A hands-on approach

Open days are a great way to explore and understand what agricultural tertiary pathway to pursue and how to prepare for life at university. Supplied.

Many Year 12 and 13 students are beginning to map out their futures - but for those eyeing a career in agriculture, what does preparing for the industry actually look like?

According to Tom Maxwell, Senior Lecturer at Lincoln University, the ag sector is hungry for capable, skilled graduates - particularly for roles such as rural bankers, agronomists, area sales managers and extension workers.

“We have been pretty good at keeping up with what the industry needs whether that student is going to become a farm manager, stock manager, stock agent, soil rep or rural banker,” he says.

That connection between education and industry needs is something Lincoln has honed over time, with some of its degrees including up to 31 weeks of on-farm learning.

“Lincoln’s strength for a long time has been linking on-farm practice with theory,” Maxwell says.

“We deliver a system that is very multifaceted and integrated. It’s not just about one aspect of animals, farm management, pest control or plants. It’s understanding the vital components of a farm system.”

That blend of knowledge and hands-on experience is exactly what employers are looking for.

“Corporates like Silver Fern Farms and Fonterra require graduates who understand the scientific method and know where to get up-to-date science that separates the wheat from the chaff with regards to what information is available on the internet,” Maxwell explains.

“They want graduates who can talk to farmers, speak their language, be relevant and not waste time when they go on farm.”

Technology is becoming part of the everyday toolkit in agriculture, with artificial intelligence (AI) and automation entering the mix, but Maxwell says that won’t replace boots on the ground.

“There is some suggestion that AI will make things like rotational grazing easier and much more automated, but I'm skeptical because there are so many variables that happen on farm,” he says.

“Technology and artificial intelligence may make the day job easier, but as soon as you rely on it, you are giving up that critical eye. Good stockmanship comes from spending time with animals, knowing how they move and what the soil type is on that part of the farm.”

Lincoln University senior lecturer Tom Maxwell says agricultural tertiary education has changed and adapted to what the world requires of New Zealand, rather than what New Zealand needs to do to keep supplying the world. Supplied

He also points out that the mental load of a tech-heavy world is something students and future graduates will need to manage.

“Graduates will need to have the ability to balance their daily life with the demand that comes from using devices and AI and just taking a break,” he says.

“Knowing your mental health and fostering a really good team culture in a farm or company that services a farm are going to become even more important.”

So, how can students best prepare while still at school?

Maxwell says it starts with smart subject choices.

“Science and maths are helpful prerequisites, and biology is key,” he says.

“It puts you in good stead if you have a strong appreciation of biology, and you have an idea about geography – the climate and soils – and human geography.”

But academic learning isn’t everything.

Getting your boots dirty still matters.

“Even if it’s unpaid, try and get some experience in a packing shed, or milking some cows.

“It all helps.”

Lincoln’s graduate profile reflects this philosophy.

Students are shaped into what Maxwell describes as “generalised specialists” - individuals who understand complex agricultural systems and can apply their knowledge in practical situations.

“We want students to be able to synthesise information and write a clear report on a particular topic,” he says.

“We want them to be able to talk about soil management in Canterbury but also know that soils in Waikato and Southland are different, and how that affects what you can do on-farm.”

And while land use is changing, and technology might influence the tools, the fundamentals remain the same.

“Dairy, sheep and beef are going to be the mainstay for a long, long time. We want to make sure people are aware of the different types of farms, and why they vary,” Maxwell says.

“Education has changed too and adapted to what the world requires of New Zealand, rather than what New Zealand needs to do to keep supplying the world. We have adapted, but it’s still that same strong science and research that drives and underpins New Zealand’s farming systems.”

Thinking Ag? Start here

If you're in Year 11, 12 or 13 and thinking about studying agriculture, now’s the time to lay the groundwork.

• Pick relevant subjects: Science and maths are key - especially biology. Geography (both physical and human) will give you an edge when it comes to understanding climate, soils and land use.

•Sharpen your skills: Universities like Lincoln want students who can think critically, communicate clearly, and link science with real-world problems. Learn to write reports, interpret data, and ask good questions.

•Get practical: Even unpaid work counts. Help on a farm, in a milking shed or market garden.

•Build strong study habits: Time management, note-taking, and self-discipline now will pay off later when juggling lectures, labs and assignments.

•Do your homework: Visit lincoln.ac.nz, attend open days, and enrol early to secure your place.

•If your school doesn’t offer ag courses, explore STAR and gateway agricultural courses.