Alice Sault Is Highly Commended as Young Dairy Farmer of the Year

Alice Sault took up the Dairy Manager position at Harper Adams University’s Future Farm last month, after stepping in to manage its dairy herd in January. She has since been appointed permanently to the role and also oversees youngstock.

The Future Farm runs a herd of more than 400 milking cows. According to the award judges, Sault and her team manage the herd through a 40-point rotary parlour, with milking carried out three times a day.

Judges said Sault had developed her skills to lead the dairy operation through substantial changes. They also noted that the farm has to function as a commercial business while supporting teaching and research at the university.

“Managing an educational farm is not easy,” the judges said, adding that they were impressed by what had been achieved for the farm’s current operation and its future. The annual Cream Awards recognise work across the UK dairy industry.

Sault is a Harper Adams alumna and previously used the Future Farm as part of her studies. She said that the farm had allowed students to apply classroom learning in practice. In her current role, she said she had gained a greater understanding of the difficulty of running a working farm while providing students with practical experience.

Sault said she tries to remain accessible to students and to explain the decisions made on the farm. She said it was important to show both the positive and difficult aspects of farming. She advised students to ask questions, take available opportunities and gain as much experience as possible, while not feeling obliged to have their entire careers planned in advance.

Future Farm Director Paul Kelly said Sault had worked with her team to maintain and improve herd health and welfare. Sault described the recognition as a major honour and said she was pleased that her work had been acknowledged. She also said she valued the variety of the job, its practical nature and the opportunity to know the cows individually.