Award-winning alumna speaks about her career

A Harper Adams University alumna who was named National Pig Awards Trainee of the Year has been profiled in Pig World magazine.

Toni Bagguley, from Worksop in Nottinghamshire, is a BSc (Hons) Agriculture graduate from Harper Adams, who decided to switch careers from law to agriculture – and found her dream career in the process.

She told the magazine: “I studied straight agriculture to keep it broad, as I’d already changed my mind once. But after my first year, that’s when my love and passion for the pig industry and farming pigs really solidified.

“Before I went to Harper, I worked on the farm every day and I got to see how the animals behave. I was involved in all areas of the farm, from service to weaning. It’s hard work, but I just fell in love with it.”

 _{Toni, right, working at an event with Ladies in Pigs.}

For her industry placement year, Toni secured a role on BQP-Pilgrim’s Europe’s breeding team via a Scholarship – and fared so well she was invited back to take up a graduate role once she completed her studies.

She said: “I really appreciated the opportunities I had during the placement. I really wanted to get into this industry, and Pilgrim’s Europe gave me the opportunity to do so.”

On her return to the company after graduation, Toni found herself hugely enjoying the company’s graduate programme – as well as being named Trainee of the Year at the National Pig Awards 2024.

Talking about the graduate training programme, Toni added: ““It’s brilliant and Pilgrim’s Europe has given me plenty of opportunities.

 “It’s now more centred around becoming a good fieldsperson, including the day-to-day communication, advising on farm practices, and helping out farmers, alongside the management aspect of the scheme.

“I’ve also been on many courses around resilience, about looking after yourself so you can show up to work and be your very best. It’s not all just about production; it’s about looking after yourself so you can look after a team.”

Read the whole interview here in this month’s Pig World magazine.