Educational resources for schools & students
Read, listen to, and watch what is happening in Aotearoa New Zealand’s food and fibre sector by scanning the QR codes or following the links. Answer the questions to complete the exercises.
How can improved GPS accuracy benefit farms?
New GPS technology was launched in Southland earlier this year to provide more accuracy for farmers.
bit.ly/GPS-tech
Have a go:
1. What does GPS stand for?
2. What does SouthPAN stand for?
3. Current GPS accuracy is around 3m. How accurate is this new GPS system?
Stretch yourself:
4. With more accurate GPS, subsoil drains are easier to find if they get blocked. What else would an improved GPS system help farmers with?
For more on agri technology see agritechnz.org.nz
Have a listen
What skills are used by an agri-banker?
Jack MacFarlane works as an agri-manager for Rabobank. In this episode of Road to Rural we hear about his pathway into the position and what a typical day is like.
lnkiy.in/agri-banker
Have a go:
1. Which university did Jack go to and what did he study?
2. What does Jack love about being an agri-manager?
3. What skills are helpful in this role?
4. What does a typical day or week look like for Jack as an agri-manager at Rabobank?
Stretch yourself:
5. What does the graduate programme entail and how does it help you find your fit within Rabobank?
Head to rabobank.co.nz/graduate-careers to find out more about their graduate programme.
Why does a Farm Environment Management Planner need to spend time on farm?
Toni Cottle is thriving in her role as a Farm Environment Management Planner. In this Opportunity Grows Here video, Toni talks about what has accelerated her learning and development and why being out on farm is important. bit.ly/enviro-planner
Have a go:
1. As part of the role, why is it important to get out on the farm?
2. What excites Toni about her role?
3. What has helped accelerate Toni’s development in her role?
4. As well as topography, how many other things can you list that might be assessed when on farm?
Stretch yourself:
5. Why might a farmer use the advisory skills of a Farm Environment Management Planner?
How are sheep affected by heat stress?
AgResearch scientists are developing a tool called a heat load index to help sheep farmers better predict when their animals are likely to be heat-stressed.
bit.ly/hot-sheep
Have a go:
1. What is heat stress?
2. What increases the chances of an animal being affected?
3. What sort of data is going to be collected during the project and how?
Stretch yourself:
4. How do you think the data and index tool will be used on farms?
5. Why is it important to have projects like this researching heat stress? How does this benefit NZ agriculture as a whole?
What will the next generation of bioprotection leaders be doing differently?
Bioprotection Aotearoa is working to create knowledge locally that agribusinesses can harness, and together with communities, use to make better decisions. bit.ly/BA-protect
Have a go:
1. When was Bioprotection Aotearoa launched?
2. What are three things that the holistic approach is designed to protect productive and natural landscapes from?
3. What does the model used by Bioprotection Aotearoa promote?
Stretch yourself:
4. What are some strengths of sharing knowledge and not working in a silo?
5. Why do you think it is important to use a holistic and long-term view of environmental sustainability?
For more see bioprotection.org.nz
Can we farm vertically?
Greengrower is a NZ company growing produce upwards in stacked layers. Watch to learn how bit.ly/greengrower
Have a go:
1. How many kgs of leafy greens can Greengrower produce in a year?
2. What are the three items that the AI light recipes determine in plants?
3. What is the typical germination cycle?
4. Compared to traditional farming what percentage of water is used?
Stretch yourself:
5. Explain how closed loop systems can help save over 36 million litres of water a year. Find out more at greengrower.nz
What are the risks?
Mairi Whittle talks about how an inspirational mentor and a tragedy on the farm have shaped her health and safety focus on the family farm.
bit.ly/safety-focus
Have a go:
1. What event really brought home the importance of safety conversations?
2. When working at Pukekaka Station what did Mairi like about Rob’s approach?
3. Why is it helpful to know where previous incidents had occurred?
4. What is the tip Mairi would like to share with other farmers?
Stretch yourself:
4. What are steps taken when a contractor comes onto Mairi’s family farm? Explain why you think each step is important.
5. When working alone especially in a remote place, what equipment can be used to make it safer?
RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
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agrihq.co.nz/our-education-resources
...is back!
...is back!
Learn about on farm scenarios, use real life case studies and understand what it takes to work in the ag sector in New Zealand. Students also have the opportunity to apply for our Ag&Ed Innovation Challenge, where 20 lucky students will work in teams to address key issues in the ag sector.
Learn about on farm scenarios, use real life case studies and understand what it takes to work in the ag sector in New Zealand. Students also have the opportunity to apply for our Ag&Ed Innovation Challenge, where 20 lucky students will work in teams to address key issues in the ag sector.
Applications are now open!
Applications are now open!
Thinking about a career in the primary sector?
Thinking about a career in the primary sector?
Whether you’re just starting out, or looking for that next step, there are education and training options. Some training options are even on the job, which means you’ll upskill and learn while you are earning.
Whether you’re just starting out, or looking for that next step, there are education and training options. Some training options are even on the job, which means you’ll upskill and learn while you are earning.
Other courses are free of charge, or have support options available.
Other courses are free of charge, or have support options available.
