Interest high in cadet scheme

The Smedley Open Days in June saw 110 potential applicants visit the Hawke’s Bay Station. This was up from 85 last year. Rob Evans, farm manager, said there was more interest in the two-year farm cadetship programme from the South Island this year, with 13 registered. Only 13 trainees are accepted into the programme each year.

The 5554 hectare property (gifted to the Crown in 1919) runs beef cattle, sheep, deer and has a small dairy shed, timber mill, onsite builder and mechanic.

Tuition and accommodation costs are free: all funded from farm income off 30,000 stock units. Evans said the business has put a healthy budget on the table for next year, despite a dry start.