Young farmer awarded support from agricultural society

Posted 10 February 2015

Young Shropshire farmer Alex Heath has secured sponsorship from local and national organisations to help him pursue a career in poultry production.

Second year BSc (Hons) Agriculture student Alex, 19, from Eaton-on-Tern, has won both the Newport and District Agricultural Society scholarship and the British Poultry Council/Aviagen Scholarship at Harper Adams University.

The former Ellesmere College pupil said: “I am delighted to receive the Newport and District Agricultural society scholarship. The funding will help me to purchase resources to aid my studies and allow me to enhance my skillset through courses such as poultry welfare and biosecurity. I would like to thank the society for their generosity and the opportunity to further my academic studies and practical skills.”

Alex’s BPC Aviagen award is worth £4,500 in the current academic year, and he will work for Aviagen during the placement year of his course.

He added: “I am delighted to receive the Aviagen scholarship. It really gives you a sense of direction, for both study and future career ambitions. It is fantastic to be given the opportunity to advance your skills and learning with in the industry, and I would like to thank Aviagen for investing their confidence in me.”

Alex says his ambition is “to work in the poultry industry, which continue to grow in importance year on year”.

Away from Harper Adams, Alex is involved in the breeding and showing of Pedigree Limousin and Simmental cattle and carries out stock-judging for the breed societies.