Chloe Alexander, who works for an egg producer on the Irish border, was presented with the 2024 Zoetis-NFU Poultry Trainee Award by Will Raw, then-vice-chair of the NFU Poultry Board, at the 58th annual EPIC Conference.
The NFU/Zoetis award offers a £1,000 training grant and the opportunity to attend sector leading events in a bid to promote the poultry careers of up-and-coming members.
Chloe receives a £1,000 training grant sponsored by Zoetis with the runner-up Oladele Onada also benefiting from expenses-paid participation in the conference.
The award highlights the talent, enthusiasm and ambition of many who are making a career in the poultry industry and, as with past winners and finalists, will progress to more senior roles.
Many did not leave school looking to work in the sector, often becoming impressed by its increasing technology and career opportunities.
Fast-rising winner
Chloe, who lives in County Fermanagh, graduated with a degree in agriculture at Greenmount College in County Antrim and started her career with Moy Park working in their broiler department.
She joined egg producers Greenfield Foods across the Irish border at Smithborough, County Monaghan, in 2023.
She took over her field officer role from a very experienced member of staff when he retired two years ago, becoming one of two people responsible for almost 100 farms.
She is now taking a two-year Applied Poultry Science course with SRUC (Scotland's Rural College)/University of Edinburgh.
“Training and development are important in any role and it is vital to invest in people to recruit and retain the variety of skills needed throughout the supply chain.”
NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony
‘Poultry sector has a lot to offer’
“The award has proved a great initiative highlighting the wealth of young talent seeing a future in the industry,” said James Porritt, Zoetis UK Pig and Poultry Lead.
“For almost 20 years, it has brought in a great pipeline which is benefiting the industry today.”
NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony said: “It is really pleasing to see this important award going from strength to strength. The NFU is delighted to continue supporting this, which helps highlight the dedication, diversity and development of people working within the poultry sector.
“The great thing about this award is that there is no age limit and it is open to everybody working in the poultry sector, regardless of business scale or size and whether in poultry meat or eggs.
“Training and development are important in any role and it is vital to invest in people to recruit and retain the variety of skills needed throughout the supply chain. The poultry sector has a lot to offer people looking for a progressive and rewarding career.
“I’d like to encourage everyone involved in the poultry supply chain to identify someone they feel could benefit from the recognition and reward that this award provides and to support them to make an application.”
Young people are the ‘lifeblood of the industry’
EPIC organiser Howard Birley said: “Our organising committee strongly believes that young people are the lifeblood of our industry, and we are very happy to be involved and support this initiative.”
The winner of the 2025 Zoetis-NFU Poultry Trainee Award will be announced at a presentation at the British Pig and Poultry Fair in May 2026 in Birmingham, with plans for EPIC to host the event in alternate years with no fair.
