Tuesday, 10 March 2015 08:40

Students given Ballance boost

Written by 
Warwick Catto science strategy manager Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Warwick Catto science strategy manager Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

Ballance Agri-Nutrients has awarded $60,000 in tertiary study scholarships to seven students who have set their sights on careers in the primary industries sector.

 This year's scholarships bring the total awarded by the co-operative since 2002 to 71.

Warwick Catto science strategy manager at Ballance Agri-Nutrients says it was fantastic to see high calibre students heading into agri-business, science and engineering tertiary education.

"There were strong applicants this year, who all demonstrated a true passion for New Zealand's primary industries sector and see many career opportunities in it. Students recognise that New Zealand is an exporting nation so they are combining disciplines such as marketing, engineering, agriculture, and international business."

"While many students have an ambition to take over the family farm they know they need to gain a tertiary qualification. The primary industries sector has an extensive range of opportunities to offer young graduates. I look forward to seeing where they take the sector in the future," he says.

Ballance handed out four scholarships each valued at $4,000 for up to three years and an additional three, one-year scholarships, each valued at $4,000.

Three-year scholarships were awarded to Timothy Craig from Oamaru, Angela Clarke from Te Awamutu, James Robertson from Ohaupo, and Matthew Poole from Hawera.

One-year scholarships were awarded to Alex Menzies from Omakau, Paddy Ford from Patea and Chris Lowe from Pukekohe.

Ballance received 86 applications for the 2015 scholarship programme, up 11 from last year.

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

MPI cuts 391 jobs

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has informed staff it will cut 391 jobs following a consultation period.

National

Canada's flagrant dishonesty

Deeply cynical and completely illogical. That's how Kimberly Crewther, the executive director of DCANZ is describing the Canadian government's flagrant…

Regional leader award

Eastern Bay of Plenty farmer Rebecca O’Brien was named the 2024 Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) Regional Leader of the Year.

Machinery & Products

Tractor, harvester IT comes of age

Over the last halfdecade, digital technology has appeared to be the “must-have” for tractor and machinery companies, who believe that…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Substitute for cow's milk?

OPINION: Scientists claim to have found a new way to make a substitute for cow's milk that could have a…

Breathalyser for cows

OPINION: The Irish have come up with a novel way to measure cow belching, which is said to account for…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter