Harper Adams University students receive BDCI Bursary
The Butchers’ & Drovers’ Charitable Institution (BDCI) has given Bursary’s to two students; Kate Leeming, 22, and Harriet Noble, 23.
Pictured L to R is visiting Professor Bob Bansback of Harper Adams University, Kate Leeming, Harriet Noble and Ted Hoefling, the BDCI treasurer.
Kate Leeming, from Skipton is an Agri-Food Marketing with Business Studies student, and Harriet Noble, from Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire is a final year Agriculture with Animal Science student.
Kate Leeming said: “I come from a dairy farming background and I have always been passionate about food and agriculture. The Agri-Food Marketing with Business studies course at Harper Adams University seemed a perfect fit for my interests and knowledge, and I am now in my final year having thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of my course. I am incredibly grateful to the BDCI for offering this bursary to me.”
Harriet Noble added: “Growing up on a beef and sheep farm in West Yorkshire meant that much of our production was focussed on the livestock and meat trade, igniting a passion for livestock farming in me from a young age.
“The Butchers and Drovers Bursary Award allows an opportunity for livestock orientated students like myself to pursue a career in the meat trade upon graduation from Harper Adams University. This bursary will allow me to undertake the qualifications required to make me more employable, for example artificial insemination qualification, towing trailer license and foot trimming.”
Planning forward
Kate Leeming added: “Upon receiving the award in 2019, I plan on investing the money in some Hereford cattle, with a view to rearing them, getting them in-calf and selling them prior to calving. Having the opportunity to do this with the bursary money will allow me to gain first hands experience of owning my own cattle and further my understanding of the beef industry.
“I completed my placement year in industry with Co-op and ABP and I had the opportunity to further my knowledge about the beef supply chain.
“I am also hoping to use the scholarship award to travel to the USA and explore the beef production systems there. I would like to thank the Butchers’ & Drovers’ Charitable Institution for allowing me to have this opportunity and I hope that I will be able to offer a scholarship one day following my success in the industry.”
Harriet Noble also confirmed travel plans: “During my placement year, I used some of the money from the bursary to purchase 20 Texel X breeding sheep, of which the lambs were finished on our upland farm and sold through our family butchery business, and the breeding ewes were then sold on as I prepared to return to university.
“This allowed me to gain knowledge of the meat supply chain, some of which I will use in my future career.
“Upon graduation from Harper Adams, I intend to travel to New Zealand and Australia undertaking work placements to gain an insight into alternative livestock production systems where I will gain the skills necessary for my future career path. Only the money that the BDCI kindly awarded me has allowed me to do this.”
Industry charity
The BDCI provides support for anyone in the UK and the Republic of Ireland who may need assistance and who has been connected with the meat trade, as well as their widows/widowers or dependents. Help is available, for those who may be struggling to cope, for a variety of needs including paying bills, repairs to the home, mobility equipment and nursing home fees. BDCI also offer bursaries for students to support the future of the industry.
Further details and a copy of the application form can be found on the BDCI’s website: http://www.bdci.org.uk
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