William Awan

Harper Adams University

Sponsored by: Kubota

From a non-farming background, William grew up in a family of medical professionals and is now in his second year of an agriculture with animal science degree, about to embark on a placement year in the dairy industry with Arla Foods and McDonalds.

Starting out with a small herd of pedigree Dexter cattle and a flock of turkeys to friends, family and the public, William used the money he made from selling beef and turkeys to invest in a flock of Exmoor Horn sheep.

By the age of 15, Will had entered in to a 50:50 partnership deal with local farmer Bob Honey and together they raise Hereford cattle for beef and breeding, with both traditional and polled lines in their herd.

William is in charge of the marketing of their produce and has used his skills in this field to develop his own agri-marketing business where he has also developed collateral for other companies. He was also instrumental pedigree Hereford sales, as well as a sheep show held online during lockdown in 2020.

Breed success

William has enjoyed success with his flock of Exmoor Horn sheep including male and reserve breed champion at the Royal Welsh Show.

With his Hereford cattle, William has achieved many prizes, including reserve breed champion at the Royal Bath and West Show and reserve senior female champion at the national polled Hereford show.

He was also awarded inter-breed junior handler at the Royal Welsh Show.

Judging panel

An active and competing member of Hereford youth organisation since 2017, he is also part of the Exmoor Horn society judging panel and will judge at the national Exmoor Horn sale.

While at university, William has been awarded two scholarship opportunities, the NFU Mutual Undergraduate award and the Dartington Cattle Breeders Trust Scholarship.

After graduating, William intends to continue farming with his business partner and combine this with a career in marketing and promotion of businesses along with his interest in genetics and breeding.

Proudest moment:

“I am proud to have set up my own business aged 15. A fifty per cent partnership since day one where I have been responsible for all the buying and selling of cattle, investing my own and my partner’s money thanks to his trust. This year is forecast to be particularly profitable and we are breeding cattle we believe the market requires. I have learnt so much from my business partner who has many years of farming experience.”

At a glance:

  • Non farming background
  • Established flock of pedigree Exmoor Horn sheep
  • Confirmed a 50:50 partnership deal with local farmer to raise Herefords for breeding and beef
  • Established own marketing company
  • Member of Hereford Youth since 2017
  • Co-planned an online Sheep Show during Covid welcoming more than 1,600 entries
  • Committee member of the Bath Youth Climate Summit for four years
  • Work placement with Arla Food and McDonalds Progressive Young Farmer Program
  • Undertaken judging role

Awards include:

  • Exmoor Horn Society Outstanding Young Shepherd
  • Exmoor Horn Society’s President’s Prize
  • Champion at Exmoor Horn show
  • Male and reserve champion at the Royal Welsh Show
  • Junior Handler at the Royal Welsh Show
  • Breed champion at Devon County Show