Animal Genetic Services
Massey University’s Equine Parentage and Animal Genetics Services Centre offers the most comprehensive range of DNA-based genetic testing for animals in New Zealand.
If you don’t have the right background/qualifications to start your degree, Massey offers a number of programmes to help you. The Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are for those who wish to study in an area different from their undergraduate degree.
If you are unsure whether you have the right background/subjects to study this programme, our tool will help you to figure out what you might need to do before starting your qualification.
This course covers the basics of erosion, nutrient and sediment loss, and key mitigation strategies, with participants able to progress to more advanced learning around soil and nutrient loss processes and the development of a land and water management farm plan.
Advanced soil conservation course
A three-day short course for industry practitioners, rural professionals, regulatory and governance personnel and scientists engaged in providing advice relating to the design, management and auditing of farm dairy effluent (FDE) system.
Developed with DairyNZ, AgResearch, New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre and MPI, this course presents New Zealand’s agricultural GHG emissions in the context of their contribution to global emissions and climate change.
Greenhouse gas emissions course
Two courses are offered for the accreditation of advisors responsible for safe and effective nutrient management. The ‘Intermediate’ Course is offered in two options – Pastoral Agriculture and Orchard and Arable Production.
Sustainable nutrient management
This course will give you a good grounding in the principles of using herbicides to control weeds. It has been designed to prepare participants for working in the herbicide industry within New Zealand.
This course, run by Massey’s School of Aviation, provides training in the use of drones and remotely piloted vehicles.
Agriculture at Massey is about understanding and optimising the growth of plants and animals for food, fibre and other products and to sustain and enhance our resources and people’s lives.
We aim to find the right balance between production and sustainability. The innovations we bring to the primary industries come from our trans-disciplinary approach across the food value chain.
The values and philosophies instilled at Massey remain with me today, and lay at the heart of New Zealand’s competitive advantage.
Andrew Reid
General Manager, Extension
Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Science) now (International Agriculture)
Upon completion of my degree I found it very easy to get a job. There is high demand for agriculture students in general, but more so for rural valuation students.
Cameron Walker
Bachelor of AgriCommerce (Rural Valuation)
The degree gave me the flexibility to follow my environmental and agricultural interests and the cross-discipline teaching approach taught me about systems.
Charlotte Robertson
DairyNZ Master’s Scholar, The University of Waikato
Bachelor of Natural Sciences (similar degree: Bachelor of Science (Integrative Biology))
I loved my experience at Massey University, keeping busy with sport, study and Massey Young Farmer’s Club. My time at Massey University gave me friendships and skills that will last the rest of my life.
Courtney Hill
FutureMe Graduate Programme, ASB Bank
Bachelor of Agriscience (now Bachelor of Agricultural Science)
I came to Massey because it has a great reputation as being a leader in the agriculture industry. Studying at Massey was a fantastic experience. The lecturers were always available to assist us and the mix of practice and theory meant we gained rounded knowledge of each topic.
Dana Muir
Agribusiness New Zealand
Bachelor of AgriCommerce (International Agribusiness)
I already had an overview of the business but my study has meant I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of what we are doing and why we are doing it.
Dean Tangiora
Shift Co-ordinator - Te Kuiti Meats
Diploma of Meat Technology
The best part of Massey, in particular plant science, is how passionate the lecturers are about their subjects.
Emily Smith
PhD candidate
Bachelor of Science (Plant Science)
Massey is recognised as a top agricultural university and offers a vast range of papers.
Georgia Gavin
Bachelor of AgriCommerce (International Agribusiness)
Studying agriculture opened my eyes to the vast range of career opportunities in the primary industry.
Hamish Best
National Product Development Manager, AusWest SPS Seeds in Melbourne
Bachelor of Agriscience (now Bachelor of Agricultural Science)
My degrees have opened doors and given me wonderful opportunities in this sector.
Hannah Bruce
Business Manager - Landcorp Farming
Bachelor of AgriCommerce (Farm Management)
My three years at Massey were great! I gained knowledge across a wide range of subjects and farming systems and I got to work with real farmers and their businesses.
Hannah Wallace
Ravensdown, Agri-Manager
Bachelor of Agricommerce (Farm Management)
My study experience has been fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed my undergraduate degree. In particular I liked that we were able to apply what we learnt in lectures to actual on-farm situations by having multiple field trips and talking to farmers.
