I was told by so many people that coming over to New Zealand to work would be an experience of a lifetime and there’s not really any other way I can describe it. With five of the fastest months of my life after flying by, I’m delighted I came here to complete my farm placement module.
I was told by so many people that coming over to New Zealand to work would be an experience of a lifetime and there’s not really any other way I can describe it.
With five of the fastest months of my life after flying by, I’m delighted I came here to complete my farm placement module.
The amount of knowledge I’ve gained out here is unbelievable, not just about dairying and cows but also about how an enterprise can be run efficiently and with no reliance on subsidies.
For any young person who intends to farm full-time at home in Ireland, this really is a country that is worth working in for a while to see how farmers operate in a subsidy-free system.
Who knows how long Europe will assist us?
With 2020 just around the corner and the changes coming to our Basic Payment Scheme, I think it’s time as young farmers we start looking at how other nations can work and be profitable bases on what they produce on the farm alone.
Who knows how long Europe will assist us? It’s time to learn how to stand on our own two feet.
Aside from the work, there are lots of other reasons why so many Irish come to New Zealand. There is a homely feel to being out here and, in my opinion, New Zealand feels closer to Ireland than it really is.
I can see myself back out in here once my time in college is done and dusted.
Peter McGuinness is an agricultural science student at WIT and is travelling as part of his professional work experience (PWE) programme. Peter is a winner of the Agricultural Science Association - PWE Travel Bursary Award which is supported by the Irish Farmers Journal and Glanbia.
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