Promising postgraduate student named as Centenary Award bursary winner

Posted 4 December 2023

A promising postgraduate agricultural student from Cornwall has been selected to receive a Centenary Award bursary from The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.

Peter Reis, from Saltash, was selected for the award to support his MSc in Ruminant Nutrition at Harper Adams University.

The course explores current and new approaches for ruminant nutrition, which can then be applied in practice on the farm.

Peter, who works full time as a Ruminant Nutritionist at Mole Valley Feed Solutions, is undertaking his Master’s on a part-time basis over two years to help bring new and novel techniques to the farmers he serves.

He said: “I have a real passion to learn about and pioneer new feeding techniques to increase the efficiency of dairy, beef and sheep farms in the region, whilst also decreasing the carbon footprint of the industry.

“My goal is to become a leader in nutrition within Cornwall and Devon, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to enhance my knowledge and advance my career position with the support of this prestigious award.”

Alongside his work and studies, Peter is very active in his local community as Vice-Chairman for his local Young Farmers’ Club Landrake, which includes organising charity fundraisers and the club’s involvement in county competitions.

The Centenary Award was launched by rural insurer NFU Mutual to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010; to support agricultural leaders of the future, and champion research and innovation within the industry.

It provides annual bursaries to pay up to 75 per cent of course fees for selected postgraduate students in agriculture, and Peter was one of only three students from across the UK to have been chosen for the award in 2023.

To select the award recipients, the judging panel looked for applicants who are not only excellent academic performers, but also have a real passion for UK agriculture and demonstrate potential to become a future industry leader.

Announcing the award’s recipients for 2023, Jim McLaren MBE, NFU Mutual Chairman, said: “Our Centenary Award bursary scheme aims to champion research and innovation for the UK agricultural industry, whilst also supporting passionate individuals to advance their careers.

“We are delighted to be supporting Peter’s postgraduate course with our Centenary Award bursary and wish him all the very best for his studies.”

Peter was only one of three people to be chosen for this year's awards - with Harper alumna Megan Phillips, a BSc (Hons) Agri-Business alumna, also chosen and helped with her postgraduate studies.

Centenary Award bursaries will again be available in 2024.

Applications for the award next year will be invited by NFU Mutual from the start of January.  In the meantime, information about the scheme can be found on the NFU Mutual website nfumutual.co.uk, by searching ‘Centenary Award.’

Prospective postgraduate agricultural students who would like to find out more about the award can also contact centenary_award@nfumutual.co.uk