Poultry Business has launched the National Egg and Poultry Awards 2020, with an increased focus on youth.
Three new categories have been introduced this year, aimed at rewarding young people in the industry. The judges will be looking to recognise a Young Farmer, a Young Processor and a Young Farm Vet at the prestigious awards in London in July.
Poultry Business publisher and organiser of the awards, Simon Lewis, said: “The National Egg and Poultry Awards have been a great success since they launched in 2018 and we are looking forward to another great event in 2020. “These three new awards reflect our desire to promote and reward young people in the industry, as they are the future.”
To enter or nominate please visit www.nationaleggandpoultryawards.co.uk, where you can read more about the event, the categories, the judging criteria, and importantly, complete your application.
The categories
POULTRY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
This award is for the best poultry business in Britain. The business will be able to demonstrate year-on-year growth, will be highly efficient, financially sound and be at the forefront of technological developments and innovation. The business will have strong and passionate leaders who value their committed workforce, and the marketing plan will provide a road map for the future of the business.
BREEDING UNIT OF THE YEAR
Open to breeders of both broilers and layers. The judges will be looking for strong performance against KPIs, including hatchability rates, number of eggs per bird, mortality rate and feed intake. The winner will have a track record of committing to regular staff training and maintaining a biosecure unit.
HATCHERY OF THE YEAR
This category is for both broiler and layer hatcheries. The judges will be looking for strong performance against KPIs, including number of viable chicks per egg and egg utilisation. Hatcheries have an increased responsibility when it comes to biosecurity, which will be reflected in the judges’ thoughts, as will the unit’s commitment to staff training.
GROWER OF THE YEAR
The Grower of the Year will need to demonstrate outstanding feed conversion rates and daily liveweight gains, as well as low mortality and a history of achieving target weights. The judges will also be looking for evidence of a partnership approach when it comes to the processors, in which the grower uses the processors’ knowledge to advance the business.
PULLET REARER OF THE YEAR
The Pullet Rearer of the Year will need to demonstrate they are continually on target, with high flock evenness and a low mortality. The judges would like to see evidence of communication with the egg producer, with regular updates on pullet performance to provide insight down the chain.
EGG PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
The judges will be looking for strong performance against KPIs, including number of eggs per bird, hens housed and hen days, mortality, feed intake, egg weight and seconds percentage. The winner will have a track record of committing to regular staff training and maintaining a biosecure unit.
PROCESSOR OF THE YEAR
The winning poultry processor will be a highly efficient business and will have forged fruitful relationships with retailers. The business will be committed to investing in staff and machinery alike and will be able to provide evidence investment is delivering results. They will take a partnership rather than transactional approach to the relationship with their growers, and provide detailed feedback on how the producer can enhance their results.
EGG PACKER OF THE YEAR
The winner will be able to demonstrate a combination of outstanding production performance, a commitment to investment (both in terms of machinery and in people), and a desire to innovate. The judges will also be looking for evidence of a solid, sustainable business model, and the successful implementation of a marketing plan. They will take a partnership rather than transactional approach to the relationship with the egg producer and provide detailed feedback on how the producer can enhance their results.
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
The winner must demonstrate any initiative, new idea or business development concept that has come to fruition in the last 12 months and is demonstrably new in the business. It can encompass site development, investment, a business scheme, or anything that has paid dividends. The award is open to any farm, processor or packing site in the business of poultry.
UNIT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
This category is open to managers of units in either meat or egg production. Nominations for this category can be made by the employing farmer or by the employee him/herself. If the latter, a reference from the owner will be required. Judges will be looking for evidence of how the manager has driven the business forward as well as excellence in motivating staff, hitting targets and commitment to record-keeping.
YOUNG FARMER OF THE YEAR
This category is open to any individual born after 1 January 1980 working in a poultry meat or egg farming business. Nominations for this category can be made by the employer or by the employee him/herself. Judges will be looking for a high achieving individual who has brought new ideas to the business and is able to demonstrate a commitment to the industry.
YOUNG PROCESSOR OF THE YEAR
This category is open to any individual working in an egg packing or meat processing plant who was born after 1 January 1980. Nominations for this category can be made by the employer or by the employee him/ herself. Judges will be looking for evidence of new initiatives introduced to the business, a commitment to the industry, and an all-round superstar.
YOUNG FARM VET OF THE YEAR
The relationship between vet and poultry producer has never been more crucial, and this award will recognise their often unheralded contribution, while emphasising the importance of attracting graduate vets to the industry. To qualify, the vet must have been born after 1 January 1980 and have been qualified for fewer than 10 years.