Five students from colleges and universities across the UK have been shortlisted for this year’s Farm Health Management awards at Dairy-Tech 2023.
Students from Bristol Vet School, Harper Adams University, Royal Agricultural University and Duchy College will compete before the winners are announced on February 1, at Dairy-Tech 2023 in Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
The Farm Health Management awards aim to demonstrate and test the students’ knowledge of proactive farm health management.
The awards will be judged this year by the policy director for the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF), Tim Brigstoke, and council member and vet Sarah Tomlinson.
The competition is split into three categories: Students at agricultural colleges, agricultural universities and vet schools, and is open to students in all year groups.
This year’s finalists are:
- Jack Rust (Bristol Vet School);
- Alexandra Godfrey (Royal Agricultural University);
- Marley Lamerton (Harper Adams University);
- David Isaac (Duchy College);
- Laura Butt (Duchy College).
Each student had to submit a 1,500-word essay on proactive farm health management to be shortlisted for the awards.
The winners for each category will be announced at 12:00p.m on the Volac stand at Dairy-Tech and will take away a £500 cash prize.
Commenting on this years finalists, Brigstoke said: “This year’s finalists all had a good awareness of biosecurity as well as its inclusivity into farm health planning. Training was also something they all emphasised as being important.”
Matthew Knight, managing director at RABDF, added: “Farm Health Management is an integral part of running a productive and profitable farm and is integral to delivering health and welfare improvements as part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.”
Dairy-Tech 2023
Dairy-Tech is a tailored event for the next generation of dairy farmers showcasing new technology and skills held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
It is organsied by the RABDF and aims to showcase new technology and provide a platform for new product launches.
The event centres around progressive dairy professionals, regardless of their herd size or type, who strive to reflect the transformation of the sector of the years, according to organisers.
“As we enter the new dawn of the dairy sector, it is crucial farmers are equipped with the information and skills needed to move their business forward and ride the turbulent waters ahead,” Knight said.
“Some change will inevitably have to happen on most farms – from an environmental point of view or for labour reasons, for example.”
