During the recent April Holidays, we participated in an event sponsored by Rabobank and run by Lincoln University where students had a week filled with agricultural activities.

On Monday, we visited a seed farm in Christchurch and learned about the wheat process while also studying nitrate and PH levels in the soil. 

The following day, we went to Fonterra in Darfield where we toured the cream cheese and powdered milk factory. We were amazed at how they adapted to using technology without cutting jobs and how they utilized methane from the factory to heat it. Later in the day, we visited a dairy farm where we had the opportunity to milk cows and also learned about the AG-Assist app, which is like Uber Eats for farming in Canterbury. On Wednesday, we visited Oakleys, a potato farm, and learned about their storage and sorting process. We even received a free box of potatoes! We also visited New World where we got to know their unpacking process before going to Lincoln University for a tour and an explanation of their courses. 

The next day, we visited a sheep and beef farm where we learned about wool, saw a $480,000 tractor, and discovered merino products made from New Zealand wool. We also had the chance to listen to graduates from the University of Lincoln discuss their experiences and current positions available in the industry. 

It was an absolutely amazing event and I would highly recommend it in the future for those who have little knowledge of the agriculture and rural sector but who may be interested! 

Lily Saunders