Holly May Wins the 2026 West Country Dairy Awards

May has pursued interests in genetics and agronomy while gaining experience in dairy through college, university and employment. The organisers said that her industry knowledge, practical background and enthusiasm helped her secure the title at this year’s final.

Speaking about the competition, May said that the process, from her initial application to the final, had been rewarding. She described the recognition of her commitment and ambitions as especially significant, adding that the award would provide both financial assistance and access to new contacts, experiences and opportunities.

May said the prize money would support her education and future plans. She also identified the wider benefits of the award, including increased confidence and knowledge, and said that it had already connected her with people and opportunities she might not otherwise have encountered.

The West Country Dairy Awards were established in 1925 and provide grants for people undertaking dairy-related training. The charitable organisation distributed more than £22,000 this year to young people seeking to build skills and careers in the dairy sector.

Applicants must live in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset or Dorset. Candidates were first interviewed within their counties, after which five applicants were chosen for the final stage. Crediton Dairy hosted this year’s event. The judging panel included Andrew Butler of Crediton Dairy and Dr Karen Wonnacott of Crediton Milling Company.

Wonnacott said the judges had been impressed by the standard of the applicants and by the finalists’ knowledge, professionalism and willingness to learn. The other finalists were Maddie Brown from Devon, Charlotte Cox from Cornwall, Lucie Harvey from Somerset and Sophie Raymond from Dorset. They came from institutions including Aberystwyth University, Bridgwater & Taunton College, Duchy College and Hartpury College.