Harper Adams University’s Livestock Market Operations And Management Course Awards Honours Student Achievements
The success of the students from, both England and Scotland, was marked as 30 Livestock Auctioneers from across the UK gathered to continue their studies on the course.
The Livestock Market Operations and Management programme was developed by Dr Mark Simcock in conjunction with the Livestock Auctioneers Association and the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland and has been delivered since 2011 at Harper Adams.
This year, it started with an event to celebrate the graduation of four of its most recent successful students.
Aimie Bisset and Sam Ferguson from Dingwall and Highland Marts, Ellis Mutch from Aberdeen & Northern Marts and Daniel Lynn from Darlington Livestock Market all graduated with a Certificate of Higher Education in Livestock Market Operations and Management, and were presented with their awards by Harper Adams Vice Chancellor, Professor Ken Sloan.
Daniel also received the Livestock Auctioneers Association Gavel for the top graduating student from England and Wales. This was presented by the Chairman of the Livestock Auctioneers Association Alastair Brown, from Bletsoes – who operate out of Thrapston and Stratford Livestock Market.
The MJ Thomson Award for the top graduating student from Scotland was awarded to Ellis, who was presented with his award by Donald Young, Group Director at United Auctions and President of the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland.
The Dick Harrison Trust also made a presentation. The purpose of the trust is to provide education and training by awarding grants for fees or maintenance to persons who are desirous of training, whether at an educational establishment or otherwise, in livestock auctioneering and/or rural estate management.
The award was made to the top first year student and this was awarded to Zanna Dennis, who as well as working at Bentham Livestock Market, also works for the Livestock Auctioneers Association.
This presentation was made by Robert Addison from Hexham Livestock Market.
Course Manager Dr Mark Simcock said: “This was the first time that we have been able to run this programme in its normal slot since 2020
“The pandemic had slowed the progress of our students through this programme and so it was an excellent that Aimie, Sam, Ellis and Daniel stuck with the programme and have now been successful.
“All our farming clients are going to need sound advice from their professional advisors in the years ahead as agricultural policy develops and our graduates today are now in a position to give that advice.”
He thanked all his colleagues at the University for supporting the delivery and assessment of the programme and said he looked forward to continuing the programme.