Massey Ferguson is to become a key sponsor of Harper Adams University Students’ Union (HASU). Recently-named Modern University of the 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 exclusive sponsorship of the 2017 Ploughing Match as well as the rugby, football, rowing and shooting teams. In addition, Massey Ferguson agricultural equipment is set to have significant presence at freshers’ and graduation events run by the Students’ Union.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor HASU which plays such a major role in the success of the University,” says Lindsay Haddon, Massey Ferguson Advertising and Sales Promotion Manager. “Education, support and growth are all vital for young people in farming and, as a machinery manufacturer with years of experience, we hope that we will be able to encourage and nurture this learning.”

Based in Newport, Shropshire, Harper Adams is currently celebrating the award of Modern University of the Year in the 2017 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide. This is one of the major awards made by the Guide and reflects the University’s position at 36th in the main league table, up from 49th last year. This latest ranking is the highest achieved to date by an institution given university status post-1992. In further success, Harper Adams clinched the title University of the Year in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards in April 2016.

“We felt it important to have this partnership with a company which kept true to our agricultural roots,” explains Freddie Hammond, President Harper Adams Students’ Union. “As our undergraduate intake and course base grows, we take pride in maintaining our ethos as a land-based and agricultural University. The new partnership provides the means to develop our sports clubs in a manner which our students work hard for and deserve, and, at the same time, benefit from the prowess gained from such a reputable brand on our sports’ jerseys.”

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 4000, Harper Adams specialises in agriculture, food science, agricultural engineering, bioveterinary science, veterinary nursing, rural and land management, environmental science, and agri-food management and marketing.