Wednesday, 23 October 2024 10:55

New focus on ag training

Written by  Peter Burke
Professor Danny Donaghy Professor Danny Donaghy

Massey University is tweaking the format of its agricultural courses.

The university's deputy head of the school of agriculture and environment, Professor Danny Donaghy, says they are making sure there are more courses around compliance, greenhouse gases, animal welfare and other key topics. But he says that if new material is added in, some must be removed, because the degrees are just three years.

"What we are trying to do is give graduates a good appreciation of the systems that they work within and to be able to navigate these.

"Not necessarily to have the answers to everything, but we are trying to train them as to where to look for the answers rather than just filling up their heads with figures," he says.

Donaghy says in the age of online, so much more information is freely available, compared with several years ago. He says they are trying to upskill students about how and where to look for information.

"And to know good information from bullshit and to be able to navigate their way through that," he says.

Donaghy says he agrees with the report of AgFirst chief executive James Allen on the skills that will be required for future rural professionals. He says understanding farm systems is key - as is having the people skills to meet the demands of clients and deliver this in a way they require.


 Read More

Finally, Donaghy says he never ceases be amazed at the high calibre of the Massey ag graduates.

He says their commitment to their studies is great to see and it's no surprise how well Massey is respected in the agriculture and environment space.

More like this

DairyNZ supports vocational education reforms

DairyNZ is supporting a proposed new learning model for apprenticeships and traineeships that would see training, education, and pastoral care delivered together to provide the best chance of success.

Youngest contestant proves age is no barrier

A Massey University student has inched closer to national victory after being crowned Taranaki-Manawatu's top young farmer, despite being the youngest competitor in the field.

Featured

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

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.

Editorial: Making wool great again

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.

National

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter