Ballance Kapuni plant hit by gas supply issues
Fertiliser co-operative Ballance has written down $88 million - the full value of its Kapuni urea plant in Taranaki - from its balance sheet in the face of a looming gas shortage.
The scholarships will provide $4000 a year for up to three years and are open to immediate family members of Ballance shareholders or company employees. They are for students wanting to study at tertiary level in either the general primary industry field or in process engineering.
Ballance research and development manager Warwick Catto says New Zealand scientists are developing world-leading capabilities in agricultural technology, animal health and also food technology.
"Our economy is inextricably linked to maximising the use of our land and we're very good at it," says Catto.
"Our primary industries need high quality people who study hard to solve very real world problems both today in our fields and paddocks and also in the future. Our scholarships make a real contribution."
Nearly 60 students have benefited from the Ballance scholarship programme since 2002.
For more details or to apply, visit www.ballance.co.nz
