increase font size
Massey University vice chancellor Jan Thomas.
We must stop thinking about agriculture in the traditional sense, says Massey University vice-chancellor Jan Thomas.
She told Rural News that she would like to think of graduates of many other colleges at Massey – besides agriculture and veterinary – moving into jobs relating to the wider primary sector.
In the past year, Thomas has developed a new strategic plan for the university that will better align its courses with industry needs and ensure its teaching methods meet the needs of the digital age. Changes have included separating out the veterinary school as a stand-alone college and bringing other aspects of agriculture into one large college.
Thomas says it is now important to see agriculture through a different lens and be aware of the digital era, with innovations such as remote sensing playing an increasing role.
Graduates in agriculture must have a wide range of skills that prepare them for their future roles, she says. Students need to spend time with industry as part of their degree course and understand and be able to work in the rapidly rising Maori economy.
“I want all our graduates – pakeha, international or whatever – to be able to work effectively in the Maori economy in a way that is respectful and that recognises the culture. To be a successful New Zealander you need to be successful in that space,” she says.
As veterinary student numbers grow to help address New Zealand's national workforce shortge, Massey University's School of Veterinary Science is inviting more veterinary practices to partner in training the next generation of vets.
Farmer interest continues to grow as a Massey University research project to determine the benefits or otherwise of the self-shedding Wiltshire sheep is underway. The project is five years in and has two more years to go. It was done mainly in the light of low wool prices and the cost of shearing. Peter Burke recently went along to the annual field day held Massey's Riverside farm in the Wairarapa.
The black and white coat of Holstein- Friesian cows is globally recognised as a symbol of dairy farming and a defining trait of domestic cattle. But until recently, scientists didn’t know which genes were responsible for the Holstein’s spots.
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
OPINION: Is it now time for the country's top agricultural university to start thinking about a name change - something that has been mooted in the past?
According to the latest Fresh Produce Trend Report from United Fresh, 2026 will be a year where fruit and vegetables are shaped by cost pressures, rapid digital adoption, and a renewed focus on wellbeing at home.
The Roar is a highlight of the game hunting calendar in New Zealand, with thousands of hunters set to head for the hills to hunt male stags during March and April.
OPINION: The past few weeks have been tough on farms across the North Island: floods and storms have caused damage and disruption to families and businesses.
European dairy giant Arla Foods celebrated its 25th anniversary as a cross-border, farmer-owned co-operative with a solid half-year result.
The sale of Fonterra’s global consumer and related businesses is expected to be completed within two months.
Fonterra is boosting its butter production capacity to meet growing demand.
OPINION: Meanwhile, red blooded Northland politician Matua Shane Jones has provided one of the most telling quotes of the year…
OPINION: This old mutt has been around for a few years now and it seems these ‘once in 100-year’ weather…
