Agricultural Student of the Year Finalist: Andrew Harrison

Posted 7 September 2016

We recently brought you the news that three out of five finalists for Agricultural Student of the Year at the British Farming Awards are from Harper Adams University. Now we are putting each one in the spotlight. 

Name: Andrew Harrison

Age: 22

From: Lancashire

BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Animal Science

Andrew graduates from Harper Adams University on September 23 with first-class honours in agriculture with animal science. He was nominated for the award by the agriculture team at the University for his dedication to farming and making the most of the opportunities provided while studying at Harper Adams.

Andrew said: “During my first year of studies, I became aware that students who achieved first class grades were presented with the opportunity to study for a semester at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, NY, USA. I was determined to achieve this and was able to travel and study at an Ivy League University and one of the worlds’ leading dairy science institutions.

“I’m very proud to have achieved my BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Animal Science First-Class degree. To achieve a first class took a great deal of hard work and dedication, and I am delighted with my marks across the board, especially in my Honours Research Project (HRP)

“My HRP is entitled: “Associations between ration formulation, feeding management practices and herd characteristics on the level of sorting of total or partial mixed rations on UK dairy farms”. It required me to travel to a number of farms, which saw me waking up as early as 3am to arrive in adequate time. 

“The hard work and little sleep was worthwhile, as the results will help create new UK standards for the particle size distribution of grass silage and TMR, shows useful insights into the feeding behaviour of dairy cattle.

“It was an honour to have been selected by the Agriculture team at Harper Adams University as a candidate for the British Farming Awards Agricultural Student of the Year and I’m absolutely delighted to have been selected as a finalist.

“This really is a fantastic end to four enjoyable years at Harper Adams and I’m looking to celebrating with the other finalists at the awards ceremony.”

Andrew’s talent was recognised earlier this year when he was named RABDF/MSD Animals Health Dairy Student of the Year.

Having completed his studies, Andrew’s attention has turned to the future, with appreciation for what he learnt during his time at the University. “I am currently working on the family farm over the summer whilst conducting a financial appraisal of the business, trying to help decide the future direction of the business.

“I am seeking employment within a ruminant nutrition company, as a technical advisor or an assistant nutritionist. My education at both Harper Adams University and Cornell University has prepared me well for this type of a role, and I am eager to support and improve farm performance. Alongside this, I will be able to still provide a supporting role on the family farm.” 

The other two finalists are Nicola Blowey and Gwesyn Davies.