Call to encourage young into farming

Kevin Blair. Photo by Canadian Angus Association.
Kevin Blair. Photo by Canadian Angus Association.
Canadian Angus Association president Kevin Blair says young people need to be encouraged to see agriculture as a ''noble career''.

Mr Blair is known as a strong supporter of youth within his association.

He spoke to Courier Country while on tour in the South Island last week as part of the lead up to the World Angus Forum in Rotorua this week. The Canadian association, which has about 3000 members, brought three teams to compete in the youth programme which has run alongside the Forum which winds up today.

The youth programme featured 10 teams from around the world competing in challenges including heifer preparation, general knowledge and agri-challenges.

Mr Blair said, in his experience, schools seemed to be doing poorly at encouraging young people into careers in agriculture but it was a ''big job to change the academic landscape''.

These days, agriculture offered good prospects economically and improved technology had changed its ''mode of business''.

Agriculture offered desirable careers options where young people could enjoy flexible schedules and business and scientific challenges, he said.

And the industry needed ''clear'' and ''creative thinkers'' for the future, Mr Blair said.

He and his wife Noreen own and operate Blairs.Ag in Lanigan, Saskatchewan.

His family has been involved in the purebred beef industry for the past 35 years, more recently focusing on red and black Angus.

Blairs.Ag offers scholarships to young people entering the industry and has been instrumental in raising more than $110,000 for Canadian Angus youth programmes over the past two years.

Add a Comment