Becky Curry

Becky began her post-university career in early 2025, as a geneticist at NZ Animal Evaluation, a subsidiary of DairyNZ. She contributes to NZ Animal Evaluation's research and provides analysis that refines the breeding worth index (BW).

She also uses her strength in communication to share scientific information, support farmer adoption of research to improve breeding outcomes, gain farmer input into future developments, and maintain strong connections with sector partners.

Becky enjoys the broad range of work she is involved in at DairyNZ. “At university my studies were very focused on the science only. Now there are other factors to consider, such as the economic and environmental impacts; I really enjoy that broader perspective,” she says. “I am passionate about using genetics to help farmers, cows, and the environment.”

Becky’s interest in agriculture was the inspiration for her enrolment at Massey University where she gained a Bachelor and Master of Animal Science, both majoring in breeding and genetics. Her master’s compared crossbred Norwegian Red dairy cattle to traditional dairy breeds; the traits of international dairy breeds are an ongoing interest. While at university she was introduced to dairy farming through a part-time job relief milking. She also spent time as an intern at The Helical Company, contributing to a project for breeding companies by carrying out genetic analyses focussed on methane emissions traits.