OSPRI writes off $17m over botched traceability system
Animal disease management agency OSPRI has written off nearly $17 million after a botched attempt to launch a new integrated animal disease management and traceability system.
Please do it again next year.
So said secondary school teachers from the greater Wellington region who got a first-hand look at career opportunities in the agri sector for young people, during a tour organised annually by DairyNZ and Rural News Group.
This, the fourth tour, attracted 30 teachers and careers advisors in science, geography, digital, chemistry and economics, from schools in Wellington, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Horowhenua.
They spent the day in Wairarapa, visiting Massey University’s Riverside research farm, seeing a trial of rearing lambs on lucerne.
Professor Paul Kenyon, head of Massey’s Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, explained Massey’s agricultural courses and the careers these can lead to.
And a lecturer, Dr Rene Corner-Thomas, outlined her career progression. She was one of eight young graduates who told the teachers why they chose careers in agriculture.
Also speaking were a rural banker, a fertiliser rep and an extension manager. The teachers found this a highlight – hearing of the range of careers and seeing the passion and obvious success of these young people.
Many were surprised at the high salaries paid to many ag graduates in their first jobs. And they were impressed that many graduates were offered jobs even before they left university.
The group also visited Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre and Urlar Wines, near Masterton.
On the bus to give commentary about the wider agri sector and careers were Massey University chancellor Chris Kelly and agribusiness consultant Lynette Wharfe.
Kelly says he doubts many secondary school teachers know of the wide range of career options in the agri sector. Many don’t know about the high-tech nature of the sector and the highly paid jobs on offer.
Kelly says teachers’ knowledge is improving, but off a very low base.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will be fronting farmers at three large public meetings organised by Federated Farmers over the coming weeks.
Federated Farmers and a major Australian-owned bank are at loggerheads over emissions reduction targets set for New Zealand farmer clients.
More locally grown tomatoes are coming to stores this month and you can thank New Zealand greenhouses for that.
Changing skill demands and new job opportunities in the primary sector have prompted Massey University to create a new degree course and add a significant major into another in 2025.
It was bringing in a new Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show board, more in tune with the CAPA general committee, that has ensured that Christchurch will have a show this year, says CAPA general committee president Bryce Murray.
OPINION: Hats off to our pipfruit sector.
OPINION: Was the ASB Economic Weekly throwing shade on Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr when reporting on his speech in…
OPINION: A reader recently had a shot at the various armchair critics that she judged to be more than a…