Editorial: Agri's mojo is back
OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.
The forestry sector continues to attract young New Zealanders, claims New Zealand Forest Services as seven applicants join the Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau – Forestry Scholarship programme.
Alex Wilson, director, forestry engagement and advice, New Zealand Forest Service, says the sector is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing industries and offers great careers for people of all ages and abilities.
"Forestry involves much more than growing and harvesting plantation forests. It also employs skilled professionals that care for the forest environment, plan and manage forests, manage people and resources, work with modern technology, and operate multi-million-dollar machines and equipment,” Wilson says.
She says the industry is ever evolving and for the industry to survive it needs to grow capability and diversity in its workforce.
"The scholarship programme, now heading into in its fifth year, provides another pathway into the industry and widens access to tertiary study for Kiwis interested in professional forestry degree programmes.”
To date, 30 students throughout New Zealand have received scholarships since 2018, with the first students expected to complete their qualifications at the end of this year.
"We are very excited to see our first cohort of students graduate this year and look forward to welcoming them to the workforce,” says Wilson.
"By taking up careers in forestry and wood-processing, these students will be an important part of a future forestry workforce that deliver for the climate, nature, people and economic outcomes."
The successful scholarship recipients for the 2023 academic year are:
They will study Forestry Science or Forest Engineering at the School of Forestry - Kura Ngahere, at the University of Canterbury.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
Nationwide rural wellbeing programme, Farmstrong recently celebrated its tenth birthday at Fieldays with an event attended by ambassador Sam Whitelock, Farmers Mutual Group (FMG), Farmstrong partners, and government Ministers.
Six industry organisations, including DairyNZ and the Dairy Companies Association (DCANZ) have signed an agreement with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to prepare the country for a potential foot and mouth outbreak.
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