught how to speak, how to present myself and how to sell who I am and what I stand for. I think that is why my career has been more focused and so linear. Without that conduit, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to move across the country, let alone the other side of the world.
Q: What advice would you give to others who would want to follow your path?
A: All FFA members should put themselves up for opportunities they might never try otherwise. By trying new things, you can find something you are passionate about. So many people wish they had a career where they could work on their passion. A lot of people in agriculture are fortunate to have found that. Your FFA experiences are the best place to try and find your passion for agriculture.
Without that vote for female membership and my dad’s love for his blue-and-gold days, I likely wouldn’t be where I am today. Opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. We just have to be willing to give it a go.
