Australian Farmers Stop at NSAC as They Explore Farming Around the Globe

On Thursday, March 19 NSAC welcomed 10 recipients of the 2009 Nuffield Australian Farming Scholarship. The farmers are on a six-week global tour investigating agricultural marketing, trade and environmental issues around the globe.

"The Nuffield Scholars have as much to share about agricultural practices in their homeland as they did to learn about practices here," says Jim Goit, Executive Director Development and External Relations, Acting Co-President, Vice-President Administration. "Agricultural issues today are global concerns."

Alex Jack, Beef Producer & Nuffield Scholar from Pakaraka, New Zealand delivered a seminar during the visit. Jack discussed issues relating to environmentally sustainable and profitable pastoral farming systems in New Zealand. These issues included: anticipating and exceeding the environmental, humane, and ethical standards customers require; adding value at both ends of the red meat supply chain through joint venture partnerships; and repeatable intergenerational farm succession.

Each year the Nuffield Farming Scholarship awards scholarships to farmers worldwide, allowing them to study farming practices in New Zealand, Europe, Asia and the Americas. The goal is to increase practical farming knowledge and management skills, while promoting a closer understanding between farmers in the countries visited.

According to Goit, this visit is a natural fit for NSAC. The university frequently shares its knowledge and insights around the globe. "Sharing ideas across borders is extremely important. The answers to issues of sustainability in agriculture will come from a network of experts and leaders from around the world."