Dairy Student Award 2024

Sponsored by ForFarmers

Applications to the 2024 Dairy Student of the Year award are now OPEN.

RABDF offers the chance for agricultural colleges and universities in the UK to enter the Dairy Student Award each year.

Peers, companies and prospective employers highly regard the award and is open to entrants studying at universities and colleges across the UK.

To enter, university and college course leaders must nominate applicants for the award by emailing benmcadam@rabdf.co.uk with the nominee's details.

Each shortlisted student has to undertake a case study business appraisal to get into the final and provide a 15-minute presentation to an audience of experts at the Famers' Club in London. 

The winning student is announced at Dairy-Tech in February and takes home a £750 cash prize.

If you have any questions about the competition or require further information, please contact benmcadam@rabdf.co.uk


Dairy Student Award 2023

Since the launch of the Award in 1991 the participation and enthusiasm of the colleges and universities has been outstanding. After one of the highest number of entries for some time, Rebecca Smith a student from Harper Adams University, was named as the winner. The runner up was Jack Howard, also from Harper Adams University.

The competition reflects the need for modern dairy farmers to understand the industry, its strengths and weaknesses, and how best to apply farming methods to achieve optimum results.  Apart from the ability to demonstrate academic strengths, the judges will look for someone who can apply themselves to the technical and management challenges facing dairy farming. 

The also look for a candidate who has a good understanding of a number of wider issues affecting the industry, is ambitious and likely to move upwards on the career ladder. The winning student receives a trophy and a cash prize.

This year the award operated as a two-tier competition:

  • Students were asked to submit a written response to a case study to demonstrate their overall knowledge of the industry including current issues and upcoming changes.

  • Seven finalists were invited to give a ten minute presentation on their thoughts about the how the industry might need to change to meet the demands of the future. The judging panel then put questions to the finalists in a 15 minute Q&A session.

The final interviews were held on the 9th of December at the Farmers Club in London. The winner was then announced at Dairy Tech 2023.

2023 Dairy Student of the Year winner Rebecca Smith said of the award:

Why you originally entered the competition – I entered the competition because I had heard that it was a prestigious award in the dairy industry, it would be a great opportunity to learn from and meet others in the industry, as well as open up doors for future opportunity. It was a great way to get my profile out there and for networking as well.”

What it meant to win – “I am humbled to have won the award against some strong competition and I hope that I can help to promote the dairy industry and especially women in dairy in the future.”

What the placement at Mole Valley means to you – The placement offered would allow me to understand and widen my knowledge of different aspects of the dairy supply chain and how this is integrated into the rest of the dairy industry.”

What opportunities you think it might bring in the future – “It is a great addition to my CV for future applications whether it be job applications or to meet my goal of becoming a Nuffield Scholar. I hope it gives me the opportunity to promote dairy farming and inspire other people to have a career in the dairy industry as well.”