FOUR FINALISTS have attended an interview and presentation session vying for the Beef Shorthorn Society’s beef student of the year title.

Students who wished to participate were encouraged to apply from across the UK, and, in total, 16 people submitted an application, which required them to write a 1500 word essay about the future of beef suckler production, and also compile a tweet on Twitter which promoted the beef industry.

Those producing the four top essays were invited to make a presentation which demonstrated an understanding of the industry, the challenges it faces post-Brexit, and how farmers will need to respond.

Of the four finalists, one Scottish student took part – Katie Landers, 20, who studies a BSc in Agriculture, and is in third year at SRUC Edinburgh.

Winning the award was Orla Kelly, 20, who is in second year at CAFRE’s Greenmount Campus, Northern Ireland, where she studies a BSc (Hons) in Agricultural Technology.

Two of the four finalists came from England, with Elizabeth Johnson, 26, who studies a BSc in Animal Science at Newcastle University, coming from Northumberland, and Chris Freeman, who studies a MSc in Ruminant Nutrition at Harper-Adams, coming from Shropshire.

Running for the first year, the accolade ensured that the winning student received £2000 funding, to be used in development within the beef industry, and a further £1000 of funding for the student’s college, which should be used for a beef educational project.

Judging the competition was immediate past president of the Beef Shorthorn Society, Geoff Riby, society communications manager, Liz Snaith, and QMS head of economics, Stuart Ashworth.

Miss Kelly, from a suckler beef and sheep farm in Downpatrick, Co Down, commented: “I’m thrilled to win this first time award. The process has helped me to grow in confidence, to share my ideas built on the knowledge I’ve gained from working on the family farm virtually all of my life, and in my studies at university.

“My family’s decision to change its suckler finishing enterprise strategy also helped to inspire my presentation.”

Commenting on the competition, Mr Ashworth said: “It’s been a pleasure to come here and judge this competition, and it’s been a pleasure to meet these students.

“They are a credit to themselves, and to the establishments they are associated with, and all of them have really given us something to think about, especially during such a difficult time for the sector.

“We awarded the prize to Orla because we recognized her slightly more holistic approach to building a sustainable red meat sector, requiring greater communication of knowledge and ideas through the wider supply chain. This also influenced the selection of breeding stock and farm management practices that would deliver a profitable suckler herd.”

On whether the award is likely to continue each year, Mr Riby commented: “We hope to continue the award annually.

“There is a lot of good, young talent out there, which showed because all of the entries were excellent and of a really high standard, and this award was a great opportunity for those four finalists to have that chance to shine!”

In terms of the society, Mr Riby also added: “Our society is doing really well, and we have a plan, and are very focused and encouraging of the next generation overall.

“I would say we are pretty cohesive and we are very lucky to have such a sound board of directors, with a strong and progressive focus within the society.”