Hollie Richardson Awarded the Ikin Trophy For The Young Farmer’s Development Award

This year’s Young Farmer Development award was proudly presented to Hollie Richardson at The Royal Cheshire Show.

From an early age, Hollie found herself immersed in the world of farming, eagerly observing the cows being milked, and accompanying her father on the tractor. When asked what she would do with the £500 prize, Hollie wants to invest in an Android tablet and farming data software. During her year out of Harper Adams University, she will use the software to capture data to evaluate geneitic parameters and wellness traits in Holstein cattle. Equipped with a tablet, Hollie can record and analyze this data in a timely and efficient manner. The prize money therefore will not only benefit Hollie, but the farming industry itself.

Richard Ikin created and sponsors the YFD award some years ago. Richard has worked in Human Resources all his career and has always been an advocate of supporting young people at the beginning of their careers especially new emerging talent, together with his enthusiasm for agriculture he decided to sponsor an award which showcases Young Farmers in Cheshire.

In conjunction with Cheshire Young Farmers ( CYF) the first YFDA was awarded in 2016, since which it has gone from strength to strength and is now a regular feature of the show with the award being presented at the end of the second day in the main ring prior to the CYF float competition and advisedly, before the water fight!

The idea behind the award is that the prize money supports the winner’s career/development, with previous award winners spending their money on initiatives such as enhancing existing fudge-making equipment on a small farm shop, upskilling themselves to attend a butchery course, a Sprayer tractor training course, and even a welding course.

Richard adds that in jointly judging the competition, every year, he sees great professionals entering the farming industry, which is very rewarding and encouraging to see and this year was no exception.

In addition, the support from CYF has been fantastic and they are great in promoting the award.