08 December 2008

Interview with Laurie Brown Ellis, Omagh, by Dr David Patterson, CAFRE.

Laurie – you are doing work experience at present…why?

The work experience component of my Higher National Diploma in Agriculture at CAFRE is compulsory. I have already completed the required period of farm work experience and am now doing the industrial experience component. The three months spent on an arable farm in Essex (Israel’s farms) was great and the industry work in Scotts Feeds Ltd is a brilliant contrast.

Why did you choose to work at Scotts Feeds Ltd?

I wanted to gain an insight into the feed compounding industry. My tutor informed me that Scotts were interested in taking on a student this year. Being local I also knew some people who worked there so it was a terrific opportunity to get a different perspective on the farming industry.

What are you working on at present?

At the present I am working as a Laboratory Assistant to the Quality Assurance Manager, in the Quality Control Laboratory, I test incoming feed samples for consistency and quality. The meals and raw materials are tested using Near Infra Red Spectroscopy – for protein, oil, fibre and ash levels etc. I am getting to grips with the science behind the analysis which I find fascinating! Later I hope to move on to Customer Service within the company to broaden my experience further.

What skills are you developing in the job?

Apart from the various laboratory practices and safety procedures, I have also seen how important it is to meet the targets for sample turn around. You also have to have good skills in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), report writing as well as good all-round organisational ability.

Are you already able to see how a feed mill operates?

Although I have only been here for a relatively short time I can already see how there needs to be good communication throughout the company, from the customers’ orders right through to production and delivery of feed to the farm.

What is the biggest contrast with this role and the arable farm work you did previously?

Obviously this work is further detached from the day to day work on a farm but maybe that is not such a bad thing – both the farmer and the compounder have to work together successfully, for both to stay in business.

What about a job in the feed compounding for you in the future?

I would certainly give it some thought. I am really interested in the science behind the manufacture of animal feeds –we’ll see what happens after I finish the HND!

Laurie plans to work at Scotts feeds Ltd until February 2009 after which he will return to complete his HND Agriculture in September.

For further information on this and other courses available in CAFRE

Laurie Brown Ellis at work in the laboratory

Laurie Brown Ellis outside Scotts Feeds Ltd., Omagh