Co Down Student Awarded Two Prizes

Posted 11 October 2004

Judith McGaffin, of Katesbridge, Banbridge, has been awarded two prizes in recognition of her excellent student work. Firstly, she is the recipient of the POULTRY INDUSTRY EDUCATIONAL TRUST AWARD 2004, which is awarded to students of Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, who display outstanding performance in poultry related studies.

The 23-year-old was also the winner of the WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF FARMERS AWARD 2004 for the best BSc Agriculture (plus routes) final year student with top marks for an Investigations Project.

Judith thesis was entitled: ‘The evaluation of in-feed cut conditioners on the health and performance of artificially reared beef calves’. Judith spent her industrial training year with Norbrook Laboratories analysing veterinary samples. She achieved a mark of 84 per cent for her final year Investigational Project.

Judith was awarded both prizes at the University College’s annual graduation ceremony last month, where she also collected an Upper Second Class BSc Honours in Agriculture with Animal Science.

Tutor, Dr Graham Scott, said: “Judith undertook a difficult role and responsibility in her final year poultry project. Her project on egg marketing and the defence of her work was exemplary.”

Judith, a former pupil of Dromore High School and Banbridge Academy, is now studying for a Masters Degree, in association with Queens University, Belfast, and Loughry College, Cookstown, Northern Ireland.