Pfizer Trainee of the Year announced
Suffolk broiler farm manager Rachel Almey is the winner of the 2012 Pfizer Poultry Trainee of the Year Award.
She was presented with the award, which includes a £2,000 training grant, by DEFRA farming minister David Heath at the British Poultry Council’s annual awards ceremony at the House of Commons.
The award, which recognises ability, enthusiasm and commitment to training, is sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health in conjunction with Poultry World and, for the first time, the British Poultry Council.
Ms Almey manages the Vion Food Group’s farm at Laxfield, where her first flock of broilers, grown to higher welfare standards, broke the company’s record for performance.
She started with Vion working in its processing plant at Eye in 2009, but saw her future working with chickens on the farm. After impressing with her dedication and thirst for knowledge on a unit at Foulden in west Norfolk, she embraced the opportunity to manage her own unit at Laxfield.
Vion’s regional broiler manager Werner Strydom stated: “Rachel does not miss anything and this is what makes her such an exceptional farm manager. With continued support, she will be one of our bright stars for a long time to come.”
Ms Almey is completing an NVQ level 3 work-based diploma in agriculture through Poultec Training. She plans to use the training grant to pursue her interest in bird welfare and learn more about the breeding and veterinary side of the business.
The runner-up is Greg Pennington, who worked for Oaklands Farm Eggs for four years at Telford, Shropshire, managing several rearing units and then moving to the enriched colony unit at Harper Adams University College.
He researched hen behaviour and performance through the 24-hour cycle and compared this with hens in a barn system at Oaklands. He has recently started studying for a degree with the Scottish Agricultural College on a distance learning course.