Key facts
Start date: 12 October 2026, April or October 2027
Cost: $500 per person for the general public, $300 for Horticulture and Agriculture Teachers Association of New Zealand (HATA) members and Agribusiness in Schools members
Delivery mode: Online
Time commitment: 50 hours over 10 weeks
Overview
This course provides an introduction to New Zealand’s key pastoral agricultural systems, including products, production drivers and seasonal management.
Topics include:
- introduction to nutrition and animal digestive tract anatomy
- introduction to reproduction
- introduction to genetics: implications on animal production
- dairy industry
- sheep Industry
- beef Industry
- deer Industry.
What you'll get
Successful participants will receive a Massey University Certificate of Completion in Ruminant Animal Production and have this achievement and 5 credits added to their academic record at Massey.
Entry requirements
No prior experience or qualifications are required, though ideally, participants should have had some previous tertiary education.
Learning outcomes
After completing this course, participants will be able to outline the contribution of livestock to food production and the economy in New Zealand and describe New Zealand’s livestock production systems, including basic management techniques, seasonal calendar and production drivers.
Quality assurance
The School of Agriculture and Environment will oversee course content, and the school's Examination Committee will oversee assessment and grading.
Registration
For all course enquiries and to register your interest, please email Fiona Bardell at F.M.Bardell@massey.ac.nz.
Course contacts
