South Island student success lead Amy Priest, of Lumsden, said 150 students had applied to take part in the programme and there was an urgent need for more people to train students.
"We are still on the hunt for some bloody good humans that want to train these guys up."
Farm trainers on sheep and beef farms take a student, generally aged between 16 and 20, on the two-year programme to give them practical skills, training and experience in agriculture. The farm operation could include deer.
The number of trainers available would account for 89 student placements nationally.
She believed a lack of accommodation on farms might be stopping some potential trainers from applying.
There were ways around the issue, such as students flat-sharing on a property near farms.
More than 120 students were placed on more than 100 farms this year.
For the first time, students must pay a fee to attend the programme from next year, a change which had not impacted demand.
The programme runs for 44 weeks between mid-January and early December.
She urged passionate farmers to "give back" by training the next generation.
"Then hopefully it will come back and they’ll be able to have really great people to employ in the future."
More farm trainers were needed in Southland.
"I’d love some more in Southland. I’ve had a couple of new ones come on board, but I’ll always take some more."
Some farm trainers were returning to train a new student next year.
"Those that have had students before are always keen to stay on and repeat the process. They obviously find it beneficial for themselves and can see that it’s filling a gap in the industry."
