Our Story

Why Orion Ag Consulting?

Orion Ag Consulting has evolved from a combination of inherited passion for livestock breeding and experiences working within the industry.

Caris began learning about livestock breeding on the family farm in Ejanding, Western Australia. This provided her with a foundation to understand the importance of selection decisions. As well showing how science impacts all aspects of farming.

Whilst studying Agricultural Science at UWA, Caris gained experience in quality assurance processes while measuring traits from Wayne and Jo Marshall at the Micron Man. Another highlight was working each summer for Westbreed, where she not only learnt about artificial breeding from Harry Wilson and the team but also got the opportunity to see different breeding programs around Western Australia.

After finishing her honors year, Caris started work as a technical officer working on sheep R&D projects both at DAFWA (now DPIRD) and Murdoch University. The time working on executing project designs provided her a great understanding of the importance of balancing science and practicality in project designs. Projects that Caris worked on including measuring feed-use efficiency, methane and ewe lamb joining performance.

In 2015 Caris made the move to Armidale in New South Wales to take on the MERINOSELECT Development Officer role at Sheep Genetics. In her role, Caris worked to help breeders and service providers submit data for the genetic evaluation. As well as develop extension and adoption materials to promote the use of Australian Sheep breeding Values (ASBV’s).

Continuing to focus on improving both the genetic merit and rate of improvement in the industry, Caris took on the Project Manager role for Livestock Genetics at Meat & Livestock Australia. In this position Caris managed both the Research & Development projects within the portfolio and the whole genetics funding pipeline. Including being the executive officer of the National Livestock Genetics Consortium (NLGC), conducting project calls, application revision, governance approvals and contracting.  

A major part of both livestock breeding and science is building on where we are today, whether that is past research or previous generations. Because of this it felt apt to name the business after the Greek myth Orion, who saw further by carrying Cedalion on his shoulders and is the origin of Isaac Newton’s quote.