Dannevirke: Degree focuses on global market

Dannevirke's Brianna Massie, a Beef + Lamb New Zealand scholar, is in the second year of a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing at Lincoln University - a new degree covering global agribusiness and food value chains. Photo / Supplied

Dannevirke's Brianna Massie is the latest Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) scholar and is studying a new degree at Lincoln University.

Brianna is in her second year of a Bachelor of Agribusiness and Food Marketing, a three-year degree introduced last year which aims to produce graduates who understand the inter-disciplinary nature of global agribusiness and food value chains.

"I knew I wanted to study agriculture, as I realised the opportunities available and the interest I had in the industry," she said. "I was looking at studying agricultural commerce at Lincoln, then this new degree came up."

Brianna, 18, is the daughter of Grant and Brenda Massie and grew up at Whetukura, near Dannevirke, on the family's 1500-hectare sheep and beef property.

As a B+LNZ scholar, Brianna receives up to $5000 annually for the three years of her degree, dependent on achieving a B+ average grade.

"The scholarship gives me the opportunity to keep my student loan to a minimum and helps me focus on my studies," she said.

After graduating, Brianna hopes to visit global markets, to better understand marketing and marketplaces.

"Ultimately, I want to work in a job that helps New Zealand expand its exports to overseas markets."

B+LNZ has supported about 50 young people over the past decade, as they study at Lincoln or Massey universities, Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre or Telford and chief executive Dr Scott Champion said reviewing each year's new intake of scholars is a particularly enjoyable task.

"If we can support these individuals financially it helps us secure this talent for our industry," he said.

-Applications for the B+LNZ scholarships close on February 7. Details at www.beeflambnz.com.