Five university students studying towards degrees in New Zealand's primary industries have been awarded Ballance Agri-Nutrients scholarships, each worth $4000 a year for a maximum of three years.

The five scholarship recipients (clockwise from top left): Ryan Hathaway from Reporoa, Sarah Greenwood from Ohakune, Matthew Hughes from Rotorua, Holly Flay from Te Awamutu, and Peter Thomas from Mossburn.

Ballance Agri-Nutrients research and development manager Warwick Catto says the calibre of this year's applicants are again of a very high standard and shows the industry's future is in safe hands.

'Our primary sector leads the world and we need to continue to attract top talent to keep us there.

'We have some outstanding young people ready to make their mark and we're right behind them,” says Warwick.

The latest round of scholarships was awarded to Sarah Greenwood from Ohakune, Ryan Hathaway from Reporoa, Holly Flay from Te Awamutu, Peter Thomas from Mossburn, and Matthew Hughes from Rotorua.

Ryan Hathaway from Reporoa is in his second year of studying a Bachelor of Chemical and Biological Processing Engineering (Honours) at Massey University.

Head boy of Reporoa College in 2012, Ryan already has strong experience working during his holidays on a sheep farm and as a relief milker on several dairy farms in the local area. After graduating, Ryan hopes to use his engineering degree within the agricultural sector.

'My options are still very broad; although given my farming background, I would definitely like to work within the agricultural arena.”

Holly Flay from Te Awamutu has just started a Bachelor of Science majoring in Chemistry and minoring in International Agribusiness and Animal Science at Massey University.

Born and raised on a dairy farm, Holly's aim is to use her farming experience and conjoint degrees to work in the dairy industry.

'I think my background of growing up on a dairy farm and my interest in animals and agriculture has really helped me gain a strong insight into the industry. I'd like to use my degree to pursue a career with the dairy industry, focusing on research and development.”

Sarah Greenwood from Ohakune is studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University this year. Once she completes her studies Sarah hopes to continue in the agricultural sector by either conducting research or becoming a consultant focusing on the sheep and beef sector.

Sarah gained her passion for agriculture after spending her school holidays working on the family farm. This also saw her involved in Feilding High School's Teen Ag Club as vice chair and she was part of a team that placed second at the Teen Ag nationals, which is a young farming competition. Matthew Hughes, from Rotorua, is in his second year of a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University.

Growing up on a sheep and beef farm, and with experience of working on a dairy farm, Matthew has a real desire to pursue a career in New Zealand's primary sector. Once he graduates Matthew hopes to work in research and development for the beef and lamb industry.

'At the moment my key interests are in animal and soil science, and business and farm management. My degree gives me the opportunity to learn more about these different aspects and the other opportunities within the agricultural sector, which will help me define exactly what I want to work on when I finish it.”

Peter Thomas, from Mossburn, is passionate about the agricultural sector after growing up on a 5000 acre sheep and beef farm which gave him strong understanding about the industry.

Now in his third year of a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University, Peter has recently been voted onto the committee of the Massey Young Farmers club, which has more than 130 members nationwide.