Graduation 2016 - Connor Donaldson poultry awards

Posted 24 October 2016

Connor Donaldson, 23, from Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, received the Axworthy Cup and Robin Faccenda Prize when he graduated from Harper Adams University with a first-class honours degree in Agriculture with Farm Business Management. 

The award, given annually to the student who has obtained top marks in practical and written work during placement year in the Poultry Industry, was presented by lecturer Dr Graham Scott. on behalf of the sponsor. 

Agriculture Placement Manager Terry Pickthall explained why Connor won the prize: 

“Connor spent his placement year working for PD Hook, a leading poultry hatchery and meat producer, as part of a British Poultry Council scholarship. 

“PD Hook were the first poultry business to offer a scholarship alongside placement. Their championing of scholarship and placement as a tool to recruit talent led to the development of the immensely successful British Poultry Council scholarships, which are now in their seventh year and involve 12 companies. 

“Exchanging his home of Northern Ireland for Oxfordshire and Yorkshire, Connor was given the chance to work across PD Hook’s varied business. His roles included acting as relief manager on a free range organic broiler breeder farm. 

“Connor’s placement project looked at the implementation of a 126-egg tray within the hatcheries and found it led to a two per cent increase in hatchability across the business. He achieved excellent results in his assignment work and received a very high employability grade from PD Hook.”

Connor received his award from former chairman of the university Board of Governors, Alison Blackburn.