Three Harper Adams students in the running for RABDF Dairy Student of the year 2020

Posted 9 December 2019

Three Harper Adams students are among five finalists in the RABDF Dairy Student of the year 2020. The competition aims to reflect the need for modern dairy farmers to understand the industry and Charlotte West, Florence Turley and James Gildea are eager to push their careers further and show that hard work pays off.

“I have always had a passion for dairy cows and the dairy industry and could not imagine working in any other sector,” says final year Agriculture with Animal Science student Florence Turley, 22, from Powys in Wales. “I feel this award is recognition of that passion and drive to make an impact on the UK dairy industry. The best part of being a Harper student is the recognition you gain from industry and the links you gain with the wider environment, especially via the placement year.”

All finalists will be giving a 15-minute presentation this week on the theme of “The UK dairy industry in 10 years’ time” to a panel of four judges. Apart from the ability to demonstrate academic strengths, the judges will look for someone who can apply themselves to the technical and management challenges facing dairy farming.

Agriculture student Charlotte West, 22, from Buckinghamshire, has also spoken of her delight at making the finals, saying: “Winning the RABDF Dairy Student of the year 2020 award would be amazing and mean so much to me, knowing that hard work does pay off. The best part of being at Harper is the people, it’s amazing to be surrounded by likeminded people and I've definitely made friends for life.”

The Award operates as a three-tier competition with entrants first asked to submit a written response to a case study to demonstrate their overall knowledge of the industry including current issues and upcoming changes. Finalists are then invited to give a 15-minute presentation at the Farmers Club in London before enjoying lunch with judges and RABDF President, Lord Ewen Cameron.

The award was launched in 1991 and has attracted entries from universities and agricultural colleges across the country ever since. The winner and runner up will be announced in February.