Meat and Dairy Vital for Health and Hunger Solutions, Experts Say
The executive director of the Global Dairy Platform (GDP) Donald Moore says research being done at Massey University's Riddet Institute will help avert world hunger.
Megan Robertson, from a dairy farm at Hari Hari, Westland was a joint winner of the Rural News Group sponsored visual media prize at the annual Massey University agricultural awards dinner last week.
The other winner was Lachie Davidson who is currently studying in the US.
The award is for the best video or photograph that represents life as a Massey ag student. The picture in Megan Robertson’s entry was taken on the family farm. Lachie Davidson produced an excellent video.
Megan, now finishing her second year of studies for an agri commerce degree majoring in international business, says her experience of life on her parents’ dairy farm influenced her to study at Massey University.
“They talked about their finances and their experiences as farmers and that really struck an interest in me and made me pursue my degree in agri commerce — the business side of farming.
“In my major in international business I am looking at international trade and sales and that really makes me tick because it is such a big thing for NZ and there are so many opportunities.”
In the summer break she will work at Fonterra’s Longburn Farm Source store near Palmerston North.
Passion for cows
Bradford Smith, who was awarded the William Gerrish Memorial Award at the annual Massey University Ag Students Awards dinner, is passionate about the dairy industry and already has his career mapped out.
The award recognises outstanding performance in farm management.
At least 250 students, industry leaders and Massey staff attended the event which has been held for 25 years.
Smith was born and raised on a dairy farm in Mangatangi, north Waikato and attended Hauraki Plains College.
From a young age he took a keen interest in farming and working with animals, going out on the farm with his dad and grandad.
“This developed in me a keen interest in the numbers side of things and the breeding of cows. I particularly enjoy choosing which bulls went to which cows to improve their gene pool and overall productivity.
So it made sense for me to study at Massey University, taking a bachelor of agri commerce majoring in farm management to build on my underlying passion and practical background.”
A verbal stoush has broken out between Federated Farmers and a new group that claims to be fighting against cheaper imports that undermine NZ farmers.
According to the latest ANZ Agri Focus report, energy-intensive and domestically-focused sectors currently bear the brunt of rising fuel, fertiliser and freight costs.
Having gone through a troublesome “divorce” from its association and part ownership of AGCO, Indian manufacturer TAFE is said to be determined to be seen as a modern business rather than just another tractor maker from the developing world.
Two long-standing New Zealand agricultural businesses are coming together to strengthen innovation, local manufacturing capability, and access to essential farm inputs for farmers across the country.
A new farmer-led programme aimed at bringing young people into dairy farming is under way in Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
The Government has announced changes to stock exclusion regulations which it claims will cut unnecessary costs and inflexible rules while maintaining environmental protections.
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