21 March 1986 Enrolments decline for the Diploma of Agriculture

Present problems of farming seem to be discouraging some of those from farms taking up courses at Lincoln College this year, according to the Principal of the college , Professor Bruce Ross .

In a report to the College Council meeting today (March 25) , Professor Ross said that enrolments in the Diploma of Agriculture course were down by 25 per cent.

Enrolments for degree courses in agriculture and horticulture were also lower, but the drop was less than for diploma study.

Professor Ross said that clearly some of those who had enrolled had changed their minds for financial reasons.

Present "highly-publicised problems of farming" seemed to be putting people off studying, he said.

This was a matter of considerable concern because many jobs for agricultural science graduates were available.

"We are already having difficulty in producing as many such people as are required."

Professor Ross said that the next few years could see a return to a better relationship between the purchase price of farms and returns earned.

"Prospects for those taking up farming in the next few years should be much better than for those who bought their farms three or four years ago," he said.

"Therefore, for more people to be entering the Diploma of Agriculture course right now would make sense.

"But the present image of farming, as well as the financial situation of some farming families, is putting them off."

Professor Ross said enrolments for commerce courses at the college were up slightly.

There had been a rise in commerce students from the city, compensating for the drop in rural students.

He told the council that when registration closed the roll was 1730 about 120 down on the same time last year.

Late enrolments took the roll to 1750, which was still down on 1985.

This year enrolment of women students had risen to 30 per cent.

Professor Ross said 135 students had enrolled for the Diploma of Agriculture course, compared with 180 last year.

Further information from Professor Ross, Principal, Lincoln College