Novartis Animal Health closes entries for New Zealand scholarship

Novartis Animal Health has announced that entries have closed for its annual New Zealand scholarship programme for young farmers.

Conducted in association with the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, the scheme is open to candidates from across the UK and is now in its third year.

It will give winners the opportunity to travel to New Zealand to study local farming methods, with a particular focus on parasite control, before publishing a report on the country's livestock industry.

The company stated that the quality of entries has been exceptionally high this year, with a good level of interest shown in the scheme.

Nikki Crossley of Novartis Animal Health said: "The selection process has now begun and we will be interviewing the shortlisted candidates at the beginning of July. We hope to announce the successful candidate shortly after that."

Last month, the company issued a warning to British farmers over growing risks posed by nematodirus, a parasite-borne disease that can cause stunted growth or death among lambs.