Massey Ferguson is extending its key sponsorship of Harper Adams University Students’ Union (HASU) for a second year.

Harper Adams is the UK’s leading institution for rural and land-based higher education. The farm machinery firm’s support for HASU will include sponsorship of the 2018 Ploughing Match weekend as well as the rugby, football, hockey, netball and rowing teams. Massey Ferguson agricultural equipment was well to the fore at the Freshers’ Registration Day where new students were invited to enter a selfie competition alongside the tractors, with the winner receiving £100 of MF merchandise.

“We’ve had a great year with HASU and had no hesitation in renewing our sponsorship agreement,” says Lindsay Haddon, Massey Ferguson Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager. “Harper Adams is a key centre of learning for the agricultural sector and the Students’ Union is at the heart of the University, playing a significant role in ensuring students make the best of their time there academically and socially. Massey Ferguson is delighted to be able to support these farmers and agriculturalists of the future in all their endeavours.”

Based in Newport, Shropshire, in March 2017 Harper Adams was revealed as the number 1 university in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey. In April it was named Whatuni University of the Year for the second year running. Most recently, it was announced that Harper Adams had this year reached the highest position ever achieved by a modern university in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide when it climbed another three positions to 33rd place.

“The SU team is very much looking forward to working with Massey Ferguson and we are very grateful for the support from such a reputable and highly regarded company within the sector,” says Charlotte Garbutt, HASU President.

Massey Ferguson offers a full-line of products including tractors, combine harvesters, balers, Hay & Forage tools and materials handling equipment. The brand is a highly- active supporter of young enterprise in agriculture and is a principal sponsor of CEJA, the European Council of Young Farmers, the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC), Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) and Ulster and Macra YFC.

With a student community of some 4500 and set on a 550 hectare farm, Harper Adams is the leading specialist university tackling the future development of food production, processing, animal sciences, engineering, land management and sustainable business.