Yorkshire Agricultural Society Announces Nuffield Scholars
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society has announced it is to support two Nuffield Farming Scholars for the year 2003. The Society, which is best known as the organiser of the annual Great Yorskhire Show, has sponsored scholars for many years as part of its on-going commitment to supporting the farming industry.
Announcing the scholarships, Nigel Pulling Chief Executive said: "These provide a wonderful opportunity for those within agriculture to further their knowledge at an international level, meet some of the key people within the industry and generally broaden their farming horizons. Our two scholars are extremely worthy recipients and I am sure will not only increase their knowledge, but be excellent ambassadors for British agriculture."
Scholarships have been awarded to David Cousins, General Manager of JSR Arable Farms and Steven Lofthouse who is a partner in the family hill farm at Norwood near Harrogate.
David will study the importance and application of scale in UK agriculture to look at whether integration and collaboration can achieve the necessary scale to take out cost across the entire supply chain. During his visits to America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand he plans to look at how businesses have been successful in doing this and what mechanisms and methods would be most appropriate for adopting in the UK.
In complete contrast, Steven has chosen to study organic milk production, including processing and consumer trends. He too plans to visit America and Europe and is particularly interested in marketing and the relationship between organic production and countryside management. His interest was fired by the recent decision to move into the family dairy herd into organic production. The farm lies within both a LFA and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
David and Steven began their scholarships with visits to Wye College in Kent, to Brussels and Paris meeting EC and national agriculture representatives, followed by tours of farms in Brittany.
