A Governor and a Professor at Harper Adams University have seen their contributions to the UK’s food and farming industry marked with Fellowships of the Royal Agricultural Societies.
Professor of Animal Science at Harper Adams University Liam Sinclair and Harper Adams Governor Debbie Winstanley were both awarded their Fellowships (FRAgS) at the ceremony, held by the English Panel of the Council for Awards of the Royal Agricultural Societies in the House of Lords.
Hosted by Lord Taylor of Holbeach FRAgS, the Awards were a celebration of the remarkable personal achievements and contribution of individuals to the many sectors of the food and farming industry.
Recipients are commended for being head and shoulders above their peers in their contribution to the betterment of the food and farming sector in a wide range of ways, including: by supporting charities, innovation and excellence in furthering research, advancing technology and development or holding voluntary roles which underpin the sector.
A Fellowship (FRAgS) or Associateship (ARAgS) is a recognition of outstanding contribution by an individual to the understanding, efficiency and well-being of agriculture.
To date, more than 1,200 individuals have been so recognised and there are currently more than 800 Fellows.
Professor Sinclair was advanced to a Fellowship Award, with support from Mary Quicke MBE and Professor David Leaver, for his work on improving the UK Dairy industry through better dairy cow nutrition.
Meanwhile Debbie Winstanley was advanced to her Fellowship, supported by Dr Alastair Leake and Tony Strawson, for her personal contribution to the benefit of agriculture in the fields of pesticides management, and the wider relationships of farmers, growers and retailers via collaboration, innovation and training.
She said: “I feel very privileged to have been recognised by The Royal Agricultural Society and am very grateful to Dr Alastair Leake, from The Allerton Trust, and indeed many other colleagues – from retailers, supply chains, the potato industry, Harper Adams university and farmers – who have encouraged and supported me over many years.
“What a great time to be part of the food and farming industry!”
And Professor Sinclair added “I am very delighted to have received this award, which is a reflection of the tremendous effort from a large team of undergraduate, postgraduate, post-doctoral, technician and academic colleagues that I have had the pleasure of working with at Harper Adams.”
Professor Sinclair’s research has focussed on reducing the environmental impact of dairy cows with a particular focus on forage management, increasing the health properties of milk and meat, and improving the health and performance of dairy cows.
He recently co-wrote the eighth edition of the international text book Animal Nutrition and is a past-president of the British Society of Animal Science.
Speaking after the event, Nick Green FRAgS, Chairman to the English Panel, said: “We are delighted to be able to organise such a fitting ceremony to highlight individual personal achievement in such a historical and grand setting.
“As an apolitical organisation, we feel that our membership can really lead the industry to step even further forward.
“Today twenty six people from across England have collected the prestigious associate or fellowship award, all whom have been recognised by their peers.”
The event was kindly sponsored by Juno (Plant Protection) Ltd and its Director Nick Tapp added: ‘We are delighted to be able to support the event once again with such an incredible group of inspiring business leaders who have achieved and given so much to the farming industry.
“As leading suppliers of naturally occurring pesticides to the British potato industry, it is an important opportunity to be able to network and celebrate with the very best talent from across the sector.”
