Winner among cream of dairy students
A FORWARD-thinking young farmer from Devon has fended off stiff competition to win a prestigious national award.
Against six other finalists and from one of the biggest entries ever received, Katie Ackland rose to the top in the judging of this year’s Dairy Student of the Year Award, sponsored by Westcountry retailer Mole Valley Farmers.
The competition, run by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF), aims to identify the British dairy sector’s rising stars and new entrants, as well as reflect real life challenges seen on farms and the wider policy issues impacting the agricultural industry.
Katie, who is in her final year of studying Farm Business Management at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, scooped the esteemed accolade after going through a rigorous application process, which included writing a 1,500-word essay on a case study and delivering a presentation to the judges over Zoom.
Speaking afterwards, she said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won. From growing up on my family dairy farm in Devon, through to completing my placement year on a dairy farm in Kent, I have always loved working and being involved within the dairy sector. Winning this award will give me a great opportunity to be recognised within the industry.”
As the winner, Katie takes home a trophy and £750 cash prize.
This year’s Dairy Student of the Year Award saw one of the highest number of entries from universities and colleges right across the UK. The calibre of the entrants was so impressive that seven individuals were shortlisted in the finals rather than five.
Judge and vice-chair of the RABDF, Di Wastenage, said she was “really impressed” with the quality of the finalists in this year’s competition.
Mrs Wastenage, who is a director of her family’s dairy farming business Wastenage Farms, based in Budleigh Salterton, and was recently recognised in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List with an MBE for her services to the British dairy industry, added: “Students from six universities and colleges ensured it was very competitive and a really difficult job for the judging panel.”
Fellow judge Robin Hawkey, from sponsors Mole Valley Farmers, said the “passion and commitment” from all candidates was admirable and to be congratulated: “The entrants were of a very high standard, demonstrating good knowledge of the current industry, but also of the challenges the industry faces with ideas and suggestions for the way forward.”