One to Watch finalist Spotlight: Kira Picknell
What happens when curiosity leads you somewhere completely unexpected?
For Kira Picknell, it has led to a career dedicated to helping shape a more productive, sustainable and innovative future for Australia's meat industry.
A finalist in the 2026 Meat Business Women Australia One to Watch Award, proudly supported by HR Legal, Kira is proving that some of the industry's strongest advocates don't always come from traditional agricultural backgrounds.
Growing up on the south coast of Sydney, Kira never imagined a future in agriculture.
"I genuinely thought the only career option that involved working with animals was becoming a vet."
Everything changed while studying Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Sydney. Through her degree, Kira discovered production animal research and quickly developed a passion for the role nutrition can play in improving animal health, welfare and productivity. Competing with the University's Intercollegiate Meat Judging Team introduced her to the red meat industry and opened her eyes to the breadth of careers available across the supply chain.
That experience inspired Kira to pursue Honours before undertaking an industry-funded PhD investigating a novel feed additive designed to improve livestock productivity, meat quality and environmental sustainability.
Today, alongside completing her PhD, Kira works with Number8Bio, where she supports commercial trials and emissions tracking across the supply chain. Her role helps translate research into practical outcomes that deliver measurable benefits for producers.
During her PhD, Kira recognised an opportunity to strengthen the industry's approach to sustainability. Rather than focusing solely on emissions reduction, she expanded the project's scope to include animal performance and meat quality outcomes, ensuring the research reflected the practical priorities of producers.
The project has since been recognised through industry presentations, peer-reviewed research and collaboration with producers across Australia.
"My goal has always been to bridge the gap between research and industry, ensuring new technologies deliver measurable, real-world benefits for producers."
Just as importantly, Kira is passionate about encouraging others to discover careers in agriculture.
As an MLA Red Meat Ambassador, she regularly shares her own career journey with students, demonstrating that there are countless opportunities within Australia's meat and food supply chain. She also mentors university interns, helping build their confidence while encouraging curiosity, integrity and a strong connection between science and real-world outcomes.
One of the biggest challenges Kira faced early in her career was entering agriculture without a farming background.
Rather than seeing this as a disadvantage, she embraced every opportunity to learn by listening. Conversations with producers, feedlots, processors and others across the supply chain gave her a deeper understanding of the industry and shaped the way she approaches research today.
Now, those conversations have become one of her greatest strengths.
"Now, when I'm asked, 'So how did you end up in ag?' I genuinely get excited to share my pathway, and the many conversations that shaped it along the way."
Looking ahead, Kira believes Australia's future success depends on investing in people.
She is passionate about improving awareness of the diverse careers available across the meat and food supply chain, particularly for young people who may never have considered agriculture as a career. By showcasing opportunities across science, technology, production, sustainability and business, she believes the industry can attract the skilled workforce needed to drive future innovation.
For Kira, contributing to an industry that continues to evolve while remaining grounded in strong values is what makes the work so rewarding.
"Being part of an industry that is actively evolving to meet future challenges, while staying grounded in strong values, is what motivates me every day."
We congratulate Kira on being named a finalist in the 2026 Meat Business Women Australia One to Watch Award and look forward to celebrating alongside all finalists at the Australian Gender Representation Report Insights & Awards Evening on 28 July at the RACV City Club, Melbourne, where the winner will be announced.
Celebrate with us in Melbourne
Kira is one of five outstanding finalists in the 2026 Meat Business Women Australia One to Watch Award. You can catch up on our 'Spotlight Series' here.
The winner will be announced at the MBW Australia Gender Representation Report Insights & Awards Evening on Tuesday, 28 July, at the RACV Club, Melbourne.
Join industry leaders from across the meat and food supply chain for an evening of networking, thought-provoking insights from the 2026 Gender Representation Report and the celebration of women helping shape the future of our industry.
Tickets are on sale now.
One to Watch Award Proudly supported by HR Legal
HR Legal is proud to support the Meat Business Women One to Watch Award, recognising emerging female leaders across the meat and food supply chain.
The latest Gender Representation Report highlights that women represent just 32% of the meat and poultry workforce, reinforcing the need for targeted action to strengthen the leadership pipeline.
At HR Legal, we partner with manufacturing and supply chain employers to build compliant, high-performing workplaces and address workforce challenges practically. Supporting initiatives like the One to Watch Award helps recognise potential early, invest in emerging talent and build a more sustainable, future-ready industry.
