Ag science student wins travel bursary

THE Agricultural Science Association (ASA) and Irish Farmers Journal have announced details of the recipients of the much sought-after PWE (Professional Work Experience) travel bursaries designed to encourage students to broaden their knowledge and travel internationally to gain experience in the global agri-food sector.

Six third-level agricultural science students, four from UCD and two from Waterford IT, including Michael Kean from Claremorris, will benefit from the awards, which will support them while on work placements in the USA, Canada and New Zealand this year.

Michael Kean, a third year agricultural science student at UCD, will travel to Idaho in the USA in May where he will undertake a dairy placement with 4 Bro's Dairy in Shoshone.

Speaking about the opportunity, he said: “4 Bro's Dairy keep approximately 25,000 cattle, 10,000 of which are milking cows. I am really looking forward to being involved with learning the ins and outs of the dairy industry, working at jobs such as milking, calving and feeding.”

This is the third year in which the ASA and Irish Farmers Journal have come together to reward third-year students who opt to do the work experience element of their course overseas. The WIT bursaries are also supported by Glanbia and Seedtech.

Another local recipient is Mattthew Lang from Tubbercurry who will travel to Canterbury in New Zealand where he will work on a 1,250 cow dairy farm.