At least six primary schools from the East Coast region will take part in a national project putting students from 100 primary schools on to sheep and beef farms, as part of the 100 schools project.
Argyll East School and Takapau School have already had their farm visits, with Poukawa East School, Mangatainoka School and Wainuioru School to have their within the next two months or so.
Project manager – NZ Young Farmers, Deb Kingma, said the aim for the project is to teach students about how science and genetics are used to boost productivity and profitability in the red meat sector.
"The aim is to encourage and support the next generation of top talent into the red meat sector. It also helps them understand the wealth of career opportunities available in the agri-food sector," Ms Kingma said.
Almost 70 students from Argyll East School watched sheep being mustered and shorn at Ranui Farm near Waipukurau last month.
The primary school was the first in Hawke's Bay to take part in the project and teacher Emma Foley said the highlight for students was seeing working dogs rounding up the sheep.
The farm visit is part of a resource that students are studying are in class on boosting productivity in the red meat sector.
"I've never been on a school trip like this before. It was an excellent day with lots of hands-on activities for the students," Ms Foley said.
Pupils got to see sheep being drenched and learn about the vital role working dogs play on a farm.
"Having school groups visit the farm is fun for us and provides a great learning opportunity for kids," said farmer Trevor Ennor.
The educational resource was developed under the RMPP people and capability project.
RMPP project manager Di Falconer said the red meat sector is a viable sector full of amazing career opportunities.
"We want to get the industry on the radar of students and teachers, so they're aware of the opportunities," she said.
New Zealand's red meat sector will need to find an extra 33,000 workers by 2025 to replace people who will retire or exit the industry and Ms Foley is urging other schools to take part.
"It's a chance to get out of the classroom, travel, talk to farmers and get that real-life experience that a lot of kids don't have," she said.
It's funded by the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) and delivered by NZ Young Farmers.