Dr Kirsty Chidgey, NZPork Animal Welfare Science Advisor
When Kirsty Chidgey told careers advisors at her Wellington high school that she wanted to work with animals, they recommended she study to become a vet.
So she enrolled in ‘pre-vet’ at Massey University where she was also exposed to the world of agriculture and animal science for the first time.
“That was a much better fit for me, so after one semester, I switched to a BSc in animal science.”
Moving onto a lifestyle block while she was studying also enabled Kirsty to raise two Kunekune pigs.
“That was where my interest in pigs and their welfare began and it became the academic route for my Masters on the topic of sow welfare, which had industry support from NZPork.
“Then came the opportunity to do my PhD in collaboration with a farm that had invested in new farrowing technology. That research into aspects of sow and piglet performance and behaviour in an alternative farrowing system was also supported by NZPork.”
After completing her doctorate, Kirsty worked at Massey as a veterinary teaching technician for several years. Then NZPork got in touch to talk about developing her current role.
“The main aspect of my job is providing science-based advice on matters relating to pig welfare,” she says.
“I am involved in PigCare, NZPork’s on-farm welfare certification programme. I also work in collaboration with Primary ITO to deliver pork industry stockperson training in areas covering animal welfare, behaviour and handling and I also work closely with our policy and technical personnel.
“I enjoy it all but my favourite part is still getting out on farms, to work with pigs and talk to farmers about what they do and how they do it.
“The role also means I can still be based at Massey and continue with research. I also do a small amount of teaching into the animal science and agricultural science degrees and I co-supervise post-graduate students who are doing pig-related research.”
Away from work, Kirsty is kept busy with her lifestyle block.
“Due to biosecurity requirements I can’t keep my own pigs any more. But we do have cattle, sheep and chickens and that keeps me occupied.”
