John Caffery named 2027 Kansas State University Scholarship recipient
Angus Australia and the Angus Foundation are pleased to announce John Caffery as the recipient of the 2027 Kansas State University Scholarship, providing him with the opportunity to undertake a semester of study at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
Supported by the Angus Foundation, the scholarship provides $15,000 towards travel and study expenses, enabling young Angus Australia members to immerse themselves in the United States beef industry while pursuing academic interests aligned with their future careers.
For John, the opportunity comes at an important stage in a career already focused on using data, technology and commercial understanding to improve livestock production. A Bachelor of Agribusiness graduate from the University of Queensland, John currently works with the North Australian Pastoral Company (NAPCo) as Livestock Stock Data Systems Coordinator, coordinating livestock performance data across 15 stations and a feedlot. His role includes developing and implementing livestock data systems, producing performance analysis and contributing to the development of company-wide data infrastructure designed to support better cattle and business decisions.
John said the opportunity to study at Kansas State University would allow him to explore how American beef businesses are using technology, genetics and data across the supply chain, with a particular interest in how those lessons could be applied in Australia.
“I want to gain perspective into the efficiencies of their systems and the current processes they have in place around traceability and biosecurity,” John said. “I believe learning from the American systems will give me knowledge I can take back and implement within my current role, with the broader aim of helping the beef industry improve production and connect that more directly with consumers.”
John’s long-term ambition is to build a career within the beef industry working alongside producers to improve the sustainability, traceability and productivity of Australian beef production. His application highlighted a particular interest in the role emerging technologies can play in connecting cattle performance information across the supply chain, from breeding and production through to processing and ultimately the consumer.
Kansas State University’s close connection with the American beef industry was a major attraction, with John identifying opportunities to learn from seedstock producers, feedlots, commercial beef businesses and researchers while investigating emerging technologies and data systems.
He is particularly interested in understanding how commercial and genetic data are integrated within US production systems and how those approaches might support productivity and sustainability improvements in Australia.
The scholarship will also build on John’s existing exposure to the Australian red meat sector. During his Bachelor of Agribusiness at the University of Queensland, where he graduated with a GPA of 6.25, John undertook electives in finance, agricultural science and sustainability. He has also participated in Inter Collegiate Meat Judging, where the University of Queensland team won the 2023 Rockhampton competition, and completed a research project examining the opportunities and threats arising from the decline in the United States cattle herd for the Australian red meat industry.
His broader professional development has included the Australia-China Agricultural Youth Program, MLA’s BredWell FedWell program, Bush Agribusiness’ Business EDGE course and the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program, which he attended through a scholarship from the Australian Beef Industry Foundation.
Angus Australia CEO, Scott Wright said the Kansas State University Scholarship provides recipients with a rare opportunity to combine formal study with exposure to one of the world’s most significant beef production systems.
“The strength of this scholarship is that recipients can shape the experience around the areas most relevant to their own careers and interests,” Scott said. “John already has a strong interest in livestock data, commercial cattle production and the way information can be used to improve decision-making across a beef business. Kansas State will give him an opportunity to explore those areas within a very different production environment and bring new ideas and perspectives home to Australia. We were very impressed by John’s enthusiasm.”
John also hopes the experience will help him develop an international network of producers, researchers and industry professionals that can continue well beyond his semester in Kansas. Importantly, he intends to share what he learns with colleagues, producers and the broader Angus Australia community through presentations, industry events and practical implementation within his work.
“I see this opportunity as a key stepping stone in my career and one that will make me a better asset for the beef industry,” John said.
“My goal is not only to share what I learn but to put those lessons into practice and help improve productivity and sustainability at a grassroots level.”
John will travel to Manhattan, Kansas, to undertake the Spring Semester at Kansas State University from January to May 2027.
The Kansas State University Scholarship is one of the Angus Foundation’s flagship development opportunities, designed to help young Angus Australia members broaden their knowledge, build international networks and develop the skills and perspectives that will contribute to the future of the Australian beef industry.
About the Kansas State University Scholarship
The Angus Foundation provides $15,000 towards travel and study expenses for the successful recipient to undertake a semester at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. Unlike a traditional study tour, recipients can tailor their study program to their individual interests and career direction, while gaining firsthand exposure to the United States beef industry and establishing networks with students, researchers, producers and industry professionals.
