Paddocks place to grow great future | Rural

WHILE the rain dampened summer holidays in much of the North Island, it has put a real spring in the step of most New Zealand farmers.

Except for those hit by the big wet at the top of the South Island and its big dry sequel in the far south, the rain means farming is not dreading those three words which have been so prevalent in recent years: soil moisture deficit.

Having hit bottom in 2008, the sheep industry found the only way was up and is still climbing. This trend is not just confined to sheep. Up is the general direction for almost all types of farming, from dairy to goats and through to new types of farming, like aquaculture.

It's notable when the big banks say farming is the future.

When they say we need more farmers, it's time for young Kiwis, their parents and their career advisers to take note.

Late last year, ANZ put up tens of millions in farming packages to help young farmers get a foot on the ladder.

I don't think for a moment they are doing this out of nostalgia for a rural 1950s-style New Zealand.

The banks know New Zealand's future lies in the production of food and fibre from our farms, in research labs creating new products and in factories pumping those products out.

The world is crying out for our agricultural products and, with the world population surpassing seven billion last year, it isn't getting smaller.

In the next 39 years, that number will be heading to 10 billion.

You can become a farmer even if you don't have a farming background.

A good way to start is by googling "Go Dairy", "Get Ahead" and "AgITO", or Massey and Lincoln universities.

Federated Farmers is keen to promote farming as an exciting career, because agriculture is our greenest clean-tech industry. Farming is more than dollars and cents; it's how you become a genuine greenie.

If you want to find out more about farming or to help out of the next generation of farmers, why don't you call 0800 FARMING and talk to us.

Bruce Wills is Federated Farmers national president.