Sophie Blair and Tim Brooker will replace this year’s graduates, Hannah McCulloch and Angus McKenzie, who were selected at the end of 2014.

Blair is soon to graduate from Massey with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science and Agricultural Science, while Booker is a FAR Post-Graduate Scholar, finishing Honours at Lincoln, also studying Agricultural Science.

Having being selected for FAR’s Graduate Programme, the pair will spend their first year in the workforce gaining a hands-on understanding of the New Zealand cropping industry and its links with other primary sectors.

Blair will begin at FAR in December in time for the busy trials harvest season, and Booker will begin in February. Both will be based at FAR’s Templeton headquarters, but will have the opportunity to work on trials all over New Zealand.

Current graduates, McCulloch and McKenzie say they are thoroughly enjoying their time in the programme and have gained extensive knowledge about many aspects of the arable industry.

McCulloch says the mix of various learning environments has been a highlight for her. “Through working in the field with the research staff I have picked up the skills required to carry out a research experiment, and planning Women in Arable has allowed me to understand the knowledge and needs of others in the farming business.”

McKenzie has been particularly involved with understanding the role of forage within cropping farm systems and has been engaged with FAR’s interest group, Arable Ys, who travelled to the USA earlier this year.

FAR CEO, Nick Pyke, says like last year, the calibre of applicants for the programme was very impressive and meant that some capable applicants missed out. “The Graduate Programme was introduced with the intention of attracting top students into the cropping industry, and it has been heartening to see such interest in our sector.”

Blair, who says she is particularly interested in cropping and nutrient management, is looking forward to gaining the work experience that Uni doesn’t provide.

Booker says he is also excited to leave Uni and get his “foot in the door” as he starts his career. “I’m really looking forward to meeting more people within the industry and learning all I can from them.” 

The pair will work with FAR for twelve months, and are expected leave with a clear idea of their future with the arable industry.