ENCOURAGING the younger generations to pursue a career in agriculture will be an important aspect of this weekend’s Australian Sheep and Wool Show.

For the first time, the show will feature an event that will give school students and young people the opportunity to hear more about careers in agriculture from those already working in the field.

The Soils Make Sense seminars will have young graduates working in agriculture in a range of areas on hand to talk about their experiences in their chosen professions and answer questions.

The seminars will be facilitated by Professor Jon Hickford from Lincoln University in New Zealand and will run Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Australian Sheep Breeders’ Association president Malcolm Starritt said the seminars aimed to highlight the benefits of a career in agriculture and encourage more young people to consider a professional future in the industry.

He said a career in agriculture did not necessarily mean becoming a farmer, with “terrific” opportunities in a variety of fields which supported those working on the land, including finance, marketing and agronomy.

“They don’t have to go to Melbourne, they can have a fantastic career in a regional area and be better off financially,” Mr Starritt said.

Mr Starritt said Lincoln University had identified that a lack of graduates was a problem for the agricultural sector in both New Zealand and Australia.

As a result there was a strong demand for graduates, he said, which meant those who decided to work in agriculture would have little trouble finding employment upon obtaining their qualifications.

Mr Starritt said the seminars would also be of interest to parents who were looking for more information on tertiary education paths for their children.

Once again the show will also include the Ross McKenzie Fellowship, through which students can learn about a range of topics on farming and animal health.

The show also has a Future of Farming series, which includes the junior judging and the schools competition.

Eight Catholic College Bendigo students studying a Certificate II in Agriculture are among the students showing this year, taking nine Polwarth ewes.

Agricultural trainer Dani Weeks said she found it beneficial for her students because not only did they get to show off their animals, but they had the chance to show to a judge and gained “a wealth of experience” from working alongside experienced stud breeders, naming Geoff and Michelle from Homeleigh stud as the biggest supporters of the students.

Young people already working in the industry will be celebrated with the Young Stud Masters’ Muster on Friday night.

“It’s a multi-pronged approach to making sure young people are heading into the industry,” Mr Starritt said.

The three-day show kicks of at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds on Friday, July 15.