Ag sector still a ‘shining light’ as farm pay growth levels off
Rapid growth in dairy farm worker pay in recent years means more money in the pockets of New Zealanders, says Federated Farmers dairy chair Karl Dean.
Rabobank sponsors Smedley graduates in relevant diploma and degree courses.
“Rabobank is proud to provide bursaries to cadets graduating from the station to do further studies and build their agricultural careers,” says Rabobank East Coast regional manager George Murdoch.
The cadets who got the bursaries are Philip Cutbush, Watarawi Ngata, Dean Wardle, Ben Galloway and Jack Virtue.
Smedley Station is held in trust by Public Trust for the Crown, and is administered by Public Trust’s national farm centre managed by Rodd Hutton.
“Smedley Station is grateful for the support given by Rabobank and its generosity in funding further education for Smedley cadets,” Hutton says. “Cadets get real farming experience and every decision affects the welfare of the station. Cadet training is funded directly from Smedley revenue.”
Smedley is one of 30 farms administered by Public Trust. The farms range from 48ha. Five are in the South Island, the rest in the North Island, mostly in Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay.
