Pig industry scholarships for six students

Posted 11 February 2015

Six future pig industry professionals have been awarded sponsorship through the BPEX Scholarships scheme at Harper Adams University. 

Each award, backed by a different company, is worth £3,500 in the current academic year. Scholars will work for the sponsoring company during their work placement year, and further funding might be awarded for their final year of study, depending on progress. 

Kelly Hoodless, 20, from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, has gained support from AB Agri. The former pupil of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Horncastle is working towards and honours degree in Animal Science. 

She said: “I think this is an incredible opportunity and I look forward to everything this scholarship placement has to offer. I look forward to placement as it is an opportunity to work in an industry in which I hope to build a future career.  I would like to thank everyone involved for all their support, as well as AB Agri for giving me this exciting opportunity.”

Kelly will spend time working both on a pig farm and at head office. “I would like to work in the animal nutrition industry combing my passions for the sciences with agriculture. I aim to get the most out of life and grab any opportunities that come my way,” added Kelly, a keen member of Wragby young farmers, who also enjoys swimming – she is a trained lifeguard - horse-riding and general outdoor pursuits. 

Emma Pattison, 20, is also a second year Animal Science Student, from Thrintoft, Northallerton, North Yorkshire.  Emma, who previously attended Polam Hall School, is sponsored by Garth Partnership.  She said: “I would like to thank Garth Partnership for giving me this opportunity to gain a year of valuable experience working within the pig industry to allow me to expand my knowledge in a different agricultural sector.

“I will be working alongside vets and assisting with different trials within the industry, as well as working on pig farms to gain an insight into the general running of the farms.”

Emma’s ambition is to have a career working with, and improving the lives of animals. Away from her studies she enjoys working on the family dairy farm, keeping fit by going to the gym, and taking part in competitions with Great Smeaton Young Farmers. 

Fellow Great Smeaton Young Farmer Ben Donald, has secured a BPEX scholarship with Provimi. Ben, 19, from West Rounton, Northallerton, is a second year BSc (Hons) Agriculture student and former pupil of Yarm School. 

He said: “The scholarship I have been awarded is a fantastic opportunity for me to learn new skills and help to progress a career in the pig industry.  My ambitions are to one today be managing my own pig unit and be among the top producers in the UK.” Ben’s hobbies include ski-ing and Young Farmers and he is a member of the Harper Yorkshire student society. 

Former Alcester Grammar School pupil Grace Young receives the Packington Scholarship. Grace, 20, is a second year BSc (Hons) Animal Science student from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. She said: “I am very thankful for the support and for this job opportunity and look forward to starting my placement at Packington Free Range Pork. I hope this opportunity will aid me in my ambition to graduate from Harper Adams University with first class honours.”

Grace is Captain of the Women’s Hockey 2nd team at Harper Adams and also enjoys skiing, running, horse riding and cricket, which she has played at county level. 

Pitwherry scholar Katie Bell, 18, is a first year Foundation Degree in Agriculture student, from Flimby, Cumbria. The former Cockermouth School pupil said: “It was a dream come true being awarded a brilliant hands-on experience in the prosperous pig industry. I want to thank Pitwherry Limited for giving me this great opportunity and for allowing me to get more experience in something I am passionate about.

Katie, who would like to work as a pig herdsperson and ultimately be a farm manager, is a member of the Harper Adams Conservation Club.

Fellow FdSc Agriculture student Adam Brankley, 19, from Welwick, Hull, is sponsored by Rattlerow Farms. The former Bishop Burton College student said: “The scholarship will allow me to work with one of the UK’s largest pig breeding companies, within various sectors of their expansive set up. 

“The work I will carry out and skills learned will hopefully help me progress through the company or progress within the industry elsewhere. Either way, the opportunity I have being given will be a worthwhile experience, which I will not allow to pass me by. 

“I would like to incorporate some of what I learn into the sow herd on the family farm to help expand this enterprise and make it more productive and profitable.”

Adams is a keen rugby player – playing for the university - and also enjoys shooting.