It was my intention to put this bit in my actual column but unfortunately I ran out of words so it's had to be put in here.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I've had the privilege this year of being awarded NIAB TAG's ASSET award- a bursary scheme for one student from each of the four main agricultural universities. The selection process has two main components: a written scientific report on a piece of your own work and then a formal interview with a couple of NIAB TAG employees. Not only am I extremely grateful for the bursary, the contacts and opportunities gained have been excellent.

For example, at the beginning of January I got to spend a few days at NIAB in Cambridge on a communications course. The course was funded by two organisations: the Felix Thornley Cobbold Trust and the John Forrest Memorial Award, and I am obviously extremely grateful to both.

Organisations like these sometimes get a little forgotten by the time their funded projects have been completed, but I think it's incredibly important to recognise them as valuable contributors to agricultural research, education and welfare of the industry. It is a testament to the foresight of Felix Cobbald, whose bequest after his death over 100 years ago is still being used to good effect so many years later. The John Forrest Memorial Award was set up much more recently in memory of John Forrest, a respected farmer in East Anglia. It was really nice to speak to John's son the other day, and I hope his scheme can continue to benefit the industry for the years to come too.