As part of our 175-year celebrations, we're pleased to announce Xinyu Wu from Massey University and Hamish Shaw from Lincoln University as the recipients of the PGW 175 Year Scholarship.

The scholarship was established to support the next generation of rural professionals and invited final-year students from Lincoln University, Massey University, the University of Otago and the University of Waikato to share their views on the future of New Zealand agriculture and horticulture. We had our work cut out for us with more than 50 1000-word applications received!

Xinyu, a Bachelor of Science student majoring in Plant Science, explored how a deeper understanding of international consumers and markets can help New Zealand agriculture and horticulture capture greater value from its products, connecting consumer insights with marketing, breeding and long-term export growth.

Xinyu Wu in the Massey University Plant Growth Unit (PGU) greenhouse.

Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours) student Hamish Shaw focused on the opportunities presented by dairy-beef integration, examining how genetics, traceability and industry collaboration could help the sector proactively address the bobby calf issue while creating better outcomes for animal welfare, emissions and farm profitability.

Hamish Shaw in the shearing shed. 

Our CEO, Stephen Guerin, said the quality of entries provided confidence in the future of the industry.

"The submissions demonstrated a genuine understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand's primary industries, and it was encouraging to see such thoughtful perspectives from students preparing to enter the sector.

Selecting two recipients from over 50 applications was no easy task. The winning entries stood out for the clarity of their thinking and their ability to identify important industry issues while offering practical responses. They represent exactly the kind of problem solving our sector will need in the years ahead."

Congratulations to Xinyu and Hamish and a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to apply. The considered ideas we received reinforces the depth of talent that the students will bring to the agriculture and horticulture industries throughout their careers.