Monday, 22 September 2014 12:40

Agri scholarships on offer

Written by 

Ballance Agri-Nutrients is calling for applications to its 2015 agricultural and process engineering scholarship programme.


Specialist skills in the areas of engineering, science, precision agriculture and agri-business have been identified, by a MPI report, as key areas to support the future of New Zealand's primary sector, a view shared by the fertiliser co-op.


In June MPI released a research paper 'People Powered – building capabilities to keep New Zealand's primary industries internationally competitive', in partnership with Beef + Lamb New Zealand and DairyNZ. The report summarises the expected capability needs for each of the primary industries and associated support services.


Warwick Catto, science strategy manager at Ballance, said the primary industry needs to continue building a skilled and qualified workforce and the co-operative has directly supported this with its scholarship programme for more than a decade.


"Ballance supports the recommendations of the MPI report and believes New Zealand must future proof its workforce as the primary industry is the backbone of our economy.


"There are many exciting and interesting career paths in the agricultural and engineering sectors and these scholarships are part of our ongoing commitment to building a strong sector for the future."


From soil and water scientists to farmers, vets, engineers, agri-technologists and bankers, there are a wide range of careers which Ballance is proud to support with its annual scholarship programme.


Catto says the scholarship panel looks for students who demonstrate they are passionate about the primary sector and are committed to having a long term future in the industry, which is the backbone of the New Zealand economy.


"Since 2002 we've awarded more than 60 scholarships, with many of these graduates now helping to shape the future of agriculture here in New Zealand."


Ballance scholarships are awarded to four successful candidates, providing $4,000 each year for up to three years of tertiary level study in either general primary industry or in process engineering. The scholarships are open to immediate family members of Ballance shareholders or company employees. Applications for Ballance scholarships opened on 1 September and close 31 October 2014.

 

More like this

Editorial: Co-op power!

OPINION: Think co-operatives and some of our biggest agribusiness companies – Fonterra, Zespri, Alliance Group, Silver Fern Farms, Farmlands, LIC, Ballance, Ravensdown and Tatua – come to mind.

Wickham named Ballance CEO

Former Fonterra executive Kelvin Wickham takes over as Ballance Agri-Nutrients chief executive in September.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter