Entries are now open for the new ‘Farm Vet of the Future Award’ at the Royal Bath & West Show.
The new award aims to recognise and celebrate the next generation of farm vets and applicants are invited to apply for the award by the closing date of Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
Event organisers said the winner and runner-up of the award will have the opportunity to receive their awards at the opening ceremony of the show, which will take place from June 1-3, 2023.
Royal Bath & West council member and chair of the event’s judging panel, James Bardwell, said organisers are pleased to introduce the new award.
“In what is a very challenging industry, progressive committed young people need to be supported. This award does that, and in a broad way across the large animal spectrum,” he said.
Panel judge and director at Shepton Vets, Paddy Gordon, said the award aims to recognise the next generation of farm vets, while broadening the scope of the award beyond dairy.
“We think the award is a good way of offering encouragement to those that take the initiative,” he said.
“We need to proactively help students understand the opportunities in large animal medicine, and offer support to those who are dedicated.”
Farm Vet of the Future Award
To win the award, applicants will need to demonstrate a good understanding of disease and on-farm health challenges, Gordon said.
“Candidates need to show they can digest and interpret all the science and distil it down into clear messages and actions,” he said.
Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, which is providing a £1000 cash prize for the winner, the award is open to UK final year vet students committed to becoming farm vets.
Entrants will need to submit a piece of work that demonstrates clinical knowledge and interest (case report, herd health project, elective or dissertation) and 300-500 words outlining what they think the role of a farm vet of the future should look like.
