LATER this month a 19-year-old Pembrokeshire student will be heading for the south island of New Zealand where he will gain nine months practical experience as part of his Higher National Diploma Course at Harper AdamsAgricultural College.

Nick Rees has already finished three semesters and hopes to complete his studies with qualifications in land and farm management.

"If all goes well I may stay on to complete the degree course," he hints.

He has already gained a practical knowledge of farming with his parents, Anthony and Liz Rees, at their 400-acre Cawdor House Farm, Wiston, in the heart of the county.

Nick's father buys and sells large numbers of beef cattle and cull cows and, utilising the large area of forage maize which they grow, they also take 500 beef cattle forward to finishing weights on the farm each year.

His placement in New Zealand will be on a 1,000-acre beef, sheep and deer enterprise where the cropping consists of grass, hay and a large area of swedes.

"During the 18 months I have already been in college I have made so many good friends from all over the British Isles and further afield and I know that these will be my friends for life," enthuses Nick.

A keen sportsman, he proved himself to be a talented winger with the oval ball while at secondary school and he has found himself a place in the College XV.

"Another plus for going to New Zealand will be the chance to learn at first hand some of the finer points of their highly developed rugby techniques," he claims.

Another sporting success which he has achieved with his father, Anthony, is in the field of 4x4 rallying using everything from beach buggies to Land Rovers. Together, from a huge entry, they were placed fourth as a team in last year's British championships.