Trainee farmers at Shuttleworth College have the very best equipment to practise on – including this £22,000 Vicon crop sprayer (pictured).
Workers need a special license to operate this tractor and boom, which is a ticket to employability in the British farming industry.
Toby and Jenson, both aged 18, know they are lucky to be attending the only agricultural college in the region which offers access to the latest equipment.
Shuttleworth College is part of The Bedford College Group and offers progression to degree level courses for school leavers and adults at the fabulous setting of Old Warden Park, near Biggleswade.
Head of Department for Land and Environment Shane Durham said: “Shuttleworth College offers a route in to a career in the fast changing and growing farming industry which is crying out for new talent.”
A wide range of agricultural courses are on offer at a genuine working farm complete with its own sheep and cattle. The Red Poll cattle are kept for both milk and meat. Head of the Herd is the new bull Valentine who will start work shortly. One of the existing family is junior bull Jumbo pictured here with Farm Manager Richard Hellyer and Farm Technician Harry Tearle.
Safety first
Farm safety is one of the most critical lessons to be learned at Shuttleworth College. Farms are full of hazards, not least from heavy machinery and animals (never underestimate the damage caused by a large farm animal treading on your foot).
Pictured here, some of the agricultural trainees model some face masks donated to the college – complete with the special farming social distancing messages of Keep One Cow Apart!
The masks were donated by ADF Milking.
Said Doctor of Agricultural Matt Horne: “This was a relevant way to get over a very topical message.”
