Beef + Lamb NZ: Generation Next workshops for farmers underway

Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Generation Next farmers listen to Rural CA Ltd director Lawrence Field talk at the finance module at the Gore RSA recently. Photo: Nicole Sharp

Agriculture's next generation is stepping up to the plate.

A group of 20 farmers started Generation Next last week.

The programme, run by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, was piloted as Future Farmer in 2016. This is its third year.

Three modules are being rolled out through workshops, held in Southland and Otago over six months.

The first module, on finance, was held in Gore recently.

B+LNZ southern South Island extension manager Olivia Ross said the finance module covered the farming business as a whole.

''It was everything from goal setting to taxation.''

The second module will be held in August, in Dunedin, and will cover agri tools, technology and genetics.

Talking points will range from Nait to farm software.

The third module will focus on meat appreciation and will be held in Invercargill in November.

That workshop will teach farmers the ins and outs of meat plants and processing, and about mental and physical health.

Most of this year's group had applied to upskill, and some had not studied beyond school, Miss Ross said.

The 20 farmers come from all corners of the southern South Island, from as far south as Tokanui up to Millers Flat.

Miss Ross said one of the main objectives of the programme was getting the farmers to think about their end goal - and giving them the confidence to strive for it made the project all the more worthwhile.

''We aimed to give them some confidence to make something of themselves and move their careers forward, while still being practical farmers.''

Southern Rural Life