Businesses chip in to help farmers
Banks and rural businesses are chipping in to help farmers in Southland and Otago.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has awarded $60,000 in tertiary study scholarships to seven students who have set their sights on careers in the primary industries sector.
This year's scholarships bring the total awarded by the co-operative since 2002 to 71.
Warwick Catto science strategy manager at Ballance Agri-Nutrients says it was fantastic to see high calibre students heading into agri-business, science and engineering tertiary education.
"There were strong applicants this year, who all demonstrated a true passion for New Zealand's primary industries sector and see many career opportunities in it. Students recognise that New Zealand is an exporting nation so they are combining disciplines such as marketing, engineering, agriculture, and international business."
"While many students have an ambition to take over the family farm they know they need to gain a tertiary qualification. The primary industries sector has an extensive range of opportunities to offer young graduates. I look forward to seeing where they take the sector in the future," he says.
Ballance handed out four scholarships each valued at $4,000 for up to three years and an additional three, one-year scholarships, each valued at $4,000.
Three-year scholarships were awarded to Timothy Craig from Oamaru, Angela Clarke from Te Awamutu, James Robertson from Ohaupo, and Matthew Poole from Hawera.
One-year scholarships were awarded to Alex Menzies from Omakau, Paddy Ford from Patea and Chris Lowe from Pukekohe.
Ballance received 86 applications for the 2015 scholarship programme, up 11 from last year.
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.
For Wonky Box co-founder Angus Simms, the decision to open the service to those in rural areas is a personal one.
The golden age of orcharding in West Auckland was recently celebrated at the launch of a book which tells the story of its rise, then retreat in the face of industry change and urban expansion.
OPINION: Should Greenpeace be stripped of their charitable status? Farmers say yes.
OPINION: After years of financial turmoil, Canterbury milk processor Synlait is now back in business.