Massey Uses Portable Analyser to Measure Pasture Soil GHGs
Researchers at Massey University are using a special piece of scientific equipment to improve the measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from pasture soils.
The head of Massey University's School of Agriculture and the Environment, Professor Paul Kenyon, says the outlook for the primary sector is positive with record numbers of students enrolling for Massey's range of undergraduate courses in the primary sector.
"We are 21% ahead of our target and we have the highest percentage increase in students across the university," he says.
Kenyon says at the same time there's been an increase in PhD and Master's students. He says in 2025 there were 130 students doing PhDs and a further 160 doing master's degrees; in the last month, a further 16 PhD students have enrolled.
"Things are really flying and we are having to employ more staff," he says.
Kenyon says they have been advertising for lecturers in environmental science, animal production and horticulture.
In addition, the university is running special training programmes for secondary school teachers who teach agriculture, horticulture and agribusiness. This is being done in partnershi with the Horticultural Agricultural Teachers Association.
This, he says, is in response to a huge uptake by students in secondary schools wanting to take agricultural-related subjects and there is a need to train more teachers to teach these subjects.
Massey University and UCD Strengthen Agricultural Research and Teaching Collaboration
Kenyon says there are now 200 secondary schools teaching agriculture and horticulture and a further 115 teaching agribusiness.
"Interestingly, within a two-hour radius of Palmerston North there are more students doing agriculture, horticulture and agribusiness than those doing science and physics," he says.
Kenyon says the result is there will be a large cohort of future leaders, in the agri sector or other professions, with good knowledge about the engine room of the NZ economy - the agri sector.
DairyNZ deputy chair Cameron Henderson has been re-appointed unopposed for another term.
Farms across the upper North Island are trialling different pasture mixes as part of a research programme that aims to build greater resilience into farming systems.
Election years are always a concerning time for farmers, according to DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown.
The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are coming to the West Coast of the South Island.
Most dairy regions around the country have had a pretty good season so far says Tracy Brown.

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