Holly Phillips
Science Intern, DairyNZ and AgResearch
Bachelor of AgriScience (now Bachelor of Agricultural Science)
The best part of my degree was the people I studied with. We helped each other out, knew what each other were up to, and created a support network to lean on. I also enjoyed the practical elements of my degree.
Kate Stewart
Trainee Consulting Officer - DairyNZ
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
I love the land and grew up in Mangatainoka wanting to be a builder. When I left school, I became a dairy farmer and now I am combining my interests.
Kiri Symonds
Bachelor of AgriCommerce (Māori Agribusiness)
My study at Massey has given me a really good broad understanding of the agricommerce sector and has taught me how to socialise and network with people on a professional level.
Lauren Woolerton
Graduate Mobile Rural Consultant - FMG
Bachelor of AgriCommerce
My degree has been crucial, allowing a smooth transition into the first year of my career. It set me up with subjects like the soil science, GIS mapping, plant diseases, statistics, financial business analysis and – of course – plant biology that I have needed in my graduate role.
Leander Archer
AgFirst, Horticultural Consultant
Bachelor of Horticultural Science
My Massey study experience was excellent. I loved the interaction with the lecturers - especially in the smaller classes. Good lecturers along with interactive classes, field-trips and applicable assignments made for a great learning environment.
Luke Posthuma
Trainee Technical Adviser with Farmlands Horticulture in Pukekohe
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Completing my studies in plant science has opened up a wealth of opportunities, both in New Zealand and abroad.
Rowan Dickson
Secondary School Teacher
Bachelor of Science (Plant Science and Genetics)
My degrees at Massey gave me a good understanding the main components agricultural science – climate, soils, plants and animals – and how they interact
Todd White
Business Manager, Lower North Island, FarmIQ Systems Limited
Bachelor of AgriScience
Massey University is ranked no.1 in New Zealand for agricultural science by the Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. The ranking is determined by a series of indicators such as the number of papers authored by an institution in an academic subject, international collaboration on papers, and the number of staff winning awards in an academic subject.
Massey is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 50 universities for agriculture. QS is an organisation that ranks universities worldwide in various topics.
Massey's Dairy 1 farm is part of the Global Farm Platform, an international group for optimisation of grazing livestock production systems.
Massey University’s Equine Parentage and Animal Genetics Services Centre offers the most comprehensive range of DNA-based genetic testing for animals in New Zealand.
Massey University’s Farm Services Clinic provides on-farm treatment for all farm animals as well as in-clinic consultations as required. We have a large animal hospital in Palmerston North providing ongoing care as well as advanced diagnostic imaging, intensive care and surgery for our patients.
We provide an independent seed-testing service offering a wide range of seed-quality assessment tests. We are accredited by the International Seed Testing Association and provide tests for clients including seed companies, farmers, research institutes, small businesses and individuals.
The Sheep: Health, Disease and Production is a guide to sheep health, disease and production for veterinarians, farmers, farm advisors, and veterinary, agricultural and applied science students. The latest edition features the latest research and thinking on sheep health, disease and production and includes in-depth information on exotic sheep diseases such as Helicobacter abortion and Schmallenberg virus.
A printed 'yardstick', this tool was created to show the relationship between seasonality, the height and yield of herb pasture mixes in the field and whether stock should then be grazing, or not. The stick aims to assist farmers' understanding of the management of 'new' forage pasture types.
The world needs nutrition-driven agriculture that operates within planetary boundaries. But a recent OECD report on New Zealand’s environmental performance shows how our agricultural sector’s continual push at those boundaries poses grave risks.
The Annual brings together over 30 experts to share ideas on how New Zealand can lead the way in determining robust policies, new solutions and best practice for sustainable food production and consumption.
Massey staff are on the Tāhuri Whenua National Committee. This group represents Māori interests in the horticulture sector. Their website features information for growers, books, projects and contacts for regional activity.
An excellent resource on toxicoses for veterinary students, practitioners, agriculturalists, diagnostic laboratories and libraries. Includes the latest references, new toxicities and an expanded section of poisonous plant plates in colour.
Need help identifying weeds? This database has detail on 70 of the most common weeds found in New Zealand, including how to identify and control the plant.