July 2022

July has been a jampacked month with supplier visits, training, a photoshoot, team meetings and lots going on at home.

Camera action

Early in the month, the marketing department invited me to join a photoshoot to promote our VIDA piglet feed range. It was a great experience to visit a customer’s outdoor pig units and gain an understanding of how we generate content to showcase our products in action. I learnt a lot throughout the day from the team involved, which included Pig Technical and Commercial Advisor, Emma Slater, Retail Account Manager, Sian Southwell, Graphic Designer, Adam North, and Head of Marketing and Communication, Holly Goodchild. Thank you for having me and I can’t wait to see the images!

Teamwork

We had our pig sales meeting, which was a great opportunity to meet with colleagues, some of whom I have only spoken to virtually! It was insightful to hear updates from each department and I was able to talk to the team about VIDA performance too.

Trouw Nutrition visit

Emily Morgan (Trainee Account Manager) and I had the opportunity to visit our VIDA feed partner Trouw Nutrition. Richard Remmer, Pig Technical Manager and Pippa Hadley, Monogastric Product Manager gave us a tour around their manufacturing plant and pig department. It was interesting to learn how closely their teams work together to achieve the best nutrition for our customers.

Building knowledge

I attended a fascinating Swine Academy session on UK pig disease at our Shepshed office. The session was delivered by practicing UK pig industry vet Louise Blenkhorn and focused on the current disease challenges the industry faces and the impacts on pig business productivity. We came away with lots of useful tips to share with our customers.

Out of office

It was great to catch up with friends and fellow placement students at the Harper Adams Summer Ball before we head back for our final year. I’ve just moved out of my placement accommodation near Bury St Edmunds to be nearer campus ahead of September.

I also caught up with all my family during a holiday back home in Northern Ireland which was a great way to recharge before the busy months ahead.